People often inquire about the availability of teacher interviews. All of us who lead the Vipassana Santa Cruz groups on a regular basis are happy to consult with meditation students about their practice. Please contact whichever teacher or leader you would like to consult for an appointment. Below are Vipassana Santa Cruz Teachers and Community Dharma Leaders who are available for interviews.

Mary Grace Orr has practiced Vipassana since 1983. Prior to that she followed western contemplative practices and worked as a therapist from 1977 to 1995. She was trained to teach by Jack Kornfield, and now teaches classes and retreats in Santa Cruz and throughout the United States. She has been the Guiding Teacher for VSC since 1989.

For questions specifically for Mary Grace, Email: . For general Vipassana Santa Cruz questions, contact us.

Bob Stahl is a long-time practitioner of insight meditation who lived in a Buddhist monastery for over eight years. He now directs Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction programs in Bay Area medical centers. Bob is also a husband and a father of two sons.

For questions specifically for Bob, call (831) 469-3338 or email: . For general Vipassana Santa Cruz questions, contact us.

Richard Shankman is a co-founder of the Sati Center for Buddhist Studies and has a Master's degree in Buddhist Studies. A meditator since 1970, Richard teaches at several Bay Area Dharma groups and has been active in bringing meditation and dharma into prisons. He teaches regularly at dharma centers and groups throughout the San Francisco Bay Area and is the author of a forthcoming book on Samadhi to be published by Shambhala Publishing.

For questions specifically for Richard, call (510) 547-075 or email: . For general Vipassana Santa Cruz questions, contact us.

Carla Brennan has been practicing for over 30 years in the Vipassana, Zen and Tibetan Dzogchen traditions and she leads a VSC affiliate meditation group each Monday night in Ben Lomond. Carla is currently training, under the supervision of Mary Grace Orr, to become a full-fledged Dharma teacher (capable of leading retreats, teaching all classes, or leading a center). Carla offers wilderness retreats and teaches Mindfulness-based Stress Reduction at Dominican Hospital. She is also an artist, art teacher, and retired psychotherapist.

For questions specifically for Carla, email: .

Carla is offering a Wilderness Retreat in August, 2008. Read more here.

For general Vipassana Santa Cruz questions, contact us.

Jill Hyman has practiced Vipassana meditation with Vipassana Santa Cruz for 5 years. Her practice is influenced by a variety of disciplines and her many teachers come from Spirit Rock, IMS, and VSI (Shizen Young). She has served as a volunteer Buddhist chaplain at Salinas Valley State Prison for 4 years. She is currently involved in the 2-year Spirit Rock Community Dharma Leader Program.

For questions specifically for Jill, email: . For general Vipassana Santa Cruz questions, contact us.

Dan Landry has been a Vipassana practitioner for six years. During that time he has attended many retreats, participated in the Committed Students groups, acted as the Chair of the VSC Board, and substituted at various sittings when the teacher was absent.

For questions specifically for Dan, email: . For general Vipassana Santa Cruz questions, contact us.

Bruce Hyman is a retired physician after 30 years of practice. He has practiced yoga and meditation for over 30 years and has been intensively involved in Buddhist practice for 5 years. In addition, Bruce has been a co-leader of a prison dharma program at Salinas Valley State Prison as well as a teacher of beginner programs and a mentor for Vipassana Santa Cruz for the past 4 years.

For questions specifically for Bruce, email: . For general Vipassana Santa Cruz questions, contact us.