Jemi Steele began her meditation practice as a teenager in the 70’s; spent years doing solitary retreats and living in Nepal in the 80’s; and completed a traditional 3-year Buddhist retreat in the 90’s. Her overseas experience led her to get an MA in Teaching English as a Second Language, which she taught in elementary schools for almost 20 years. She runs a small non-profit, Norbulingka Dog Hospice, to rescue and care for elderly/special needs dogs facing euthanasia in animal shelters. She is also a cancer survivor.