Having a thirst for learning and a heart for service, Candle’s meditation training began in 1983 while living in Northern California, after migrating from the midwest. In an attempt to find balance in life, Ms. Summers’ who uses pronouns she/hers, had her first meditation experience at  a 10 day mindfulness retreat with S.N. Goenka . At the recommendation of her  teacher Kamala Masters, she continued to attend many meditation retreats and  trainings, before she became a Community Dharma Leader at Spirit Rock Meditation Center in 2003. 

    As a student, she has completed  many years of meditation retreats and attended courses of study in Mahasi Sayadaw’s Manual of Insight and the 10 Paramis taught by renowned teachers Kamala Masters and Steve Armstrong, of Vipassana Metta Foundation on Maui ( her root teachers in the Theravadan tradition).

      She has been influenced by Sayadaw U Tejaniya in the Burmese lineage and also western Buddhist teachers who teach paying attention to the breath, sensations in the body, and thoughts in the mind using mindfulness practices and natural  awareness in our  daily lives.

      In 2013 Candle moved from Maui, Hawaii to the land of the Multnomah, Chinook and Grande Ronde tribes, known as South East Portland, Or. Having lived the island life for 35 years, and encouraged by Kamala Masters and Steve Armstrong, she managed retreats for Vipassana Metta Foundation, held a weekly mindfulness (insight) meditation sitting group, a group for those who identify as women, or non-binary, and  a monthly book club for a dozen + years. At the same time she maintained a thriving massage and bodywork practice, well known and respected in her field. She continues her bodywork in Portland.

    Candle  has been teaching in person,  live stream on social media and on Zoom. She  has online meditations and sometimes offers live and hybrid classes in SE Portland. She taught at Portland Insight Meditation Center in Portland from 2020-2024.  Contact her for more info and see classes  link below. Candle's learning and practice never stops and she is happy to share it.

     Beginning April 2024, along with meditation teacher Trina Truong and others, Candle helped shepherd  Pacific Northwest Meditation, an open inclusive meditation community that meets weekly at  Multnomah Friends Meeting House in SE Portland. They meet  Saturdays at 4:30-6:30. With rotating teachers, their vision is to foster a diverse inclusive community that supports the practice of all who seek to improve their lives through meditation, service, and study  the teachings of the Buddha. they welcome and learn from all races, ethnicities, cultures, physical/cognitive abilities, ages, genders and identities. PNWM endeavors to be an anti-racist and accessible community that removes barriers to engagement.

     To join a group online, see the  list of classes button below, check out the menu of offerings  and click the join zoom button , no need to register. You can also book a private session anytime by sending an email to  candlemaui@gmail.com with your request. Continue your mindful awareness meditation journey.

   

     Given Freely has the aspiration to follow in the footsteps of the Buddha, who offered his teachings of awakening and freedom freely to everyone without exception. Her sessions are given as donation based classes and sliding scale option for retreats and private sessions.  She is committed to making the exploration of  the practices and teachings of the Buddha relevant and accessible in today’s world. It is important to welcome all people of every age, ethnicity, cultural heritage and religious background, socio- economic group, ability, sexual orientation and gender identity. A donation link will be provided to encourage generosity and to continue the time honored teachings. No one is turned away for lack of funds. If you feel inspired to give to the continuation of the teachings please contact Candle for ways to contribute. Thank you for your practice, may it be of benefit to yourself and others.

       

                                                      Contact Candle at   candlemaui@gmail.com