Nikki Mirghafori, PhD
Nikki Mirghafori, PhD, is a Buddhist teacher and Artificial Intelligence scientist. She is a lineage holder in the Theravada tradition, empowered by the living Burmese meditation master Venerable Pa Auk Sayadaw, with whom she practiced the jhanas and detailed analytical (Abhidhamma-style) vipassana. She also received empowerment from the Spirit Rock Meditation Center, Insight Meditation Society, Insight Meditation Center, and is a Stanford-trained compassion cultivation instructor.
At Spirit Rock Meditation Center, Nikki serves as a Stewarding Teacher as well as on the Board of Directors. She also teaches at the Insight Meditation Center in Redwood City, CA. Nikki’s teaching style combines clarity and warmth, and she delights in exploring deep Dharma topics with practitioners as well as mindfulness in daily life. Mindfulness of death is one of the areas of her interest and expertise.
Additionally, Nikki has been a researcher and inventor in AI, holds multiple patents and author of scientific research articles. She has directed international research programs as the Principal Investigator, mentored post-docs and PhD students, taught graduate courses at UC Berkeley, and been a scientific advisor to Silicon Valley technology startups.
As an Iranian-American, Nikki has taught contemplative practices internationally and aspires to serve as a champion for wisdom and compassion in our world, and ethical AI in our zeitgeist.
Upcoming Programs by Nikki Mirghafori, PhD
The Joy of Samādhi: Practices to Cultivate Concentration (NM1N24)
Description: The foundational meditation practice of samatha leads to the state of samādhi, where the mind is undistracted, bright, and spacious. Such sustained practice can culminate in profoundly still states, known as jhāna, where the mind becomes blissfully absorbed in the object of attention. This practice often conjures up tense effort with a furrowed brow, […]
Coming Home to Ourselves (357R24) - On Land
Also Diana Clark, PhD, Andrea Castillo, PhD and Tanya T. Wiser
Registration opens at 9:00am (Pacific Time) on May 1, 2024 and closes 11:59pm (Pacific Time) on September 1, 2024. A waiting list will be created if the retreat fills early. Interested in Commuting to the retreat? - learn more below. RETREAT TO BE HELD ON THE LAND! Description: Come home to yourself with the simple […]
Befriending Mortality: Living An Awakened Life Through Mindfulness of Death (Maraṇasati) (374R24) - On Land
Also John Martin and Jeanne Corrigal
Registration opens at 9:00am (Pacific Time) on June 26, 2024 and closes 11:59pm (Pacific Time) on October 26, 2024. A waiting list will be created if the retreat fills early. Interested in Commuting to the retreat? - learn more below. RETREAT TO BE HELD ON THE LAND! Open to: Everyone Description: Death is not exactly […]
Meeting the Three Characteristics through Cultivating Stability, Well-being, and Confidence (386R24) - On Land
Also Sylvia Boorstein, PhD, Rachel Lewis and Mei Elliott
Registration opens at 9:00am (Pacific Time) on August 8, 2024 and closes at 11:59pm (Pacific Time) on December 7, 2024. A waiting list will be created if the retreat fills early. Interested in Commuting to the retreat? - learn more below. RETREAT TO BE HELD ON THE LAND! Description: It is no news that all […]