Though raised an atheist, I’ve felt mystical flowerings since childhood, especially in nature. This capacity helped me cope with a childhood beset by neglect, bereavement, and abuse.
In my twenties, grappling with emotional pain due to formative trauma and inherited mood instability, I sought psycho-spiritual help. I turned to counseling, 12-step programs, and silent worship in the Quaker tradition—the religion of my ancestors. These resources provided the guidance I needed to complete my education and begin work as a surgeon.
Unfortunately, spinal problems cut my career short in my early forties. In the midst of chronic pain, career loss, and deteriorating mental health, I experienced powerful spiritual visions. In the aftermath, I deepened my meditation practice and converted to Roman Catholicism.
The mystical flowers of childhood had wilted during my biomedical education, but now—after the visions—they began bearing fruit.
As my spirituality ripened, I pursued additional traditions, including Theravada Buddhism, Raja Yoga, Chinese Medicine, non-dual spirituality, and somatic therapy. I also completed several spiritually-oriented trainings.
As I combined my growing interest in spirituality with my longstanding love of living things and nature, Mindful Biology was born.
List of spiritual education programs:
- Medical Acupuncture Training: Helms Medical Institute, Berkeley CA
- Yoga Teacher Training: Niroga Institute, Oakland CA
- Spiritual Direction Training: Interfaith Chaplaincy Institute, Berkeley CA
- Hospice Volunteer Training: Zen Caregiving Project, San Francisco CA