Venerable Soma Bhikkhuni
- Venerable Soma is ordained as a Theravadan Monk and has resided at Heartwood Refuge since 2019. During this time she has been the assistant to Venerable Pannavati, and the coordinator of Treasure Human Life, developing educational programs for Dalit children in India, migrant camp for children and other service programs. Prior to taking and receiving vows, Venerable Soma received Buddhist Chaplaincy training and ordination from Upaya Zen Center. As a lay practitioner she received her clinical Masters of Social Work practicing with families and children as well as 25 years in public education working in comprehensive high schools, K-8 schools and more
Paul Linn
- Paul Linn began dharma studies and intensive meditation training in 1977. He has taught residential retreats throughout the US mainland and Hawaiian islands since 1987 and co-founded the Gainesville Vipassana Society with Steve Bean in 1997. Paul's extensive study and practice of psychotherapy combined with dharma teachings help inform the nature of Awakening as inherent in living itself. With respect to the spiritual traditions that meditation resides within, he aims to bring a freshness and wonder forth that reminds the heart to rest in itself and realize what is unlimited.
- Paul and Steve facilitate an online Zoom session every Wed evening from 730 pm until 9 pm, which begins with live harp music, leading into guided sitting meditation, dharma teachings and inquiry. Guest speakers add variety and depth to the teachings in these sessions from time to time.
- Primarily in Florida at present, residential intensive meditation retreats are offered several times a year. Feel free to click on the web address below for more details, registrations and sign up on list serves for retreats and Zoom.
John Orr
- John received Theravada Buddhist ordination while living in Thailand and India as a monk for eight years. He has been teaching Vipassana Meditation and leading retreats, internationally, since 1980 and has also practiced in the Taoist, Tibetan Dzogchen, and Hindu Yoga traditions. John is one of the principle teachers at the Deep Spring Center in Ann Arbor, Michigan. You can learn more about John’s teaching and the programs he offers by visiting his website:
Anne-Marie Polanski
- Anne-Marie became a student of Buddhism in 2001. She began her journey with training in the Theravadan tradition and continues to follow the path of Tibetan Buddhism within the Kagyu and Nyingma traditions, predominately in Mahamudra and Dzogchen. Anne-Marie has been authorized as a meditation teacher by Lama Willa Baker. Past positions include meditation teacher in local sanghas and as a teacher and coordinator in a two-year international program developed by Lama Willa. Former and current teachers include Sharon Salzberg, Thrangu Rinpoche, Lama Willa Baker, Lama Liz Monson, Tenzin Wangyal Rinpoche and others. Anne-Marie’s enthusiasm for spiritual practice is fueled by a sense of wonder and curiosity about the transformative nature of mind, and discovering how the body can be a tool for awakening. Her main focus is on helping individuals discover their own path through spiritual practice and developing a genuine commitment to ease suffering in the world. Anne-Marie moved to Western North Carolina in 2022 from Portland, Maine.