Ken is in the vanguard intertwining Buddhist psychology, meditation, existentially-robust therapy and the nondual awareness of Dzogchen in the service of self-liberation.  

He began a dedicated practice of insight meditation in 1975, counting Joseph Goldstein and Ruth Denison as heart teachers. In 1979, he entered the M.A. Buddhist Studies program at the Nyingma Institute, Berkeley, where he met Tarthang Tulku and was introduced to Vajrayana Buddhism. 

The following year he met his root master, Chogyal Namkhai Norbu, from whom he received direct introduction to dzogchen followed by numerous clarifying instructions and transmissions over the years. He received further guidance from other Dzogchen teachers, being most indebted to Tsoknyi Rinpoche and through text and dream, Chogyam Trungpa. 

After earning a Ph.D. in Psychology at Saybrook University, he trained in Focusing with Eugene Gendlin followed by a decade-long apprenticeship in Existential Psychotherapy with James Bugental. Beginning in 1992, Jim invited Ken to co-teach with him, which they did for several years. During this period, Ken developed a contemplative-existential approach to therapy intertwining Buddhist and experience-near psychology, enhanced through training in Nondual Therapy with Peter Fenner. 

After 34 years, Ken closed his psychotherapy practice and retired as Adjunct Professor at John F. Kennedy University and California Institute of Integral Studies, devoting himself to Dharma teaching, personal retreat, writing and the contemplative life in town and wilderness. In the service of catalyzing the liberating power of authentic presence, Ken is currently devoted to practicing and teaching the heart of Buddhadharma by integrating existential sobrieties and contemplative lucidities. His teaching is now primarily occurring at Mountain Stream Meditation, in Nevada City, CA, as a member of the Mountain Stream Teachers Council.

Ken can be contacted at ken.bradford@icloud.com.