Karen Russell has been teaching Meditation and Buddhadharma since the late 1980s, after graduating from the three-year program at the Kinmount Academy and Seminary. She has a great love for both Buddhist and Christian teachings with a particular interest in Sanbo Zen International and Vajrayana disciplines, as well as the teachings through the Carmelite Order. Karen has had the great honour of studying and doing retreat work with many teachers from these traditions and draws from them when teaching. Astronomy, Art and Poetry also play a big role her teaching. Karen’s daily life has long been dedicated to assisting people in many of society’s difficult struggles. She is actively involved in social justice work concerning climate change. For 5 years, she was dedicated to the care of her mom who had Alzheimer’s and gained vast insight into the working of Ontario’s social care system.

Karen and Lisa Cowen created the Virtual Dharma Temple in response to the pandemic. This platform provided opportunity for people to hear the Dharma. Simultaneously, Karen facilitated a small group of dedicated practitioners for three years by leading the Medicine Buddha and White Tara practices. Presently she is leading the White Manjushri practice twice a week.