Buddhist
Sister Barani
Sister Barani has been a student of Vajrayana Buddhism for over 35 years. She graduated from Naropa University in 1985 with a Master degree in Contemplative Psychotherapy. She currently reside at Heartwood Refuge and Retreat Center
Dr. Sonja Williams MD
Dr Sonja Williams, DO is a board certified practicing obstetrician gynecologist in Rolla MO. Her journey has included work as a psychiatric aide in her hometown of Farmington, and as a registered nurse in both psychiatric and forensic fields. She graduated from OB/GYN residency training in 2006, and has been practicing in Missouri since. Her […]
Dr. Donald Rothberg
Donald Rothberg, Ph.D., is a member of the Teachers Council at the Spirit Rock Center in California. He has practiced Insight Meditation since 1976 and also received training in Tibetan Dzogchen and Mahamudra practice, in the Hakomi approach to body-based psychotherapy, and in the Somatic Experiencing approach to working with trauma. Formerly on the faculties of the […]
David McKay
David McKay, author of "The One Open Door: Adventures of a Zen Buddhist Monk", entered a Zen Buddhist monastery at the age of twenty-nine. He spent the next eighteen years training there in silence. Over time he became a skilled facilitator and counselor, offering retreats and workshops at the monastery and across the country. David left the monastery […]
Nick Kranz
Nick Kranz is an experienced and dynamic meditation teacher with a passion for sharing authentic wisdom. He’s interested in social innovation, cultural transformation, and collaborative business that positively impacts society. He has Studied with Khenpo Tsultirm Gyampsto Rinpoche, Sakyong Mipham Rinpoche and Khandro Rinpoche, as well as many other western and Tibetan Teachers, receiving the […]
other Monastic Teachers
This includes Monastics currently residing or guests at Heartwood Refuge who share the Dharma.
Cynthia Calhoun
Cynthia is a spiritual blogger, author, artist, and a McLean Meditation Institute Certified Meditation & Mindfulness Teacher. Cynthia first encountered meditation in 2002 and started her practice regularly in 2008 as part of her spiritual journey. She also discovered that meditation really helped to alleviate the stress and anxiety she felt while living the challenges […]
Sister True Moon of Clear Suchness
Sister True Moon of Clear Suchness received ordination in the Plum Village Vietnamese Zen tradition (Thich Nhat Hanh). She was ordained in Deer Park Monastery on September 9, 2019 and has recently left and took refuge in Heartwood Refuge. Being apart of the community here at Heartwood Refuge and Retreat Center has given her the […]
Venerable Soma Bhikkhuni
Venerable Soma is ordained as a Theravadan Monk and has resided at Heartwood Refuge since 2019. During this time she has been the assistant to Venerable Pannavati, Abbot and the coordinator of Treasure Human Life, developing educational programs for Dalit children in India, migrant camp for children and other service programs. Prior to taking and […]