In 2009, after being diagnosed with HIV and a stress-related retina disorder, Mark, an executive producer on national television shows, needed to find a way to manage his stress and come to terms with his illness. At a friend’s suggestion, he signed up for a Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction class at InsightLA. After completing the 8-week MBSR class with Christiane Wolf, he knew that mindfulness had the potential to change his life. Over the next several years, Mark dove into the Dharma.
He established a daily practice, began attending silent meditation retreats at Spirit Rock, blogged for The Huffington Post and appeared on national television talking about his experience with mindfulness. Mark completed the MBSR teacher training practicum, the Facilitator Training Program at InsightLA, and is a member of InsightLA’s Teacher Development Group. He is also part of Spirit Rock’s current cohort of the Dedicated Practitioner Program. Additionally, Mark is an adjunct lecturer at USC in the School of Cinematic Arts, Media Arts + Practice division where he teaches digital media and mindfulness. Mark’s television career spans producing, developing, selling and launching national shows and digital content for Telepictures, King World, Tribune, ABC Daytime, 20th Television (FOX), Debmar Mercury, ITV, Harpo Productions and Lifetime TV.