Interview with Dr. Elaine Yuen - Buddhist Minister, Interfaith Chaplain and Artist

Unconditional Healing with Jeff Rubin

Dr. Elaine Yuen is an educator, interfaith chaplain, Buddhist minister, and artist. She is the former chair of the Wisdom Traditions Department and associate professor at Naropa University in Boulder, Colorado. Now retired, she continues to teach and write on pastoral caregiving (chaplaincy), contemplative education, and Buddhist studies. She recently moved back to Philadelphia where she was an associate professor, researcher, and interfaith chaplain at Thomas Jefferson University.

Our conversation focuses on Elaine’s work as a chaplain, a keen interest of mine and very synchronous with Unconditional Healing since it relates to working with people at often the very worst moment of their lives. Having been trained as an interfaith chaplain, and as a Buddhist minister, we discuss Elaine’s abiding interest in bringing caring and authentic presence to all of our social interactions.
We also discuss Elaine’s early upbringing as a Christian, her interest in spirituality, and how she auspiciously met her Buddhist teacher, (who happens to be my root teacher as well). We also delve into her work as a skilled artist and teacher of what is known as Shambhala Art or Dharma Art…. as well as the concept of “Art in Everyday Life”, where even seemingly mundane activities can be viewed as artistic endeavors.

Along those lines, Elaine discusses the practice of knitting as a natural mindfulness practice and vehicle for slowing down in an increasingly frenetic world. We also discuss the ancient Japanese art form of Kintsugi, taking broken pottery and healing and transforming it in both function and form. With both disciplines, Elaine has created workshops to bring these beautiful practices to both older and younger participants.
Information on Elaine's many projects can be found here.

Please join me in conversation with a woman whose life and work truly exemplify presence, grace, and compassion.