Alex’s journey into Buddhism began in 2000, with the reading of Awakening the Buddha Within, by Lama Surya Das. For the next several years she studied with Lama Surya Das and Lama John Makransky, attending annual retreats. Over the past 20 years, Alex has had the good fortune of participating in programs and retreats with several teachers and lineages, offered by Sharon Salzberg, Tsoknyi Rinpoche, Anam Thubten, Thich Nhat Hanh, and the Shambhala organization.
In 2010, Alex met and became a student of Yongey Mingyur Rinpoche, attending multiple retreats a year with Tergar (Rinpoche’s organization). For the four years that Rinpoche was on retreat himself, Tsoknyi Rinpoche was her primary teacher.
In 2018 Alex had the opportunity to hear Lama Willa talking about Buddhism and climate change. Moved by her commitment to the natural world and issues of social justice, Alex attended her first retreat at Wonderwell. This opened up the path for her in a profound way. She resonates deeply with the intention of honoring the feminine, bringing new awareness to rich traditions, and cherishing the natural world.
In 2019, Alex began the Margha Program and has found it to be very rich and powerfully supportive. She especially values the balance of resources offered, including deep teachings, present leadership, and a caring sangha. Personally, she has found the wisdom and compassion of the sangha and mitras truly inspiring.
Mitra
This will be my second year as a Mitra and I am thrilled and humbled to be able to embrace this role. The Margha Program has been so important to me that I welcome the opportunity to help bring it to others.
For the past decade, I have been fascinated by the many ways the natural world supports meditation and reminds us about present-moment awareness, impermanence, and interdependence.
Currently, I live outside Minneapolis with my wife, MB, our two cats, and a big sweet puppy. In my work as a psychologist, I love using/teaching mindfulness-based practices to help bring a bit of healing and self-compassion. When not working, I cherish time outdoors. My wife and I enjoy hiking, kayaking, and traveling. I am also certified as a Forest Bathing Guide.
