Lama Tsomo | Teacher and Co-Founder of the Namchak Foundation

Lama Tsomo is an American lama, author, and co-founder of the Namchak Foundation and Namchak Retreat Ranch.

Born Linda Pritzker, Lama Tsomo followed a path of spiritual inquiry and study that ultimately led to her ordination as one of the few American lamas in Tibetan Buddhism.

Under the tutelage of Tulku Sangak Rinpoche, international holder of the Namchak lineage, Lama Tsomo has done extensive spiritual retreats in the U.S. and abroad and is fluent in Tibetan. Today, she is dedicated to sharing the teachings of the Namchak lineage with Western students, bringing greater happiness and meaning to life through meditation practice, community, and retreat. She is passionate about reaching young people and supporting those working for positive social change. Her teaching has inspired American and international students, who appreciate her informal and often humorous style.

Lama Tsomo holds an M.A. in Counseling Psychology with an emphasis in Jungian studies. She is the author of Why Is the Dalai Lama Always Smiling?,  an introduction and guide to Tibetan Buddhist Practice, and winner of a 2016 Independent Publisher award. In addition, she’s authored the Ancient Wisdom For Our Times series, an exploration of Tibetan Buddhism meditation that includes: Why Bother? An Introduction; Wisdom & Compassion (Starting with Yourself); and Book Three of the series, Deepening Wisdom, Deepening Connection. This wise and accessible series based on the Vajrayana path gifts readers with tangible ways to cultivate joy, compassion, focus, and fulfillment in everyday life. Along with the Namchak Community, she created Taking a Breath: A Meditation and Reflection Journal, a hands-on guide for developing and improving meditation practice.

Lama Tsomo teaches at a variety of events and retreats, such as The Four Immeasurables, Waking Up in Community: Taking Your Practice into the World and Clearing the Lens. Passionate about making Tibetan Buddhist teachings and practices accessible to Westerners, she is known for her stories, humor, and real-life applications of meditation practice.

“Lama Tsomo’s presence radiates light and kindness.”
– Kendall, meditation practitioner