Susan Chapman has been a student of Shambhala since 1974. She has an MA in Buddhist and Western Psychology from Naropa University, has worked with victims and perpetrators of domestic violence, and is a licensed Marital and Family Therapist. She has one grown child. With her husband Jerry she founded the Juneau, Alaska Shambhala Center and has also completed Gampo Abbey’s three year retreat. She served as druppon, or “retreat leader” at Gampo Abbey for six more years. After moving back to Vancouver Susan started a business which offers workshops and training in mindful communication. She is on the faculty of Karuna Training and teaches twice yearly in Europe. She was empowered as an Acharya in 2010. In April of 2015 she published The Five Keys to Mindful Communication.