NOEL COAKLEY (he/him)
I have been practicing meditation since 1996, beginning initially with the Indo-Tibetan traditions and then the Yundrung Bön tradition since 2013.
Over the years, I have been fortunate to learn from over 100 teachers, including HH the Dalai Lama and HH the 34th Menri Trizin.
My first teacher was Lama Tsering Ngodup Yodsampa, from the Karma Kagyu lineage. I later studied with the psychologist and meditation teacher, Dan P. Brown, who introduced me to Mahamudra, Dzogchen, and a Rime a style of practice. Currently my main practice lineage is the Yundgrung Bön tradition, with his root lama, Geshe Tenzin Gelek Rinpoche, studying Bonpo Dzogchen from the Zhangzhung Nyengyud. I have been given the refuge name “Zhen Phen Gelek” - ‘Zhen Phen’ meaning ‘to bring benefit to others’ and ‘Gelek’ meaning ‘positive virtues, everything good'.’
Additionally, I am a student of David Nichtern, founder of Dharma Moon, with whom Noel works as a senior teacher for the Mindfulness Meditation and Metta Meditation Teacher Training programs, co-sponsored by Tibet House.
For those seeking support in their meditation practice, I offer an approach established in lineage traditions that is balanced with trauma-informed Western psychology. My support style balances tradition with modern contextualization as an independently licensed mental health counselor (LMHC) with a Master's degree in Counseling from Lesley University and Special Education from UMass Boston. I am also a certified yoga instructor, supporting a holistic, mind & body approach to wellness.