Joseph Loizzo, MD, PhD

Is a Harvard-trained psychiatrist, Columbia-trained Buddhist scholar, and Founding Director of the Nalanda Institute of Contemplative Science. In 1998, Miles became Dr. Loizzo's protégée, receiving close mentoring and clinical training in Nalanda’s unique approach of integrating the mind sciences of Indo-Tibetan Buddhism with contemporary psychotherapy, mind/body medicine, and neuroscience. Today Miles is Assistant Director of the Nalanda Institute helping Joe with programs in public education, professional training, textual translations, and clinical meditation research.

Robert Thurman, PhD

Is Je Tsongkhapa Chair of Indo-Tibetan Buddhism at Columbia University, President of Tibet House US, a close friend of His Holiness the Dalia Lama for past forty years and the first westerner to ordain as a Tibetan Buddhist monk. Since 1999, Miles received public teachings on the essentials of Tibetan Buddhism with Professor Thurman at the Tibet House, where he now serves as teaching faculty.

Lama Zopa Rinpoche

Is the Spiritual Director of the Foundation for the Preservation of the Mahayana Tradition. Lama Zopa is one of the most highly realized meditation masters of modern times and through selfless dedication has established the largest world-wide network of Buddhist educational centers. In 2006, Miles received refuge and bodhisattva vows from Lama Zopa as well as transmission of the entire Stages of the Path to Enlightenment (lam rim) teachings during a month long retreat at Kopan monastery in Nepal.

Kyabje Gelek Rinpoche

Is the Spiritual Director of the Jewel Heart global community. Gelek Rinpoche is a scholar of the highest degree (geshe lharampa), one of the last remaining Buddhist teachers born and trained in monastic universities of old Tibet prior to the Chinese occupation, and a renowned master of the secret Vajrayana path. In 2008, Miles received tantric initiation and vows from Gelek Rinpoche in Ann Arbor, Michigan. In 2011 he received the oral transmission of the entire 'Liberation in the Palm of Your Hand’ discourse. Miles continues to participate in Rinpoche’s annual retreats on the open and secret teachings.

His Holiness the Dalia Lama

Is the former political leader of the Tibetan Government in Exile, Nobel Laureate and world peace advocate, spiritual head of the Gelugpa school of Tibetan Buddhism, and the living embodiment of Chenrezig, the Buddha of Compassion. Since 1997, Miles has attended frequent public teachings and initiations given by His Holiness in America and in India and regards His Holiness as the quintessence of the awakened altruist (bodhisattva).