meditation teacher. death doula. advocate. anxious buddhist.

 

Whatever brought you here: curiosity about your own mind, a loss you're experiencing or carrying, navigating life as it keeps shifting under your feet - this is a space to begin, deepen, or return to a practice that works with complexity instead of fighting against it. I don't work from a one-size-fits-all approach, instead offering more flexible, personalized options grounded in accessibility, not boilerplate standards. More information, more resources, more ways to meet yourself where you are, so you can find what fits the shape of your actual life.

The world isn't fixed, predictable, or permanent, and neither are we. 

who am i?

A certified meditation teacher and death doula whose own practice has been about learning to know and accept herself, day by day — and letting go of the impossibility of perfection.
[read more of my story →]

working with me

1:1 meditation mentoring, grief support, end-of-life planning — all shaped around your individual needs and circumstances
[more offering details →]

written musings

Reflections on curiosity, grief, the body, and whatever else is moving through practice lately.
[see all writings →]

Interruption Is the Practice

I have a confession to make. After decades of practice, I still have a hard time getting to the cushion some days. My mind gets so creative with what suddenly feels urgent. Of course, I tell myself, I’ll meditate right after I do that thing — but that thing reminds me of another thing, and since I’m already up, I might as well do that other thing, too. Maybe you’re familiar with this mode, even if you’re not a meditator or someone who struggles to get to the cushion. I know I’m not alone in this, because one of the

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August 2, 2026 No Comments

To Scratch or Not to Scratch?

 “Mindfulness trains us to respond, not react, with awareness and discernment. To scratch or not to scratch? That’s up to you. To notice the itch (literal or metaphorical) and choose the response is the practice.” At 21, I ended up at a 10-day meditation retreat in snowy New England. My practice was minimal, but I was the type to dive in headfirst — intense and impulsive. Looking back, there were many reasons this wasn’t the best way to start a consistent practice. But I took the strict instructions as gospel: “This is what it takes to be a good meditator. No

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July 21, 2026 No Comments

Microdosing Grief

One common thread in almost all my interactions with students and colleagues alike is the heaviness of this moment in time. More than ever, my sessions are addressing a kind of existential heaviness and sadness. It can feel so hard, maybe even impossible, to stay openhearted amidst such global hostility, devastation, and heartbreak. Over the years, as both a meditation teacher and a death doula, it’s become clear to me that we, culturally, lack the skills to grieve. As meditators and/or Buddhists, we may be intellectually familiar with impermanence. Everything is impermanent; we’ve heard it, said it, maybe hundreds of

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June 16, 2026 No Comments
Spent time with Rene in meditation training and on retreat. Rene's ability to teach the framework and live the practice of vulnerability resonated with me deeply. When an individual lives a practice with openness, curiosity, kindness, and courage, inspiration is certain.
Alex Wright
I met René at the Dharma Moon Mindfulness teacher training in 2023, and subsequent to that, collaborated with her on two Teacher’s Lounge meetings, which was enjoyable. I admire René for her kindness, intelligence and warmth. She is an excellent teacher—both compassionate and insightful.
Barbara
When René held a Death Cafe during one of the teacher meet-ups, it was very refreshing to speak of it openly. There is a certain poignancy in talking about this universal experience, with whatever feelings are present-fear, curiosity, acceptance, sweetness, whatever. In that gathering, I shared an anecdote about an experience I had with my transplant nephrologist. I was telling him about my father‘s upcoming 90th birthday. I said I wasn’t expecting to live so long- in kind of a casual, matter of fact way. My nephrologist just let my statement sit-not attempting to make me “feel better” or say I’d live a long time. It felt like a gift of presence and truth. Rene has that quality. A solid gentleness, that is not trying to mask anything. I deeply admire your radical presence, support, and solidarity. Thank you for making conversations about death and impermanence so relevant and accessible.
Kristin
A longtime practitioner, but coursing through life, was looking for a refresher. Dharma Moon's training was excellent! But, it was easy to forget as work intensified. Having the MMTT Graduate meditation and office- community practice space with Rene and colleagues- has been an anchor, a lifeline. Dharma Moon is like the moon pointing a finger at me (outside with the evening stars) reminding me to constantly return to what's really important that constitutes living. Rene has been so real, authentic, and yet masterful.
Little Ox
I have had the pleasure of working with René during my meditation teacher training. René has helped me to develop a deeper sense of self compassion in my practice and in life. She demonstrates this through sharing her own personal experience and struggles, and shares ways in which self-compassion can show up in our practice and lives in different ways. As someone who used to constantly push through, and who was critical when my mind and body did not function in the way I wanted them to, her teachings have helped me to listen to my body and honour what it is communicating to me. I am very grateful to have the opportunity to work with René.
S. Pillai
I’ve had the honor of learning from Rene during Dharma Moon’s MMTT, on retreat, in sangha, and from checking out articles they’ve written. Rene has been instrumental in helping me expand my perspective to be more informed, inclusive, and intentional in my personal meditation practice, as a teacher, and in the way I speak to myself.
Erin Adams
After 30 years of responding to crises and making decisions under pressure, I realized that I had become skilled at functioning under stress but not recovering from it. I turned to meditation looking for relief, only to become frustrated because I thought I was supposed to clear my mind. I met Rene Fay during my certification... She connected with me at a time when sitting still felt nearly impossible, and I convinced myself I was failing. What I eventually learned from Rene was that my mind wasn't the problem—my nervous system had simply been conditioned to stay on high alert. That realization and her guidance transformed my understanding of meditation and ultimately my life... What began as a personal search for stress relief became the foundation of my work helping first responders and leaders understand that wellness isn't a luxury—it's an attainable skill.
Dr. Tracie L Keesee
René is relatable, kind, and encouraging. Her words land gently, powerfully, and effectively; which is exactly what is needed for the moment we're meeting together.
John Ooi
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