Karen Porterfield

Karen became a Buddhist in 1984 in Bodh Gaya, India, with Chökyi Nyima Rinpoche.  After receiving teachings from Tulku Ugyen Rinpoche, she continued her studies with many prominent Nyingma and Kagyü teachers over the next few years before landing in Boulder, where she became a student of Chögyam Trungpa Rinpoche.  Since then, she has followed the practice path he laid out, recently completing her Vajrakilaya retreats.  For over thirty years, she has taught and led programs in Shambhala East Coast centres, as well as serving in various administrative roles including head of Practice & Study and of External Affairs for the Washington, DC Shambhala Centre.