MINNEAPOLIS INSIGHT - Key Persons
Alex Haley leads residential meditation retreats around the country as well as researching meditation and embodiment through the Integrative Health and Wellbeing Research Program at the University of Minnesota. Alex's personal practice and teaching focus on the transformative potential of the Nine Bodies Insight practice method, which he learned under the guidance of Phillip Moffitt, Dana DePalma and Tuere Sala.
Beginning in high school, Alex has studied and practiced meditation for more than 25 years, including many multi-month retreats of intensive practice. Alex completed Spirit Rock's Community Dharma Leader program in 2012 and graduated from the SRMC/IMS/IRC four-year teacher training in 2016 under the guidance of his mentors Joseph Goldstein and Guy Armstrong. Alex holds a Masters Degree in Cognitive Science from the University of Minnesota, and is also a Somatic Experiencing Practitioner, trained Co-Active coach, certified Myers-Briggs practitioner and founding member of the Mindfulness for Students network. Alex is a guiding teacher and member of the teachers' council at Minneapolis Insight. Alex is passionate about community-based healing and technology for wellbeing. Alex is also a parent of a rambunctious elementary school kiddo and loves to play (and practice meditation) outside in the heart of frigid Midwest winters.
Alex is a meditation practitioner, practice leader, and community organizer who is dedicated to engaged Buddhism which applies the dharma in the service of positive social change. Alex's practice is grounded in early Buddhist teachings, especially the Satipatthana Sutta. He has been trained by the University of Minnesota to lead secular mindfulness trainings, was a member of Spirit Rock's Community Dharma Leader Training Program (cohort six), and has spent over 100 days in silent meditation retreat. Alex leads the Social Impact team at Ovative Group, a marketing agency in Minneapolis, and has managed or volunteered with multiple electoral and legislative campaigns at the city, state, and national level.
Benjamin is a dedicated Buddhist meditation practitioner and practice leader. He has a passion for studying classical Buddhism and integrating it with a contemporary, urban lifestyle. His practice is anchored in 10+ months of cumulative silent meditation retreats. He has trained to lead meditation offerings at Spirit Rock Meditation Center (CDL6), UCLA Mindful Awareness Research Center, University of Minnesota, and United Theological Seminary. He is a Certified Mindfulness Teacher - Professional Level by the International Mindfulness Teachers Association.
In early 2021 Benjamin left a decade-long career as a serial entrepreneur to focus full-time on practicing and sharing meditation. He is a founding staff member at Dharma Ground, a Buddhist non-profit, and is the Director of Meditation and Mindfulness at Shen Acupuncture + Meditation Studio in Northeast Minneapolis.
Jean is a clinical social worker who teaches mindfulness in a variety of settings. She has been a consultant to several local organizations on mindfulness and stress reduction as well as the use of mindfulness as an adjunct to psychotherapy. She has also designed and facilitated mind/body groups for persons suffering from symptoms of anxiety and depression as part of her private psychotherapy practice. Before becoming a social worker, Jean worked for many years in higher education administration. Her most recent position in this capacity was Vice President for Information Services and Technology at the University of St. Thomas where she was responsible for the libraries and information technology services.