my teachers
on this page I honor and thank my most beloved teachers,
for whose gifts to my life I am eternally grateful
there are many more, but these have been most prominent.
music teachers
Brian Jones
my first music mentor in high school, taught me pipe organ and supported my exploration of classical music.
Mme Margaret Chaloff
the legendary Bostonian piano teacher, who revolutionized my approach to music and the piano, and set me on the spiritual path.
She taught a powerful method for connecting with the piano, and creating a living, singing tone using the breath. This technique was passed down for many generations, teacher to student, and this "lineage" contains many of the great classical pianists and composers.
Mme. Chaloff's musical lineage
Max Roach
the great jazz drummer, was my mentor in the mid-seventies at the UMass jazz workshop, and started me on the adventure of jazz.
widely acknowledged as the "guru of jazz", Charlie is an enthusiastic and supportive teacher, who completely straightened me out around jazz improvisation. There is no more thorough jazz improv method out there than Charlie's.
Charlie is very reclusive however, i can't find a picture of him anywhere!
spiritual teachers
Osho (Bhagwan Shree Rajneesh)
my most beloved spiritual master, a radical rascal who turned my life upside down for good.
Adi Da (Da Free John)
my relationship with Adi Da has developed slowly since 1980, and has transformed my life in ways impossible to describe. He has brought an unparalleled new revelation to humanity.
Chagdud Tulku Rinpoche
my primary Tibetan lama, a very dear being who was one of the first to start bringing the Dharma to the West.
Jigme Rinpoche
the son of Chagdud Tulku Rinpoche, with whom I took refuge in the Buddhadharma.
Lama Tharchin Rinpoche
one of my favorite lamas, Lama Tharchin is pure love!
Hameed (A.H.) Almaas
founder of the Diamond Approach, a comprehensive spiritual work school that I participated in for 8 years, Hameed is a precious pearl in human form.
Faisal Muqaddam
co-founder of the Diamond Approach, Faisal is the embodiment of the Sufi heart-master. He encouraged me to embrace my freedom.
