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About Nick
Nick has devoted his life to practice and learning in the Tibetan Buddhist tradition for the last 30 years. As a teacher he is inspired to create learning environments in which everyone feels empowered in their own journey, what he refers to as a “learner centric” approach.
He is synthesizing western and eastern psychology and spiritual practice,
in what he refers to as a “cultural translation” of Buddhism into our modern context.
With an emphasis on Nature as our teacher, and the idea that sangha or community, is about our mutual care and devotion to each others’ true natures and potential, hierarchy as an arbitrary force is diminished, and the power of open minded curiosity and learning is increased.
Nick also is focusing on innovation and creativity as expressions of true dharma, as opposed to stubborn traditionalism, so that the living dharma is discovered right within each of our own stories , lives and daily situations.
Nick has studied under Khenpo Tsultrim Gyamtso Rinpoche, Khandro Rinpoche,Mingyur Rinpoche, Ato Rinpoche and many other great Tibetan Lamas
Innovator
Nick is the founder of the practice of social meditation, which is practiced around the globe. He has trained hundreds of leaders using this form of practice.
Accountability
Nick was a former senior Teacher in the Shambhala community.
Over the last years the Shambhala community has been reckoning with the harm that existed in its culture, and Nick continues to learn and grow from his personal mistakes, as well as his participation in that culture. He also engages in regular therapy which he recommends to all of his students. Having guidance and feedback from an expert outside of one’s tradition he feels is essential.
Here is his statement of his accountability
Testimonials
I have been working with Nick as my teacher in social meditation and mentoring groups.
His ability to contextualize, understand and work with very diverse social dynamics, and kind approach stand out to me. He has taught me very valuable lessons on how to create a healthy and safe teaching and retreat situation.
Kim Lokers
Program Developer in the Arts, Communities and Nature, Dharma student.
-Arnhem, The Netherlands
Nick has soo much wisdom to offer. He knows soo many different mediation techniques he can customize them for the individual or for the moment. From short 2 minute sensory awareness mediations to longer deeper styles he has the tools to share. For beginners and advanced people Nick offers great options with his online mediation programs.
Jonathan
Nick is a master at guiding meditation. I felt more focused and relaxed within minutes!!
Eric S
Nick is a person of immense openness, warmth and kindness. He leads us to connect to the essence of life, pointing the greatest truths in the simplest way possible. He puts his deep knowledge of Dharma at the service of people. No matter where we are in our path, it is a tremendous opportunity and privilege to receive his teachings, to be listened to by him, and to be with him as a human being.
Genevieve Martineau
Meeting with Nick provided me with personal insight and direction to support and further my meditation practice. His sense of humor, compassion, and knowledge put me at ease. This was just the kind of instruction I needed, especially being new to meditation.
Amy T
I have known Nick for a quite some time and have been asking him for advise and guidance on many occasions, even though he is much younger than me. Nick possess wisdom, knowledge and experience despite of his age, at the same time he is also very kind, loving and sincere. It all makes you trust Nick without reservations as he always will give me another perspective and tools to live by. Working with Nick is truly life-giving because he never gives up on me, and that helps me to continue growing. He listens to what is going on in my life in such a non judgmental way, that I can see where I am getting stuck. I have found working with him to be clear and inspiring.
Galina O.
A conversation with Nick has always been a joyful experience for me. He definitely has the ability to support, inspire and help me connect to the phenomenal world. I'm very grateful for the compassionate connection I have with him.
Brian Michael Condie
Nick is a person with a tremendous understanding of people and all kinds of issues you may want to work on. He’s an incredible meditation teacher and is also so knowledgeable. I’m really grateful for all his help and so happy I met him. I would highly recommend Nick.
P. Rhoton
Nick is a radically creative teacher. He shows up with a powerful combo of pure genuine feeling and deeply articulate intellectual understanding. I’m so grateful to know this master of metaphor, humour, and tenderness– his teachings move me in a truly special way.
India Gailey,
Cellist
I met Nick Kranz 6 years ago and this meeting has transformed my whole life: my teachings, my clinical practice, and all my relationships. My way of being, listening and speaking has totally changed. Studying with Nick has definitely turned me into a more authentic, fierce and vulnerable human being.
An-Phuong Nguyen,
Meditation teacher and acupuncturist
-Quebec, Canada.
"I have done several retreats with Nick Kranz over the years. He is a warm and caring teacher who goes the extra mile to distill complex teachings into relatable terms for his students. Usually with a lot of humor!"
-paul singleton iii
Artist and Art Therapist
Nick Kranz is a human who has perfected the practice of being authentic. By modeling vulnerability and openness in every encounter, Nick embodies a truth that is the core of the human experience. In a world that is fast paced, hidden beneath facades, and out of touch with nature -- Nick offers a guiding path to reconnect with the goodness that is basic in us all. Ever grateful for his friendship and wisdom. May we all be the change we wish to see in the world.
Amy Turino
PhD
Nick is deeply skilled in translating teachings as tangible, available, understandable, accessible, and relevant resources to apply in daily life. Nick is also uniquely gifted in the art of interpersonal communication and relationship building. Nick is thus not only extremely fluent in the dharma, but utterly simple, relational, and human in his approach. Nick is collaborative, working with us to co-create the space needed to explore what the dharma means on a personal level.
Jonathan P
I have complete confidence in Nick as a skillful, insightful, and generous meditation instructor. Beyond his rigorous training in the study and practice of the discipline, he understands how to apply it to a fast-paced workplace to boost creativity, intelligence, and fearlessness in response to a changing environment.
Susan Piver
New York Times bestselling author and Buddhist teacher
So working with Nick Kranz has been one of the greatest gifts of my life. I first started working with Nick personally when I was going through one of the most difficult and painful challenges in my life and Nick was able to meet me with such compassion and such incredible wisdom. The thing that always blows my mind working with Nick is that he so understands the Dharma that he is able to share it with me in a way that makes so much sense. There is an experience of his complete acceptance, and yet this gentle working with me to help me explore new ways of seeing things and new practices, that help me to become even more of who I really am.
I am in Nick’s Sangha and I have known Nick for I think 5 years now. I was drawn to Nick immediately. He has always demonstrated an amazing ability to be both compassionate and understanding and also knowledgeable. His wisdom is remarkable to me. I feel that every time I have a chance to hear him speak and give a dharma talk and be able to converse with him is a life changing moment for me. I look so forward to it.
Steven Smith
"Nick is a wonderful, beautiful, kind & loving human being full of wisdom. I've had the great pleasure of meditating with and learning from Nick and his methods and teachings have had a profound, beneficial impact on my life and well being."
Lita Kelley
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"Nick is an incredible person. He brings joy and insight to teaching the practice of meditation that our world desperately needs. I highly recommend engaging with Nick, especially his teachings on Social Meditation."
"Nick has a gift for teaching meditation in a delightful, supportive and engaging way. "
I’ve been working with Nick as my meditation instructor for about 5-6 years. His patience and gentleness, his commitment to the Dharma, to what is real, and to the great compassion that arises out of that, might only be surpassed by his commitment to his students, to guiding and supporting their journey - my journey - as students, as practitioners, as human beings. It has been beyond inspiring and empowering for me. It continues to increase my confidence in myself as a student, as a practitioner, as a human being, and is giving me a capacity to be with myself and my experience, no matter what it is, with that same gentleness and patience that Nick brings to his own practice and to working with his students. I’m just so grateful.
Janet Pal
Toronto Ontario
I found Nick perceptive, deeply experienced, intuitive, and caring.
Fred Meyer
New Orleans LA
Three years ago, I realized that though I'd read many Buddhist books, I didn’t understand a lot of it, So I started looking for an online teacher. I’d seen many other teachers on various sites, but I chose Nick not only because of his vast knowledge and understanding of the Dharma, as well as his tender heart, but because he laughed a lot and I take things so seriously. With Nick it doesn’t feel as though he’s leading me on the path but that we’re walking side by side. Studying with Nick is an absolute joy and worth every penny I pay!
Shari Hunt
Sturgis, Michigan
Nick Kranz is very experienced in the practice and teaching of meditation for stress reduction. I have personally found his instruction extremely beneficial, and recommend his class for anyone looking to improve how well they deal with stress.
Paul Greene, Ph.D.
Clinical Psychologist and teacher of Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction
I have been studying meditation for the last three years and Nick has been one of the best teachers that I have met. His teaching style is down to earth, easy to access, yet deeply reflective. Nick combines his deep understanding of meditation with patience and humor to make it fun, educational and helpful for everyone in his class.
Trent Yang
Entrepreneur
As a beginner to the study of meditation, I found Nick’s method of mindfulness meditation to be a perfect introduction. His teaching guided the class in their ability to focus, and the practice sessions were wonderful. It became easier to disregard distractions and join in the peaceful atmosphere of the class. I would recommend Nick Kranz’s classes to anyone interested in stress management and meditation.
Judith E. Patterson
Director of Human Resources
-Massachusetts Institute of Technology
