Guide, facilitator, mentor, docent.
For David B Perrin (dbp) meditation and contemplative life, service and activism, creative expression and the arts, and a love of the Earth have been woven throughout his life.
Collaborator, syncretist, and facilitator of ‘circle’ in a myriad of forms, David wears many hats for all seasons. He is the instigator of the 4th Season.
mind-body connection
Initially encountering meditation in high school, David connected with the Shambhala tradition at Naropa University in the late 1990’s. He practiced in this lineage for over 20 years eventually guiding others in meditation and contemplation. Living in NYC for these 20 years, David led classes, retreats, teacher-trainings, and 1:1 mentorship for Shambhala as well as MNDFL. He collaborated with various practice collectives such as: Institute for Compassionate Leadership, Weekly Dharma Gathering led by Shanté Paradigm Smalls, Presence Collective, and MNDFL with Rev angel Kyodo williams. For the past few years David has studied and practiced with Adam Lobel in the Four Fields. And he continues to honor his roots in Judaism, particularly the spirit of tikkun olam.
arts, healing, and play
As a broken-hearted, young thesbian forbidden to act in his 1st grade school play, David re-encountered theatre in his 20’s as a healing redemption. Night-school acting classes, Shakespeare intensives, and Actors Center Conservatory (NYC), led to his heart-artistry as a therapeutic theatre artist with Creative Alternatives of New York (CANY). Facilitating groups in psychiatric hospitals, childrens’ homes, and rehab centers, David earned a Masters’ Degree at NYU, a Registered Drama Therapist Certification, and NYS Creative Arts Therapy licensure (not active). Mentors include: Robert Landy, Maria Hodermarska, and David Read Johnson whose practice of Developmental Transformations and trauma-focused therapy has been influential.
Earth, place, people
Playing in the woods with sticks, marveling at insects and animals alongside mother, father, and brother were some of David’s earliest Nature immersions. In a place the Lenape called ‘Ramapoo’ (rocky place,) his soccer jersey read ‘Ridgefield’. This love of Earth has led many places, including: a yearlong travel-study of Global Ecology with the International Honors Program (IHP); Globalisation activism alongside Jeremy Rifkin, David Korten, and others; stint at the NE Aquarium in children’s programming, and assisting marine biology research; and co-owner of B. Public, addressing climate change through high performance building assemblies - all among many adventures in the moss rock realm.
David now lives further south, in the Kentucky Bluegrass once inhabited by Adena, Shawnee, and Cherokee. Domestic life with partner Anne Kenan and children Rhese, Bodin, and June is among the most profound of his many practices.