Gayah (Imani) Gillson began her meditation journey studying the teachings of Thich Nhat Hanh and then subsequently studied directly with S.N. Goenka, Ruth Denison, Ven. Pannavati and Ven. Pannadipa, Ruth King, Gina Sharp, Phillip Moffit, Bhikkhu Bodhi, Deepak Chopra, Arisika Rasak, Larry Yang, Pascal Auclair, and Kittisaro and Thanissara.
Gayah [pronounced Guy-uh] is a Dharmacharya Lay-Ordained Monastic Minister, Theravadan practitioner with Mahayana, Vajrayana, and Zen influences.
She/They/Kin graduated from the Dedicated Practitioner Program at Spirit Rock Meditation Center, in Woodacre, California. Gayah has additional roots in intersectional spiritual/mysticism/wisdom practices such as indigenous ceremonies, orisha circles and new-thought christianity.
She also has background training in Peer Counseling, Compassionate Communication and healing racial trauma. She is a California Certified Mediator, has studied Restorative/Transformative Justice and served as a Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA).
Her teaching venues include NYIMC (POC class) at Brooklyn Zen Center, Zen Center of Syracuse, Syracuse University, Dai Bosatsu Zendo Kongo-Ji Zen Studies Society, Gowanus Community Art Center, Brooklyn POC and Allies Sangha Online. She has taught, facilitated, and co-created retreats and workshops in the US and abroad, in Brazil. At both East Bay Meditation Center (EBMC) in Oakland (CA) and at the Heartwood Refuge and Retreat Center in Hendersonville (NC) Gayah has taught the sutras by using her theatrical skills to bring ancient texts to life.
As an actress, director, songwriter, artist, lgbtq activist, community organizer, and international speaker-presenter, Gayah brings dharmic values and principles to all activities. She Is the founding director of Theater of the Liberated, as well as chief enthusiasm officer of Artist Temple Film & Music – both companies specializing in creating performance and distribution art through a social justice and spiritual healing lens.