Ian was trained by Native American medicine people and shamans in their healing practices, and studied Tibetan Buddhism with Lama Tarchin in the early 1980’s, Christian meditation with the Benedictines. He also studied the Vedic tradition of Siddha Samadhi Yoga, and taught this tradition of meditation in India. There he was ordained as a teacher and initiator - the first westerner to receive this privilege - and is acknowledged in India as a Dharma teacher. Since meeting Thich Nhat Hanh, the Vietnamese Zen Buddhist Master - he found a way to take his experiences to much deeper internal levels. He is an ordained member of Master Hanh’s Tiep Hien Order. He has taught children’s meditation courses, as well as adult and advanced meditation courses across Canada. In addition he gives regular Dharma talks to the meditation community in Ottawa. He travels widely on this beautiful planet and has taught meditation in Canada, India, the United States and South America. His teaching focuses on the spiritual issues of the day, and honors all traditions. 

Ian facilitates a meditation community in Ottawa - the Pine Gate Sangha - and hopes to open a meditation retreat and practice center in the Gatineau Hills, where he lived when his pet wolf was alive. The Pine Gate Sangha has a weekly meditation and study group every Thursday evening from 7.00pm - 9.00pm. On the first Saturday of every month the Pine Gate Sangha offers a gathering, with meditation at 5.00pm, then a Dharma talk, followed by a pot luck vegetarian supper. Qi-Gong classes, Days of Mindfulness and meditation retreats are organized on a regular basis. 

The Dharma teachings are in the tradition of Thich Nhat Hanh. In keeping with this tradition the Pine Gate Sangha has a major commitment to engaged issues - environmental crises, quality of life issues, mindfulness practice in schools, volunteer work, peace, relief and reconciliation worldwide. The Pine Gate Sangha exists as a pocket of resistance to a cruel and exploitative world, where Love, Compassion and Understanding are not in vogue. The intent is to bring these qualities to the forefront of experience through individual and collective example. 

All classes and monthly gatherings are held in the Pine Gate Meditation Hall at 1252 Rideout Crescent, in Ottawa. You can request information on current programs and retreats by going to the “Talk To Me” page on this web site.