Teachers

Elaine Jackson

Elaine Jackson is a founding member of Vajrapani Institute and has been a student of Tibetan Buddhism since 1977. She has studied with many of the greatest Buddhist teachers of our time including His Holiness the Dalai Lama, Lama Thubten Yeshe, Kyabje Zong Rinpoche, Lama Thubten Zopa Rinpoche and many others too numerous to list. Elaine is known for the warmth and humor with which she teaches. In particular, she loves sharing the wealth of practical insights she has gained from her years of retreat and service within the Tibetan Buddhist tradition.

Elaine served as Executive Director of Vajrapani Institute for over five years and has also completed a three-year meditation retreat. She lives a contemplative life off-the-grid in the Santa Cruz mountains while offering Dharma teachings and meditation support.

Testimonials about Elaine:
“Elaine’s teachings touched me deeply. She embodies the spirit of the teachings.” (Andrea – New Years Retreat 2018)
“Elaine has changed the trajectory of my life.” (Jamie – New Years Retreat 2018)

Events with Elaine Jackson

Transforming the Mind to Cultivate Lasting Happiness
February 23 - March 23, 2025

Buddhist Mind Science: Activating Your Potential is an FPMT introductory course.  Buddhism is considered by some to be a “science of mind” because it presents a comprehensive map describing the mind and its various aspects and functions. The Buddha’s teachings also provide methods to observe the mind directly and to discover and activate our inner potential. And it does so with one intention: to overcome suffering and its causes, and to cultivate true, lasting happiness.   The Buddhist Mind Science series is being offered in collaboration with Thubten Norbu Ling, our sister FPMT center in Santa Fe, New Mexico. Elaine…

Experiential Vajrayogini Retreat
May 22 - 25, 2025

Please join us for an experiential Vajrayogini Retreat with long-time FPMT Teacher and Vajrapani Founding Member, Elaine Jackson. Elaine is a student favorite, known for her warmth and skill in guiding her students through these profound and transformative tantric practices.   Elaine shares her heartfelt experiences about Vajrayogini Practice:   “My dear, dear friends, how wonderful that we will meet again to explore our relationship with Vajrayogini. I have seen over many years of practice that there is an alchemy, a gradual change, that manifests when I embrace the practice from a felt sense and try to bring that sense…