Rion Pendergrass, PhD

Rion is a white person of central and northern European ancestry. Rion has been practicing in Buddhist traditions for more than 25 years. These practices have supported his personal healing journey and understanding his transgender identity. He believes in sharing these practices to support others on their spiritual path, and encouraging each person in the path home to their hearts, minds, bodies, and the Earth. He teaches meditation and has also been teaching ancestral healing practices, especially for white-identified individuals working through the complexity of their colonizing lineages, to engage in healing within and to engage in repair externally in support of dismantling white supremacy. He is currently becoming a chaplain through Starr King for the School of the Ministry. Rion completed his meditation teaching training through the East Bay Meditation Center (EBMC) Spiritual Teaching and Leadership Program. Rion also completed a year-long program with the New York Zen Center for Contemplative care, as well as a Year of Engaged Buddhism through the Insight Meditation Center of Washington D.C.. Rion is currently in the Dharmapala Training with teachers Thanissara and Kittisaro. Rion's chaplaincy work focuses on accompanying people, especially through death and grief, and also supporting individuals who are building their own spiritual journey as they identify their path to wholeness. Rion is also a trained scientist, and lives in Portland Oregon.