Kevin Lacroix

Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Certified UM Teacher/Trainer

I began meditating in 2010 with Jeff Warren, in the early days of the Consciousness Explorer’s Club, having realized that my sense of self-worth had become completely trapped in a need to stay busy with projects and deadlines in order to justify my existence — to feel like I mattered. I wanted to find what I felt must be available at a deeper level: a completeness independent of productivity or busyness; a sense of wholeness and ease in simply being alive.

Jeff introduced me to Shinzen Young, and I began attending his semi-annual residential retreats at Mount Carmel Spiritual Centre. Eventually I started leading group meditations with the CEC and realized that sharing practice with others would become central to my path. Around this same time, a vehicle for training teachers and coaches in Shinzen’s system was launching: Unified Mindfulness. After completing my certification, I went on to become an Instructor for UM’s Pathways and Compass programs, and continue to serve as a Mentor for teachers-in-training, offer courses, and lead workshops for monthly subscribers as well as for the general public.

 

While my practice and teaching are primarily rooted in the Unified Mindfulness framework, I continue to be influenced and inspired by many contemporary teachers from various traditions — among them Andrew Holecek, Pema Chödrön, James Low, Henry Shukman, Joseph Goldstein, Kelly Boys, David Treleaven, and Michael Taft. I have also recently begun formal Rinzai Zen training with Minakawa Rōshi, attending sesshins at Mount Baldy and Rinzai-Ji Zen Centers.

 

I lead workshops and retreats — online and in person — both through UM and independently, and work with practitioners 1-on-1. In coaching sessions, we explore and unpack what’s happening in your practice — what you’re working with, what’s most alive for you, what’s getting in the way — and co-create a direction from there. That might mean learning new techniques to work with specific challenges or opportunities, integrating insights, or finding meaningful ways to keep practice resonant throughout daily life off the cushion. Whether you’re new to meditation or a seasoned practitioner looking to go deeper, I’d love to support you however I can. Please feel free to reach out and we can set up a call.

 

I look forward to hearing from you.

Links