Western Dharma Friends is a Los Angeles-based collective dedicated to sharing the wisdom of the Bön tradition, one of the oldest spiritual lineages in the world. Rooted in the teachings of Dzogchen (Great Perfection), our mission is twofold: to make authentic Bön practices accessible to Western seekers and to foster a conscious, supportive community.

We offer retreats, guided meditations, one-on-one sessions, community events, and alternative healing modalities to help individuals cultivate clarity, balance, and deeper awareness. Our team includes four American teachers with diverse backgrounds in mindfulness, psychology, and Tibetan spirituality, working alongside Geshe Sonam, a highly respected Bön monk residing in Nepal, and Amchi Kedup, a traditional Tibetan doctor offering Bön-based Tibetan medicine. Through in-person gatherings, online sessions, and offerings on Insight Timer, we create a welcoming space where practitioners can connect, learn, and grow—whether they are new to meditation or experienced in contemplative traditions.

Preserving an Ancient Lineage: A Personal Reflection

As I continue to deepen my understanding of healing, community, and the human spirit, I find myself increasingly drawn to the mission of Western Dharma Friends. Our work is not only about spiritual practice—it’s about preserving one of the world’s most ancient and rich wisdom traditions: the Bön lineage of the Himalayas.

Through our collaborations with Tibetan elders, traditional doctors, and monastics like Geshe Sonam, we are helping to protect sacred knowledge that has survived centuries of challenge and change. From supporting young monks and conserving centuries-old texts to introducing Western practitioners to Bön-based mindfulness and healing, we are participating in a lineage of care that spans cultures and generations.

My work as a psychotherapist, community worker, and father is founded on the principle that we must honor what connects us across time and tradition. The Bön teachings embody this principle—they carry forward the spiritual and ecological intelligence of a people who have long known how to live in harmony with the web of life. The care Western Dharma Friends extends—through teachings, community, and cultural preservation—mirrors the way I approach my own work: helping others uncover what is timeless, resilient, and meaningful within themselves.

As a father, I want to show my children that the world is larger than our immediate surroundings and more profound than material gain. The teachings and practices we share at Western Dharma Friends remind me to guide them toward reverence, curiosity, and a deeper understanding of our interconnectedness. To protect and nurture a lineage—whether cultural, spiritual, or familial—is not merely to honor the past; it is to create a framework of meaning and compassion that future generations can rely on when facing the unknown.

By supporting and engaging with Western Dharma Friends, I am reminded of the deep value in preserving and living into what has come before us. In weaving this sense of lineage into therapy, community service, and fatherhood, I aim to foster lives rooted in ancestral wisdom, cultural continuity, and shared purpose.

Please spend some time with us at:

🌐 https://www.westerndharmafriends.com/

Sign up for upcoming events:

Day long retreat Santa Monica May 2
Day long retreat Pasadena May 3
Weekly Drop-in Medicine Buddha Meditation