Some 35 years ago, a series of synchronicities led me to Vermont to attend a retreat led by Cherokee teacher, Venerable Dhyani Ywahoo. I didn't know I was going there to study Native American spirituality. Since she is a recognized teacher in the Tibetan Buddhist Drinkung Kagyu and Nyingma lineages, I went seeking out these teachings. But it was the Tsalagi practices that blew my heart open. 

So, a doorway opened. My life was never to be the same as my path led me to study with many medicine people and spiritual leaders, including Puma Fredy Singona Qispe of the Q'ero Rainbow lineage of Chincheros and various western shamanic teachers, including  Alberto Villoldo, founder of the Four Winds Healing the Light Body School. In the meantime, I also continued on and off in the 90s and early 2000s to pursue the study of Vipassana and continued my academic research and training in violence, trauma, healing and peace. 

I always say that Native American spirituality of both North and South America saved my life. I would not have been able to heal the trauma I carried without it. Within them is an ancient, special power and magic for the restoration of the open heart and a mind of peace. 

Since 2007, I have been in service to thousands as a shamanic energy healer. I was invited to teach the shamanic path of the mesa from Peru in 2010. I have brought elements of these spiritual ways into academic courses I have developed and taught.  

Finally, at the age of 63, after 2 decades of this work, I decided to bring together all that I have learned, all that I teach, all that I do under the purview of an Institute. The name, "Awakened Heart" embodies the central message of my path and teachings--what I consider to be the root message in all these luminous lineages--the power of love and compassion to heal ourselves and the world.