Jack Kornfield trained as a Buddhist monk in the monasteries of Thailand, India and Burma. He has taught meditation internationally since 1974 and is one of the key teachers to introduce Buddhist mindfulness practice to the West. After graduating from Dartmouth College in Asian Studies in 1967 he joined the Peace Corps and worked on tropical medicine teams in the Mekong River valley. He met and studied as a monk under the Buddhist master Ven. Ajahn Chah, as well as the Ven. Mahasi Sayadaw of Burma. Returning to the United States, Jack co-founded the Insight Meditation Society in Barre, Massachusetts, with fellow meditation teachers Sharon Salzberg and Joseph Goldstein and the Spirit Rock Center in Woodacre, California. Over the years, Jack has taught in centers and universities worldwide, led International Buddhist Teacher meetings, and worked with many of the great teachers of our time. He holds a Ph.D. in clinical psychology and is a father, husband and activist. His books have been translated into 20 languages and sold more than a million copies.
Paul Breiter has practiced Buddhist meditation for many years. He was trained and ordained as a Theravadin Buddhist monk under the guidance of the Venerable Achaan Chah. As one of Achaan Chah's earliest Western disciples his study and practice allowed him to become fluent in the Thai and Lao languages. He is translator of a volume of the Vinayamukka, an important tex on the monastic life. He has also studied extensively in the Zen and Vajrayana traditions. He practiced under Zen Master Kobun Chino where he was ordained as a Zen Priest. He continued his Buddhist practice under the guidance of the Venerable Gonpo Rinpoche, a senior Lama of the Tibetan Ningmapa lineage.
