What Mentees Are Saying…
“The main problems that I deal with are how to integrate my spiritual practice into daily life, and how to prioritize the various meditation practices I work with. Scott patiently listens to my concerns and guides me. Because of his deep understanding of Tibetan Buddhism and life experiences, he can relate to what I am facing and helps me to apply the teachings in a practical way. His teaching style is easy for western students to relate to, and given his lineage and devotion, I have complete trust in him. His humbleness and his compassion touch me deeply.”
― Yuan Zhou
“Although I had been practicing meditation for several years, I began feeling increasingly unsettled and stuck in my practice. One of the most helpful things Scott does in mentoring is to share his own challenges in meditation practice. I could recognize myself in his experiences which really helped to normalize the difficulties I was experiencing. As a result, I could stop feeling that I was “bad” at meditating or that there was something wrong with my practice. What I most appreciate about Scott’s approach is how open, direct, and authentic he is. He’s not afraid to share his own struggles. As a result, I feel confident in his approach and trust that he is genuine in his dealings with others. It’s also abundantly apparent that his formal Buddhist training as a monk and his dedication to continued study make him an excellent teacher of the dharma. Scott is very approachable and I have never found him to be condescending. He does not set himself apart from his students and their experiences, and, as a result, he’s welcoming, not intimidating. Overall I have learned some new practices, feel more accepting of myself as a meditation practitioner, and gained a greater confidence in my practice under Scott’s mentorship.”
― Sandra Kerr
“Fresh out of a relationship I found myself confronting loneliness for the first time in years. I felt so anxious and lost that I didn’t know what to do. But when talking to Scott for the first time I felt confident that he could help guide me toward greener pastures. He asked thoughtful and poignant questions that helped me see my situation more clearly. Scott is also a great listener, but he didn’t let me get too deep into my own neurosis before redirecting me toward self observation and showing me how to connect with my thoughts and emotions in a more healthy way. Compared to other teachers, Scott stood out as uniquely knowledgeable of the Dharma, but also uniquely grounded and well practiced.”
― Matt Castanos
“I first encountered Scott at a Pundarika retreat; he led a review of Tsoknyi Rinpoche’s teachings from the day before. He was patient and knowledgeable, as he answered questions and offered insight from his first-hand experience with the teachings. About a year later, I started mentoring sessions with Scott, and found the sessions to be wonderfully beneficial, strengthening the structure of my practice and my accountability as a practitioner. Though I’ve meditated for many years, my practice can get sluggish or stale sometimes and my motivation wavers as my life gets busy. Meeting with Scott twice a month keeps me moving forward with meditation. He blends knowledge of classic texts and modern resources with ease, finding unique ways to address whatever question, problem, or interesting subject we're discussing. Sessions feel supportive and spontaneous, like we’re moving along the path together.”
― Collette Stewart
“Before I started working with Scott, my practice had become erratic and stale. I was discouraged. Scott ensured me that what I was experiencing was not unusual. I had attended many tutorials with Scott and found him insightful and his approach very accessible. Scott combines humour, humbleness and a keen intellect. He is extremely knowledgeable. He inspires me to be receptive in trying new approaches and is supportive when I stumble. He encourages open discussions where no question or comment is unacceptable. I am now practicing regularly and have added new components to my practice. I feel engaged and enjoy my practice. Thanks Scott!”
― Betty Robertson