Acharya Susan Chapman has been a student of Shambhala since 1974. She has an MA in Buddhist and Western Psychology from Naropa University, 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 Shambhala Center and later completed Gampo Abbey’s three year retreat, where she went on to serve as druppon “retreat leader” for six more years.

After moving back to Vancouver, Susan started a business which offers workshops and training in mindful communication, and is on the faculty of Karuna Training, teaching twice yearly in Europe. She was empowered as a Shastri in 2010. In April she published her book, The five Keys to Mindful COmmunication. The Sakyong gave her the acharya name Jinlap Wangmo “Blessing Lady.”

Books