TEACHERS
Meet Our Teachers
At IMCR, we have two regular teachers and occasionally welcome guest teachers. Below, you’ll find their bios and other information. The first bio is from our Guiding Teacher Marjolein Janssen, below that you’ll find Carolyn Stachowski’s bio, our other regular teacher.
Guiding Teacher
Marjolein Janssen
Marjolein Janssen (pronunciation “Mar-yo-line”) has been practicing insight meditation intensively in Europe, the US, as well as Myanmar, where she was ordained as a Buddhist nun.
Marjolein brings practice in daily life, as well as formal practice to her teachings. She seeks to offer a practical approach to Buddhist concepts and ideas. Her sharing of the Dharma comes from her wish to contribute to the freedom and happiness of all beings.
She practices and teaches meditation in the insight tradition, also called vipassana. Her teachers are the Burmese monk Sayadaw U Tejaniya, as well as the Western teachers Andrea Fella, Susie Harrington and Gil Fronsdal.
Marjolein has a bachelor’s degree in Social Psychology. Additionally, she is a graduate of the Hakomi Comprehensive Training, and a certified Buddhist Eco-Chaplain. Currently she is training as a Retreat Dharma Teacher with Gil Fronsdal and Andrea Fella. And as a Nature Retreat Teacher with Susie Harrington, Gil Fronsdal and Mark Coleman.
In addition to her passion, sharing the dharma, she also dedicates time to further practice of the Buddhist path.
Besides teaching at IMCR, she also co-teaches the weekly online Tuesday sit at the Insight Meditation Center in Redwood City, CA. In addition, she started the Bright Dharma YouTube channel.
Marjolein is originally from the Netherlands. She now lives in Richmond, VA.
“When I came in contact with the Dharma I immediately felt a deep connection. The wisdom of the Buddha’s teachings still inspires me every day. I feel grateful that I can pass on some of that inspiration by sharing my experiences and insights with others.”
Dana (Donation)
If you would like to give Dana (a donation) to Marjolein, you may use the PayPal or Venmo link below. (What is Dana?)
Marjolein's Website and YouTube Channel
Teachers
Carolyn Stachowski
Carolyn has been practicing meditation with IMCW since 2006. She is in the foodservice business, and practices painting in oils and watercolors. In 2009, she helped to found Insight on the Inside, training volunteers to teach meditation to incarcerated people, people who have experienced homelessness, and has taught in substance abuse treatment, mental health, and reentry units, and young men 18 to 25.
She graduated from the Meditation Teacher Training Institute in 2013. In 2019 she took the Eight Lifetime Precepts with Bhante Gunaratana and is active in supporting a local Buddhist center, Dassanaya.
Carolyn teaches what the Buddha taught to the best of her understanding. In her classes, time is dedicated to dialogue with participants, with the emphasis on application of the teachings.
Dana (Donation)
If you would like to give Dana (a donation) to Carolyn, you may use the Venmo link below. (What is Dana?)