Bio
I’m a father, partner, University lecturer, beekeeper, and Dharma practitioner—a householder walking the path in the midst of modern life.
I teach at Burlington Dharma Collective, Bhumisparsha, Inward Bound, Barre Center for Buddhist Studies, Cambridge Insight Meditation Center, the Contemplative Semester, and elsewhere. My practice arises from a longing for awakening and liberation for myself and others. I’ve been teaching mindfulness and Dharma in retreat centers, college classrooms, living rooms, and the outdoors for 10 years.
I have always been deeply curious about the nature of mind, magic, dreams, and the mystery of consciousness. I began formal meditation at the age of 19, sitting under a tulip poplar in the Blue Ridge Mountains, opening my senses to the forest. When I was 24, life-threatening injuries from a car accident marked a turning point in my life. I found Insight meditation (Vipassana) and fell in love with the Dharma. My practice has always been supported by an eclectic mix of teachings and techniques. It’s rooted in Buddhadharma and draws on the wisdom of traditions such as the Western mystery tradition, nature connection practices, indigenous teachings, and dreamwork. Since 2017, I’ve worked closely with Lama Rod Owens, focused on practicing Vajrayana Buddhism.
Inspired by the vision of the Bhumisparsha Sangha and the deep community of meditators and aspiring practitioners where I live, I co-founded the Burlington Dharma Collective in Burlington, Vermont. Our goal is to support one another in connecting to the compassionate nature of the heart and the awakened essence of our minds so that we can be agents of liberation for ourselves, each other, and our communities.
I’m also a Senior Lecturer in the Rubenstein School of Environment and Natural Resources at the University of Vermont. I teach classes on ecology, honey bee culture, mindfulness in the Anthropocene, environmental justice, and critical reflection and dialogue.
I believe we are living in unprecedented times that call for new ways of knowing and being, and that contemplative practice can open us to this kind of radical transformation.
I live in the Champlain Valley of Vermont with my partner, son, and tens of thousands of honey bees.
Teachers
I’ve been blessed with many teachers in many forms throughout my life. I’ve practiced with Lama Rod Owens, my primary Dharma teacher, since 2017 and have taught with him since 2021. Lama Justin von Bujdoss has also been a generous guide in the world of Tantric Buddhism.
My first formal Dharma teacher was Ginny Morgan, who started Show Me Dharma in her living room in Columbia, Missouri. When I met her in 2005, Ginny was dying of cancer. It seems we met on the path of life–her approaching the end of her journey in this world, while I was emerging from a near death experience and trying to find my way back. At a time when I was desperate for a path to freedom, she showed me what is possible with deep and committed practice. I will be forever grateful for her wisdom, courage, and generosity. Ginny passed in 2011.
I’ve benefited from the teachings of many other skillful and experienced teachers in the Insight tradition at the Insight Meditation Society, the Forest Refuge, and Spirit Rock.
And there are teachers that I’ve never shared physical space with but whose teachings have deeply shaped my practice. Some of these include Adyashanti, Nisargadatta Maharaj, and Rob Burbea.
Jan Frazier is a teacher and friend whose presence and transmission has had a profound effect on my life and practice. I’ve also learned from teachers in other traditions, such as Kaylynn Sullivan TwoTrees, John Young, and Patrick MacManaway.
I share these influences to offer a glimpse of the traditions and teachings that shape my practice and to honor all the teachers and practitioners, known and unknown, who nurture the vast, mysterious, and liberating stream of Dharma in it’s broadest sense. A deep bow to these teachers and the many others I haven’t named here.
Teaching with Lama Rod Owens and Sister Sadada at Wonderwell Mountain Refuge, 2022.
Testimonials
Student, Honey Bee Culture, University of Vermont, 2022
Zac created the most inclusive environment I have ever been in, in all my 13.5 years of schooling.
Student, Meditation as a Tool for Leadership retreat for MIT Sloan School students at the Cambridge Insight Meditation Center (CIMC), 2022
These three days were entirely different from all other Sloan classes I’ve taken. They opened my mind in a way that was entirely unexpected, and I think they will have a significant impact on me going forward. Part of me feels that every Sloan student should have to take this class.
Student, Mindfulness and the Anthropocene, University of Vermont, 2024
Probably the best course I have taken at UVM. No other course has changed my worldview this much. Taught mindfulness in a secular way, without leaving out any of the inherent problems of secularization. This should be highly incentivized for environmental students to take. The readings were extremely interesting, and just have had such a positive experience!
Student, University of Vermont, 2023
“It is clear where Zac's passions lie because his depth of knowledge about social justice, the environment, and mindfulness are evident in every setting. In class he provided examples of current events applicable to the material which were gracefully intertwined with textbook knowledge of topics.”
Student, Applied Environmental Assessment and Analysis, University of Vermont, 2021
“Overall this is probably one of the best courses I have had at my time at UVM. It completely broke my expectations of the course and introduced much more important subject matter around equity and justice that needed to be shared.”
Student, Meditation as a Tool for Leadership retreat for MIT Sloan School students at the Cambridge Insight Meditation Center (CIMC), 2022
The depth with which we were able to jump into practicing mediation to get a glimpse of how challenging and rewarding it could be was really transformative. The space, focus and rigor that the course provided was so critical to its success and really exceeded my expectations of being introduced to meditation and how it can improve my self awareness and decision making.
Student, Honey Bee Culture, University of Vermont, 2021
“Zac teaches from his heart. That is the best way to teach in my opinion.”
Student, Mindfulness and the Anthropocene, University of Vermont, 2024
This course allowed me to access a skill that I hadn't fully tapped into before, nor did I ever feel equipped or confident enough to pursue. However, Zac's hand–picked readings, in–class activities, and guided homeworks helped me dive head first into mindfulness. Not only did we learn exactly what mindfulness is and how to do it, but we learned how to cultivate freedom, love, and kindness in difficult times, difficult places, and with difficult people. I am beyond grateful for the traditional and practical knowledge learned in this course, and have gained a genuine respect and passion for Buddhist mindfulness and its profound impacts on the world.
Student, Critical Reflection and Dialogue, University of Vermont, 2023
“The mindfulness practice was a perfect way to start this course. I almost always felt centered, grounded, and engaged during the discussions. I felt welcomed and accepted.”