Our journey, our purpose

Geshe Sonam Choephel was born in Tibet and is a Geshe Lharampa (PhD in Tibetan Buddhist philosophy). He trained at Drepung Loseling Monastery in South India and also studied science at Emory University in the United States as a Tenzin Gyatso Scholar. He later completed advanced tantric studies at Gyumed Monastery and served as co-director of the Drepung Loseling Meditation and Science Center. He has taught meditation, Tibetan Buddhism, language, and culture internationally, including serving as a resident teacher at the Mahabodhi Education Center in South Korea from 2019 to 2025. He also co-founded the Korea Tibetan Cultural Academic Research Institute, where he worked as a researcher and translator. Currently, he serves as the chairperson of the Loseling Altruistic Medical Association, a nonprofit public health initiative. His work focuses on making meditation and Buddhist teachings accessible and practical for modern audiences.

Geshe Rinchen Wangyal is a Tibetan Buddhist monk, teacher, and translator. He received my monastic education at Drepung Losel Ling Monastery, where he completed a bachelor’s degree in Buddhist Studies. In 2007, he enrolled at the Institute of Buddhist Dialectics to pursue studies in Buddhism and non-sectarian Tibetan philosophical traditions, completing a thesis on Middle Way philosophy and earning the MPhil degree. In 2015, he was awarded the Geshe degree in Buddhist Studies from the same institute in India. He also holds a bachelor’s degree in Philosophy, Religion, and Ethics from the University of Winchester in the UK. From 2017 to 2021, he served as a translator and teacher at the Meditation and Science Centre at Drepung Losel Ling Monastery. Currently, he serves as the resident teacher at Jamyang Buddhist Centre in Leeds. Published Works: - Emotional Awareness by the Dalai Lama and Paul Ekman (Tibetan translation) -Analysis of Some Difficult Aspects in the Madhyamika School by Geshe Palden Drakpa (English translation) -The Mirror Illuminating the Meaning: A Commentary on the Heart Sutra by Geshe Lharampa Tsering Norbu (English translation, forthcoming)

Ananda was raised in a Tibetan Buddhist family and has been a practitioner her whole life. She studied Tibetan language and religion at the University of Oxford and recently completed her MA in Social Anthropology at SOAS, where her research explored the lived realities of Tibetan Buddhist nuns. She is passionate about making the living wisdom of Buddhism accessible to everyone, which is what drew her to working on the Meditators app.

Stephen James Pigott is a researcher exploring religion, intellectual history, and the formation of belief. He is the host of the Guru Viking Podcast, which features in-depth interviews with remarkable teachers and scholars in the fields of contemplative practice and religion. Steve travels internationally leading workshops in somatic enquiry, contemplative practice, interpersonal skills, and high performance. His private consulting practice focuses on the strategic challenges faced by highly visible individuals in the arts, media, and leadership. Steve has taught at the Esalen Institute, 1440 Multiversity, Sarnath International Nyingma Institute (India), Sowa Rigpa Forum (Estonia), Science and NonDuality Conference (San Jose), Radiant Intimacy (Scotts Valley), Summit Series, Summit at Sea, and the National Health Service (NHS). Steve is the founder of the Movement Koan®️ Method, a fusion of joint-nourishing movement and body-based mindfulness available in a series of DVD/Downloads. He is currently pursuing postgraduate studies in Tibetology at the University of Oxford. Website: www.guruviking.com

Tenzin Choephel was born in Tibet and later trained as a monk at Drepung Monastery in India, studying Buddhist meditation and philosophy. He went on to study at the University of Oxford and the University of Edinburgh. Tenzin brings years of experience in meditation and Tibetan Buddhism, along with a deep understanding of Tibetan culture. He has led guided meditations and discussions on Buddhist philosophy, including as President of the Buddhist and Meditation Society at the University of Edinburgh. He is also the author of The Manual of Authentic Tibetan (2018) and has worked as a Tibetan language teacher, translator and interpreter for Tibetan Buddhist teachers.

Maxim is a software engineer with over 8 years of experience, specializing in AI and machine learning. He has spent most of his career in startups and small teams, gaining hands-on experience across the full product development cycle. Several years ago, he developed a deep interest in meditation and mindfulness, exploring Buddhist traditions and their practical application in everyday life. He believes these practices can bring clarity, resilience, and deeper self-understanding — both personally and professionally. Meditators is an attempt to bring that perspective into a structured, accessible form, helping others build a more intentional relationship with their own mind. Alongside his work in technology, Maxim writes historical fiction, exploring themes such as the search for meaning, the power of intention, and the complexity of human choices.