Ralph’s very first introduction to meditation came at the age of seven through his involvement with martial arts, which planted a seed that would lead to a life-long journey of practice. Many years later as a philosophy major Ralph became intrigued by Buddhist teachings particularly around the concept of anatta, or no-self, and was advised by his mentor to explore the experiential side of these teachings through a more sustained, insight -based approach to meditation. In the summer of 2003 Ralph went on his first formal retreat in Kyoto, Japan where his understanding of meditation was pulled out of the clouds of the intellect and into direct experience opening him up to the true transformative power of practice.
Ralph went on many retreats and explored various approaches to practice before coming across an audio copy of Shinzen Young’s Science of Enlightenment, which wove together so much of what he found valuable from the various contemplative traditions he had practiced within including techniques that pointed towards deeper transcendent phases of experience as well as methods to become a more kind, compassionate, and skillful person. He also found in Shinzen’s teachings a clarity, and precision that left no room for doubt or confusion about how to practice effectively both on and off the cushion.
After working closely with one of Shinzen’s co-teachers for many years Ralph had the honor of joining the first Pathways cohort beginning his journey towards becoming a Unified Mindfulness Teach/Trainer. Through the techniques taught in the UM system Ralph has had insights that have led to a sense of fulfillment and ease of being that were once unimaginable, and has since felt a calling to help others reduce their suffering and work towards an unshakable sense of well-being through the application of mindfulness. Ralph is known for his warmth, sense of humor, gentleness, and approachability and is happy to work with meditators at all levels of experience, and having been timid to approach teachers in the past invites those that are curious, but a bit apprehensive to request a free 20-minute consultation with him. Ralph continues to enjoy exploring traditions outside of UM including, but not limited to Dzogchen, Advaita Vedanta, and Zen, and has completed David Trealeven’s course on Trauma-Sensitive Mindfulness. Ralph is also a musician, avid surfer, and 20-year veteran in service industry in New York City.
Julianna received her BA in psychology from Duke University. As founder, president, and head trainer of Unified Mindfulness, she is dedicated to disseminating Shinzen Young’s comprehensive mindfulness meditation system through the creation and presentation of educational programs and teacher-training certification programs.
Dr. Hunter serves as associate professor of practice and is the founding director of the Executive Mind Leadership Institute at the Peter F. Drucker Graduate School of Management, Claremont Graduate University. He also serves as visiting professor at the University of Virginia Darden School of Business, where he developed and co-teaches the Leading Mindfully executive education program..
Dr. Eisendrath serves as chief psychologist and president of the Institute for Dialogue Therapy, P.C., where, as a Jungian analyst, she offers psychotherapy with individuals and couples, psychoanalysis, supervision, and training.
Dr. Vago serves as the research director of the Osher Center for Integrative Medicine and the director of the Contemplative Neuroscience and Integrative Medicine (CNIM) Laboratory at Vanderbilt University Medical Center. He is an associate professor in the Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation and the Department of Psychiatry.
Stella is a psychologist, professor, and Zen practitioner. She became a formal student in 2008 in the Soto Zen tradition. She teaches courses in mindfulness based psychotherapies and the psychology of compassion at the Union Institute & University. She also co-facilitates a family program and young adult program at Shao Shan Temple, in Woodbury Vermont.
Dr. Creswell serves as a tenured associate professor in the Department of Psychology at Carnegie Mellon University. He is also the director of the Health & Human Performance Laboratory at Carnegie Mellon University.
Dr. McCormick currently serves as director of education at Unified Mindfulness. In 1975, he received a B.A. in psychology from the University of California Santa Cruz, where he was part of Dr. Elliot Aronson’s research team that examined cooperative approaches to reducing interracial conflict and academic performance problems in newly integrated school, and made Honors in Psychology, College Honors, and Thesis Honors.
UnifiedMindfulness.com is the official teacher training platform for Shinzen and the Unified Mindfulness System.
Created over 50 years of research and testing by Shinzen Young, Unified Mindfulness is a system of meditation that’s easily researchable by science, with clear terminology and rigorous precision around concepts and procedures.
The Unified Mindfulness system is a comprehensive, robust and refined support structure that any individual at any stage of meditation practice can rely on to go deeper in their insight and their ability to share it with others. It is also a secular form of meditation, which means it’s not religious in any way so anyone, of any faith, can do it.