Gary Sanders is a seasoned meditation teacher and dharma guide based in Los Angeles, CA. As the founder of SCV Mindfulness, Heavy Metta PDX, Boundless Heart, and others, Gary has dedicated himself to sharing the transformative power of Buddhist practices with diverse communities across North America.
Authorized to lead Buddhist meditation and dharma groups at Against the Stream Buddhist Meditation Society, Gary’s teaching journey expanded when he joined the staff at Portland Insight Meditation Community. There, he was honored to be empowered to teach in the lineage of the revered Ruth Denison.
Gary’s approach is deeply rooted in the heart-based practices of the Buddha, which he explores and shares through daylong retreats, workshops, and online sessions. His current practice focuses on Tranquil Wisdom Insight Meditation, which he has skillfully integrated into a unique blend of mindfulness techniques.
As a frequent contributor to The Tattooed Buddha community, Buddhist Recovery Network, and other communities and platforms, Gary creates meditation videos that make Buddhist teachings accessible and relevant to contemporary practitioners. His compassionate guidance and innovative teaching methods have touched the lives of students across the globe, helping them cultivate mindfulness, wisdom, and inner peace.

Previous Teachings
Angulimala and the Wreckage of our Past
Many of us come into recovery, change our lives completely, and then get utterly surprised and disappointed when the closest ones around us still don’t trust or believe us. Some...
Facing Our Inner Demons – Online Summit 2025
October 18, 2025 @ 8:30 am - October 19, 2025 @ 12:00 pm PDTFacing Our Inner Demons – BRN Online Summit A 2-day Buddhist recovery summit of tools, truth, and transformation. October 18th and 19th, 2025 8:30am – 12:00pm PDT 11:30am – 3:00pm...
Metta: Cultivating A Boundless Heart with Gary Sanders
June 21, 2025 @ 10:00 am - 4:00 pm EDTA day-long workshop with Gary Sanders of Boundless Heart Dharma hosted by Recovery Dharma Pennsylvania Saturday, June 21 · 10am – 4pm EDT. Doors at 9:15am
Gary Sanders – Just assume the answer to every question is compassion
“Just assume the answer to every question is compassion” – Father Greg Boyle in his book Tattoos on the Heart: The Power of Boundless Compassion In Buddhism, compassion is the...
Forgiveness on the Path to Recovery
So many of us come into sobriety with a really poor relationship with ourselves and so heavily burdened with resentments towards ourselves and others. By practicing forgiveness, not in a...
Emotional Sobriety: Comfortable in Your Own Skin
Facebook Event Link: https://www.facebook.com/events/1400167713509983/</p> Gary Sanders lives in Portland, OR. He is originally from the Los Angeles area, where he was the founder of SCV Mindfulness and led up to three...
Gratitude Turns What We Have Into Enough and More
“Recovery and gratitude seem to go hand in hand. In the heat of our addictions, whether substance or process, we all tend to really focus on the hardships of our...
All Academy Teachers
- Anshin Devin Ashwood
- Carol Cano
- Caroline Brazier
- Cathryn Jacob
- Caverly Morgan
- Dalila Bothwell
- Dave Smith
- Eddie LeShure
- Fresh “Lev” White
- Gaylon Ferguson
- George Johns
- Joan Tollifson
- Joseph Clements
- Kaira Jewel Lingo
- Kara Haney
- Kate Johnston
- Kevin Griffin
- Laura Burges
- Loch Kelly
- Martine Batchelor
- Mary Stancavage
- Mikey Livid
- Myokei Caine-Barrett
- Pablo Das
- Rachel Lewis
- Ralph Steele
- Rev. Christie Bates (Acharya Passatininna)
- Ruth King
- Silasiri
- Steven Tierney, Ed.D.
- Thomas Tran
- Tuere Sala
- Vanessa Wang
- Ven Pannavati Bhikkhuni
- Ven. Dr. Pannavati
- Venerable Clear Grace Dayananda
- Vimalasara Mason-John
- Vince Cullen
- Walt Opie

