At a time of transition in my life many years ago, while travelling in India I discovered the teachings of the Buddha. They were a revelation, and I immersed myself in vipassana practice.
I like to say that the experience opened my spiritual eye. I have been practicing ever since; initially alone, then at the Insight Meditation Society in Massachusetts for years, then with Ajahn Viradhammo, a monk in the Thai forest tradition.
Then in 2005 I went to my first Shinzen retreat. I was drawn by his teachings on pain and difficult emotions, and quickly became engaged by his brilliant innovations in mindfulness. I have attended a retreat of his twice a year since then, home practice programs for years, and enrolled in facilitator training in 2012.