Lodro Rinzler is an award-winning author and meditation teacher known for his accessible approach to Buddhist teachings. He has written seven books, including "The Buddha Walks into a Bar," "Walk Like a Buddha," and "The Buddha Walks into the Office," which blend practical wisdom with contemporary relevance. His works have been featured in prominent publications such as The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, and The Atlantic, earning him recognition as "the cool kid’s Buddhist" by The Boston Phoenix. Rinzler’s writing extends to columns like "What Would Sid Do," published in the Huffington Post and the Interdependence Project, as well as contributions to Shape Magazine, Real Simple Magazine, and the Good Men Project.
A longtime practitioner in the Shambhala Buddhist lineage, Rinzler began meditating as a child and later became a Vajrayana student of Sakyong Mipham Rinpoche. During his studies at Wesleyan University, he founded Buddhist House, an 18-person dormitory with a dedicated meditation space, reflecting his early commitment to fostering mindfulness. After graduating, he served as Executive Director of the Boston Shambhala Center and later as Head of Development for Shambhala International. His leadership extended to founding the Institute for Compassionate Leadership, an organization focused on mentoring and coaching individuals through mindful leadership.
Rinzler has taught meditation for over two decades, speaking at institutions such as Harvard University, Google, and the White House. His teachings emphasize overcoming suffering and anxiety through openness and self-awareness. He co-founded MNDFL Meditation, further expanding his impact on modern mindfulness practices. Rinzler resides in upstate New York with his wife and their collection of small animals.