Riccardo Giovanni, uno dei primi studenti di Chögyam Trungpa Rinpoche, served as acharya (insegnante anziano) for Sakyong Mipham Rinpoche for 20 anni. He completed the traditional Buddhist three-year retreat at Gampo Abbey, and has taught many meditation programs and retreats in the United States, Canada and Mexico. Richard and his wife Liz reside in Halifax, nuova Scozia.