Rachael O’Brien

Rachael O’Brien (she/her) has been practicing meditation and investigating the spiritual path for over 25 years. She has studied the mystical writings and practices of Medieval Christianity, Vedānta, and Tibetan Buddhism.  In 2011, Rachael found her home in the Theravādin Buddhist tradition through the writings and lectures of the late Venerable Ayya Khema. In 2013, she began practicing the Tranquil Wisdom Insight Meditation (TWIM) method developed by the late Bhante Vimalaramsi Mahathero. In 2015, Bhante Vimalaramsi invited Rachael to teach the Dhamma.

Rachael has taught and led a weekly sutta study group for the past eight years. Rachael has given many talks and residential meditation retreats to Dhamma groups across the United States. Her approach to the Dhamma is firmly grounded in the teachings of the Buddha as preserved in the Pāli Canon. Her perspective resonates with a more traditional reading of the core doctrines of Early Buddhism, especially on such topics as causation, the system of spiritual training, and the goal of spiritual path.