Teachers: Toni Packer (retired)

"The emergence and blossoming of understanding, love and intelligence has nothing to do with any tradition, no matter how ancient or impressive — it has nothing to do with time. It happens completely on its own when a human being questions, wonders, listens and looks without getting stuck in fear, pleasure and pain. When self concern is quiet, in abeyance, heaven and earth are open. The mystery, the essence of all life is not separate from the silent openness of simple listening." — Toni Packer

Toni Packer is involved in exploring how thought constructs images of self and other, how authority is created, how separation and conflict come into being, and what happens when there is awareness and insight.

Born in Germany, Toni has lived most of her adult life in western New York. From 1976 until recently, she has led retreats in North America and Europe. Health issues now prevent Toni from participation in retreat, but the Center continues to hold retreats featuring her recorded talks. The passionate intensity with which Toni "lives the work" clearly comes alive in her recorded talks.

She is the author of six books, including Seeing Without Knowing / What is Meditative Inquiry, The Work of This Moment, The Light of Discovery, The Wonder of Presence and The Silent Question. Toni makes no special claim to authority. Her approach is at once simple, radical and ordinary.