With gratitude, Kirsten pays homage to the Buddha, the Dhamma, and the Sangha, and to her teachers, whose kindness has made this path possible. 

Kirsten discovered Tranquil Wisdom Insight Meditation (TWIM) in 2015 and, from her very first retreat, knew she had found a path that resonated deeply. Since then, the Dhamma has become the foundation of her life, inspiring a wholehearted commitment to meditation, daily practice, and the study of the Buddha's teachings. In 2020, she moved to Dhamma Sukha Meditation Center to learn directly from Bhante Vimalaramsi and to share the practice of TWIM with others. 

 

Her love of monastic life led her to undertake two temporary ordinations as a Buddhist nun under the guidance of the late Bhante Vimalaramsi. She first ordained for fourteen days in 2017 and later completed a three-month ordination in 2021 while living at Dhamma Sukha Meditation Center. These temporary ordinations offered a rare opportunity to experience monastic life firsthand, deepening her appreciation of the early Buddhist teachings and fostering a lasting love of the monastic tradition. 

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Kirsten continues to deepen her practice through longer retreats, studying the early Buddhist suttas, and learning how to live the Dhamma in daily life. One of her favorite quotes from Bhante Vimalaramsi is, "The whole reason you are here is that you are learning how to change." It reminds her to keep looking inward with honesty and humility, always willing to learn and change. She has deep confidence that full awakening—the end of suffering—is possible in this very life. 

 

As Retreat Coordinator and a resident teacher at Dhamma Sukha Meditation Center, Kirsten has coordinated and led online retreats since 2020, helping practitioners deepen their meditation practice. She also hosts a weekly online Dhamma reading group and meditation session, where students explore the early Buddhist teachings together and support one another in practice. She enjoys creating a warm and welcoming environment where people feel comfortable sharing their experiences and cultivating wisdom and loving-kindness together.  

In addition to her work at Dhamma Sukha, Kirsten is a licensed clinical social worker, holding Bachelor and Master of Social Work degrees from Missouri State University. Her professional experience enriches her teaching with compassion, careful listening, and an appreciation for the unique path each person walks.

Kirsten is deeply grateful to her teachers, especially the late Bhante Vimalaramsi, whose guidance continues to shape both her practice and her teaching. She sees herself not as someone who has arrived, but as a Dhamma friend on the path, continually learning and deepening her understanding of the Dhamma.