Valerie (Vimalasara) Mason-John has worked as an international correspondent covering Aboriginal deaths in custody, and interviewed Irish political prisoners and ex-rebels from the Sierra Leone war.
Their work in the field of conflict transitioned into working with gangs, the incarcerated, bullies, and challenging behavior. Valerie is equipped to work in many modalities. A teacher in the Triratna Buddhist Community, a mindfulness trainer, and a founding facilitator of Dr. Gabor Maté’s Compassionate Inquiry, they have also trained in Internal Family Systems, Embodied Somatics, Breathworks, and Shamanism.
Their books include Detox Your Heart: Meditations for Emotional Trauma, Eight Step Recovery: Using the Buddha’s Teachings to Overcome Addiction, and more recently I’m Still Your Negro: An Homage to James Baldwin. They work as an international public speaker and trainer in the field of mindfulness for trauma and addiction, and interview high-profile Buddhist and spiritual teachers and leaders for the Wisdom for Life platform. Valerie/Vimalasara has a private counseling/healing practice and lives in Canada with their partner.
