Joan Halifax

From WikiMD's Food, Medicine & Wellness Encyclopedia

Joan Halifax (cropped)

Joan Halifax (born July 30, 1942) is an American Zen Buddhist teacher, anthropologist, ecologist, civil rights activist, hospice caregiver, and author. She is the founder, abbot, and head teacher of Upaya Institute and Zen Center, a Buddhist monastery in Santa Fe, New Mexico.

Early Life and Education[edit | edit source]

Joan Halifax was born in Hanover, New Hampshire. She attended Tulane University where she earned a degree in anthropology. She later pursued a Ph.D. in medical anthropology at Columbia University.

Career[edit | edit source]

Anthropology and Ethnobotany[edit | edit source]

In the early stages of her career, Halifax worked with Alan Lomax on the study of folk music and culture. She also collaborated with Stanislav Grof in the field of transpersonal psychology and conducted research on the use of psychedelics in the treatment of terminally ill patients.

Zen Buddhism[edit | edit source]

Joan Halifax began her formal Zen training in the 1970s under the guidance of Seung Sahn, a Korean Zen master. She later studied with Thich Nhat Hanh, a Vietnamese Zen master, and received the Dharma transmission from Bernie Glassman, a prominent American Zen teacher.

In 1990, she founded the Upaya Institute and Zen Center in Santa Fe, New Mexico, which focuses on the integration of Zen practice with social action, environmental sustainability, and end-of-life care.

Social Activism[edit | edit source]

Halifax has been actively involved in various social justice movements, including the Civil Rights Movement and the anti-Vietnam War movement. She has also worked extensively in the field of hospice care, providing support and training for caregivers and developing programs for the terminally ill.

Publications[edit | edit source]

Joan Halifax is the author of several books, including:

  • The Human Encounter with Death (co-authored with Stanislav Grof)
  • Shamanic Voices: A Survey of Visionary Narratives
  • The Fruitful Darkness: A Journey Through Buddhist Practice and Tribal Wisdom
  • Being with Dying: Cultivating Compassion and Fearlessness in the Presence of Death

Awards and Recognition[edit | edit source]

Halifax has received numerous awards for her contributions to Buddhism, anthropology, and social activism. She is a recipient of the National Endowment for the Humanities Fellowship and has been recognized by various organizations for her work in end-of-life care.

Personal Life[edit | edit source]

Joan Halifax resides at the Upaya Institute and Zen Center in Santa Fe, New Mexico, where she continues to teach and guide students in Zen practice and social engagement.

See Also[edit | edit source]

References[edit | edit source]

External Links[edit | edit source]


Wiki.png

Navigation: Wellness - Encyclopedia - Health topics - Disease Index‏‎ - Drugs - World Directory - Gray's Anatomy - Keto diet - Recipes

Search WikiMD


Ad.Tired of being Overweight? Try W8MD's physician weight loss program.
Semaglutide (Ozempic / Wegovy and Tirzepatide (Mounjaro / Zepbound) available.
Advertise on WikiMD

WikiMD is not a substitute for professional medical advice. See full disclaimer.

Credits:Most images are courtesy of Wikimedia commons, and templates Wikipedia, licensed under CC BY SA or similar.

Contributors: Prab R. Tumpati, MD