Our inspiration

Kokoro is a Japanese word describing the union of heart, mind and spirit. We believe it is our connection to this unconditioned, undivided nature that brings real joy into our lives, and inspires us to contribute to a good human society.

Our mission

Kokoro Institute was created to share our passion and deep experience in creating and running programs for young people, grounded in the core teachings of the Buddhadharma and Shambhala lineages. Drawing on a wide network of highly skilled teachers, trainers and facilitators, we deliver embodied, transformative experiences in which young people discover their innate intelligence, wisdom and goodness, and learn to engage the world from that ground.

Programs

In development

Finding Ground

A residential retreat for young adults between eighteen and thirty. It moves through an arc that begins with recovering from stress, turns to bravely investigating their direct experience, and ends by celebrating the fundamental goodness of life. Days run from an early silent walk through sitting meditation, movement, time in the natural world, and evening programs around a fire. Participants leave with greater confidence in their own nature, and with practices to help them live from that ground.

In development

Money Mind

A six-session program for teenagers on the mind's relationship to money. Participants learn the basics of financial literacy, and how to draw on their innate intelligence when money brings up difficult feelings. The program closes with each participant demonstrating what they have learned and opening an investment account of their own to manage.

Who we are

Sol Halpern

Sol Halpern

Co-Founder & Board Chair

Sol is president of MIFI Wealth and coined the term Mindful Finance, bringing more than 35 years of meditation practice to over two decades in financial markets. He has taught on mindfulness and money at institutions including Bank of America and the University of St. Gallen, and for more than 25 years has mentored children, young adults and staff at mindful leadership summer camps in Europe, Canada and the United States.

Michael Rich

Michael Rich

Co-Founder & Executive Director

Michael was born and raised in the Shambhala Buddhist community and has spent much of his life creating programs for young people, including in the practice and education role on Shambhala Sun Summer Camp's global leadership group. He works as a leadership development consultant and coach in the authentic leadership tradition, and is an investment advisor at MIFI Wealth.