Bart Mendel has been a Buddhist practitioner and teacher for over 30 years, artfully balancing the Dharma with the worldly challenges of family life and running a successful business. Bart is adept at translating Buddhist philosophical concepts into simple language that speaks to the speed and stress of modern life, and is known for his eloquence, insightfulness and humor.

In 1976 Bart embarked on an intense path of practice and study, spending 20 years with the renowned meditation master Chogyam Trungpa Rinpoche. He was also a devoted student of the late 16th Gyalwa Karmapa and currently studies under the direction of the spiritual leaders of the Karma Kagyu Lineage, one of the four main schools of Tibetan Buddhism.

Bart is President of Stonemark Construction Management, a professional consulting firm that specializes in planning of the design and management of construction projects. He serves as the Construction Manager for Mahamudra Hermitage, a retreat center currently under development in upstate New York. Bart is a licensed General Contractor, ICBO Certified Building Inspector and is LEED Accredited in the design and construction of Green buildings.

Bart & his wife actively support several nonprofit organizations dedicated to creating positive change including a center for public meditation and environmental awareness planned for the Central Coast of California.