Ronya Banks is a founding teacher of Asheville Insight Meditation group in Asheville, North Carolina. She is passionate about mindfulness, with 35 years of meditation practice, two years on retreats, and time as a Theravada Buddhist nun. She is a graduate of the Spirit Rock Community Dharma Leader program, with Jack Kornfield, Chanmyay Sayadaw, and Joseph Goldstein her primary teachers.
Born in Kuwait of Palestinian descent and Islamic faith, Ronya values justice and equality for all.
A published Buddhist author and fourth-time MMTCP Mentor, Ronya has taught meditation and Buddhism in-person, online, and in corporate and academic settings. She has led silent vipassana meditation retreats to people from across the world. Her teaching style is characterized by her authentic, easy-going personality, helping people synthesize complex topics into digestible pieces.
Ronya has 25 years’ business experience; she worked as a business consultant and entrepreneur. Her greatest joy has been as a parent and grandparent.