Dharma Ocean and the Dharmasagara Lineage are held Dr. Reginald A. Ray and Caroline Pfohl. As co-lineage holders, they bear ultimate responsibility for developing, presenting, and activating the teachings within Dharma Ocean and the world. Under their guidance, senior students have been trained as teachers who are now transmitting the teachings and practices of the Dharma Ocean path by leading residential and online programs or by leading local sanghas.
Reginald A. Ray, Ph.D
Lineage Holder
Dr. Reginald "Reggie" Ray is the co-founder and Spiritual Director of the Dharma Ocean Foundation, dedicated to the evolution and flowering of the somatic teachings of Tibetan Tantra. He is a lineage holder in the tradition of Chögyam Trungpa, Rinpoche. Reggie is the author of several books and audio series including Touching Enlightenment and Mahamudra for the Modern World. He makes his residence in Crestone and Boulder, Colorado.
Caroline Pfohl
Lineage Holder
Caroline Pfohl is the lineage holder in the Dharma Ocean lineage and Spiritual Director of the Dharma Ocean Foundation, along with Reggie Ray. She holds the role of Desung (Protector of Joy) for the community and has been named Reggie's spiritual successor. In addition, she leads the Hemera Foundation, which is dedicated to supporting contemplative views and practices and their integration into ordinary life.
Program Leaders
Al Blum – La Jolla, CA
“I was fortunate to meet Reggie after years of studying and practicing within a more traditional Tibetan context. A powerful revelation for me, at that time, was the lineages’ affirmation that profound spiritual possibilities unfold through engaging the nitty gritty aspects of our hectic modern lives. There is tremendous respect for each individual journey within this lineage, and I view the student-teacher relationship, at every level, as being rooted in mutual learning and collaborative self-discovery.”
Callista Brown – Tacoma, WA
Callista began studying with Reggie Ray in 2001. Teaching dharma and meditation in Boulder and the South Puget Sound area, she is dedicated to helping practitioners integrate study and practice. Her teaching is informed by her Buddhist studies at Naropa University. She resides in Tacoma, Washington, where she teaches writing.
Jessika Daniel – Denver, CO
Jessika has been a student of meditation for 23 years. 10 years ago her life was turned upside down by a weekend retreat with Reggie Ray, and she has been immersed in the Dharma Ocean path ever since. She is a practitioner of acupuncture and traditional Taoist medicine, splitting her time between Rochester, NY and Denver, CO.
Norman Elizondo – Durango, CO
David Iozzi – Boulder, CO
Neil McKinlay – Victoria, BC
A student of Reggie’s since 1999, Neil’s teaching reflects an ongoing interest in the rich intersection of spirituality and everyday life. A partner, parent, and householder, he is curious about how deep engagement with this lineage affects our relationship with the ‘ordinary’ — with ourselves and others, with livelihood, and with the world of which we are part. Neil teaches regularly in the Pacific Northwest and delights in the many opportunities this affords to see how the practice of meditation uncovers the fire within, brings healing into our lives, and alters how we meet each and every moment. As might be expected, Neil’s instruction has been described as “straightforward” and “accessible”.
Laurel Miller – Boulder, CO
Laurel joined Reggie in 2000 and became a meditation instructor in 2006. She has served in numerous leadership roles, including MWTB (U.S. and Europe), Mahamudra for the Modern World, Taking Refuge in the Body, and the Winter Meditation Intensive. Earlier this year she served as program director and assisting teacher for The Body Loves, and co-taught the first arts program, True Perception: Vajrayana Practice of the Arts. Laurel also leads the weekly practice group at the Boulder City Center, as well as monthly day-long practice sessions. Her passion for working with people extends into the community where she practices acupuncture for addiction recovery and at-risk youth.”
Gaia Mika – Taos, NM
Gaia has been a student of Reggie Ray’s since 2005. The somatic meditation practices have had a profound impact on her life. She shares her gratitude for the teachings as a meditation instructor, and as a teacher. Gaia is a retired psychologist, teacher and facilitator, and now lives with her husband in Taos, New Mexico where she is surrounded by mountains, canyons and sky. She has an ongoing commitment to a socially engaged practice and to showing up in the world.
Vichak Panich – Bangkok, Thailand
An educator and teacher of Spirit in Education Movement (SEM) founded by the renowned Thai social activist, Sulak Sivaraksa. After the intensive training with Reggie Ray since 2004, Vichak has now returned home to Bangkok Thailand, leading several meditation workshops throughout the year for people of all ages and backgrounds.
Amy RM Stahl – Portland, OR
Amy been a student of Chögyam Trungpa Rinpoche’s dharma for twenty years. She became a student of Dr. Ray in 2002 while earning a Master of Divinity at Naropa University, and is a Chaplain in the Dharma Ocean lineage. She has been a meditation instructor since 2004, and has been teaching since 2011 as Director of Dharma Ocean Portland. Amy recently edited a compendium of Dr. Ray’s teachings on Vajrayogini, and is a teacher in The Sogetsu School of Ikebana.
Teachers
Erin Anderson – Jericho, VT
Schuyler Anderson – Jericho, VT
Jonathan Daniel – Denver , CO
Marty Enright – New York, NY
Jeff Gonzalez – Hudson, OH
Micah Hoffman – Milwaukee, WI
Sara Houstoun – Toronto, Canada
Zosia Krusberg – Poughkeepsie, NY
Jake LaBotz – New York, NY
Shaun La Chute – Seattle, WA
Tina LaGreca – New York, NY
Gaia Mika – Taos, NM
Laurel Miller – Boulder, CO
Bryn Rees – Boulder, CO
Sari Simchoni – La Jolla, CA
Colette Smart – Victoria, BC
Mary Stokes – Pittsboro, NC
Elizabeth Thomas – Boulder, Co
Karyn Young – Erie, CO