Larry Ward

Larry Ward was deeply inspired by his association with Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and has spent his life committed to non-violent social change, healing, and transformation on a global level. He received his Bachelor’s degree in Psychology and Organizational Behavior and has worked for multinational and national corporations in organizational development as a consultant and executive coach for companies including: US Bank, Hewlett-Packard, and Albertsons, Inc. He also worked in 35 countries in his capacity as International Director of the Institute of Cultural Affairs and has been engaged in socio-economic development projects in urban and rural areas throughout the world. Larry Ward is an ordained Christian Minister and received Dharma Teacher Transmission in 2000 by Venerable Thich Nhat Hanh. He is a leading proponent of Engaged Buddhism in the United States and leads retreats in mindfulness and Engaged Buddhism around the world (i.e. Vietnam, China, Korea, Canada, Mexico, France and the United States). On behalf of the Unified Buddhist Church, he helped to found Deer Park Monastery in Escondido, California and is a trusted and valued advisor to his teacher Thich Nhat Hanh. He has founded and led sanghas/congregations and residential lay communities in the U.S., provides pastoral care and counseling, officiates at weddings and memorial/funeral services, and mentors ministerial students and Zen priests in the Order of Interbeing. Larry Ward has served as spiritual educator and advisor as part of the Ecumenical team of clergy with Hospice of Santa Barbara Larry Ward is currently a doctoral candidate in Religious Studies with a major in Buddhism and his first book Love’s Garden: A Guide to Mindful Relationships, co-authored with his wife Peggy Rowe-Ward, Ph.D., has been published by Parallax Press in 2008. He is Director of The Lotus Institute, a non-profit religious and educational institution, and is a member of the Adjunct Faculty at Claremont Graduate University where he has co-taught the course, “Working Mindfully with Marginalized Children and Youth” with Dr. Lourdes Arguellas. In his leisure time, Larry Ward enjoys playing golf and seeing movies.

 Larry Ward on his current interests:

I am committed to offering mindfulness teachings, principles and practices to individuals, professionals and institutions with the aim of encouraging personal and collective healing and transformation in ways that enhance planetary social evolution. My current interest is in researching and publishing findings that reveal the importance of applied Buddhism in our post-modern era and its potential in shaping human cultural development. I am currently pursuing a case study on University programs that explore mindfulness research, training and practices. Meanwhile, I continue to be a resource for individuals and groups globally through the dharma programs of The Lotus Institute. These include retreats, seminars, broadcasting, publications and on-line education.

 Contact information: larry@thelotusinstitute.org