Susan Gillis Chapman is an elder who has been practicing in our lineage since 1974. After the parinirvana of Trungpa Rinpoche, she made a deep dive into mahamudra practice and studied with Thrangu Rinpoche for 20 years, including 9 years at Gampo Abbey. She completed the traditional three-year retreat and went on to serve as druppon, or retreat leader, for six more years. She also completed her MA in Buddhist and Western Psychology at Naropa in 1983, which included a three-month retreat practicing Maitri Space Awareness. She now serves on the faculty of Karuna Training as well as the Green Zone Institute. Her book,The Five Keys To Mindful Communication, is an exploration of how to apply the principles of the five buddha families to our relationships. She lives in Burnaby, BC, with her husband, Jerry.