Testimonials for Mark’s teaching

“Mark is many things; a gifted dharma teacher, experienced wilderness guide, avid outdoorsman, Qigon instructor, healing therapist; but throughout what is most striking is Mark’s deep, clear wisdom informed by a heart so large and beautiful and spacious as the mountains he so loves.” ~ Marlea Taylor, CPA

“The Awake in the Wild retreat was a journey unlike any other. The combination of natural beauty and silence allows for a meditative experience that is unparalleled. I would go on another trip in a heartbeat.” ~ Christina Farisbasile

“Mark’s guidance was clear, gentle & warm-hearted. His compassionate presence facilitated an honnest exploration of the challenges inherent in the awakened life while his enthusiasm for nature and the great outdoors created a healing space for the troubled heart. The retreat inspires my love for myself, for others, for meditation, and for the waters and the wild.” ~ Noirin Sheahan

“The way you teach – the authenticity, wittiness, clarity, depth, wisdom & great stillness you emanate, rippled deeply in me, merci! ” ~ Delphine Hano

“Mark specializes in meditation paired with experience in the natural world and therefore he’s the ideal teacher for those of us who want to shed modern conveniences for awhile in order to “re-charge” outdoors. With our young experiencing ‘nature deficit disorder’ this is not a ‘hobby’ anymore; it’s a necessity if one wishes to stay grounded in one’s life and heartbeat. In addition, Mark’s teaching of “metta” or lovingkindness meditation is very clear and his guidance sound. He also guides more ‘expansive’ types of meditation and is a good one-on-one counselor.” ~
Mary McCutchan, RTT, CMD

“Surrounded by nature in the deep stillness of a meditation retreat, I was able to open to and release difficult emotions, which helped me be more aware and available to present time experience. Mark brings a gentle, kind nature and creativity in teaching meditation in the wilderness, which creates a wonderful marriage of attending to one’s inner experience while being nurtured and nourished by the natural world. Through his teachings I have experienced a deeper sense of myself, of caring for others and this beautiful earth, and a feeling of wholeness which has stayed with me. ~ Beth Hird

“I have led commercial kayaking trips and paddled on my own in the Sea of Cortez since 1975. On the week-long silent kayaking retreats with Mark I have experienced the same environment in such a deeper way that it is hard to believe I have been there before. Mark skillfully handles the challange of maintiaining the silence and sacred space of a retreat while being flexible enough to handle the vaguries of mother nature and the needs of yogis that may be paddling aind camping in a desert environment for the first time.” ~ Bob Licht, owner Sea Trek Kayaking company