James Baraz (he/him) has been teaching mindfulness meditation since 1978. He’s a cofounding teacher of Spirit Rock Meditation Center in Woodacre, California, where he started the Community Dharma Leader program, the Kalyana Mitta (Spiritual Friends) Network, and the Spirit Rock Family Program and helped create the Heavenly Messengers Training Program. He’s been leading the online Awakening Joy course since 2003. In recent years, he’s been focusing on dharma and climate change, and serves as an advisor to One Earth Sangha, a virtual ecodharma center devoted to Buddhist responses to climate change. His books include Awakening Joy: 10 Steps to Happiness, with Shoshana Alexander, and Awakening Joy for Kids, with Michele Lilyanna.
Regarding his mentoring style, his prime goal is to bring out the wisdom in others. He thinks that happens best when there is a feeling of safety and trust, with everyone in the group committed to supporting and learning from each other.