Boundless Refuge’s growth and care is supported by a number of volunteers and advisors, which we call our circle of support. This includes all those who have given of their time, energy, and skills along the way. There are a handful of senior dharma teachers who have given their ongoing blessing and close guidance for North’s teaching. Our volunteer operations team works on a regular basis, and their bios are below, excepting teammates North and Mitra, whose bios are in the teacher page. 

  • Benjamin Haynes

    Benjamin "Bee-Eye" weaves together experience in the education and non-profit worlds with a deep love for the Dharma. He currently resides in the Appalachian mountains in North Carolina, an area he believes is wonderfully sacred and magical.

    
He has been practicing meditation for seven years now, primarily in the Insight tradition. After studying Economics and Political Science at UNC-Chapel Hill, he went into education for several years, teaching English in Malaysia and then working for Kaleidoscope Education to create new curriculum for high schools in the US. B.I. was a community organizer in Washington, DC after negotiating with a real estate company to turn a vacant lot into a community garden.

    His current work is with Dharma Gates, a non-profit dedicated to opening pathways into formal meditation training for young adults. Throughout these experiences, he has most loved event design and event creation: helping create sacred and meaningful experiences for others.

  • Judy Zhou

    Judy is a San Francisco based yogi who was born in China and raised in the rich tapestry of Tibetan and Mahayana Buddhist traditions. She is guided by a passion for community building and healing, and she uses her background in nonprofit management, private equity, and venture philanthropy to create access to movement, mindfulness, and somatic healing practices.

  • Graham Coffey

    Graham is a long time friend of North’s and supporter of Boundless Refuge. He lives in the Bay Area, where he enjoys being in the ocean, playing soccer, and hanging out with his family and friends. He has been blessed to work with children throughout his adult life in various capacities, including now as a therapist. He loves the dharma, and is grateful to be involved with this.

  • Phil Elverum

    Phil Elverum is a musician, songwriter, record producer, and visual artist based on Orcas Island, Washington. He is a meditator and friend of the project since the beginning: offering good council, companionship, poetry, and boat rides. www.pwelverumandsun.com

  • Tasshin Fogleman

    Tasshin is an extremely online wandering quasi-monk on indefinite pilgrimage for the benefit of all beings. Tasshin (達真) means to reach or achieve truth. He received this name in 2018, when he took bodhisattva vows with teachers Shinzen Young and Soryu Forall. Tasshin aspires to see and bring out the best in all beings. www.tasshin.com