"People travel to wonder at the height of mountains, at the huge waves of the sea, at the long courses of rivers, at the vast compass of the ocean, at the circular motion of the stars; and they pass by themselves without wondering." —SAINT AUGUSTINE (354-430)

Dan Jorgensen

Dan has practiced meditation in the Kagyu tradition of Tibetan Buddhism for over 30 years.  His principle teacher was Kalu Rinpoche who was one of the great Kagyu masters of the 20th century. In addition, he received teachings and initiations from many other Tibetan teachers including the 16th Karmapa, Dilgo Khentse Rinpoche, Tai Situ Rinpoche and Jamgon Kongtrul Rinpoche.

In 1986 he entered the traditional three-year, three-month retreat in which the principle teachings and practices of the Karma Kagyu and Shangpa Kagyu lineages are transmitted and practiced. After completing the retreat in late 1989, he earned a Master’s degree in psychology and became a licensed psychotherapist in 1996.

Several years after completing the three-year retreat, he began to accept students and eventually established Clear Mountain Wisdom as a means to convey the teachings and practices he received from Kalu Rinpoche and others.

He encourages students to develop a strong daily practice of sitting meditation and doing periodic intensive retreats. However, sitting practice is not an end but the foundation of bringing present-moment awareness to all aspects of life.

Claudia Hansson

Claudia began practicing over 18 yrs ago and has studied primarily with Tibetan trained Western teachers from the Karma Kaygu and Shangpa Kagyu traditions. She is a senior student of Ken McLeod and has received the benefit of several years of training in the Buddhist Teacher Development Program which he directed. She was authorized to teach by Dan Jorgensen and Ken McLeod in 2003. In recent years her practice has been centered in Tibetan vajrayana, mahamudra and dzogchen practices.

Claudia emphasizes awareness of the body and the development of stable attention as the foundation for all other practices. She includes instruction in gentle body movements along with daily sitting practice. As a teacher she works with students in person and over Skype. A teacher can provide instruction in techniques, advice based upon their own experience and support for the student's practice. The student needs to be willing to do the practice, listen and ask questions and find their own intention and motivation.

Claudia has an extensive background in higher education as a professor, counselor and administrator. She currently co-owns and operates Sierra Mental Fitness Inc., a neuro-feedback center in Roseville, California.