Jun 9, 2019
Lama Rod Owens was officially recognized by the Kagyu school of
Tibetan Buddhism after receiving his teaching authorization from
his root teacher the Venerable Lama Norlha Rinpoche when he
completed the traditional 3-year silent retreat program at Kagyu
Thubten Chöling Monastery (KTC) outside of New York City.
It was during this time that he dealt with years of past pain
and trauma and found forgiveness and compassion for himself, what
he views as a critical step before truly being able to help
others.
Since coming out of retreat he has completed his Master of Divinity
degree at Harvard Divinity School. Lama Rod also practices,
studies, and teaches secular mindfulness and is a teacher with
Inward Bound Mindfulness Education (iBme) where he is also a
faculty member for the organization's teacher training
program. He is also heavily engaged in social change activism
and has just released a book with Rev. angel Kyodo williams
and Jasmine Syedullah entitled, Radical Dharma, Talking
Race, Love and Liberation.