Nicholas Russell is a full-time artist, musician, and……

His journey into meditation began early, sparked by a deep curiosity about the nature of mind. In his early twenties, this interest led him to the Kadampa Meditation Centre Canada, where he trained in practices of compassion and loving-kindness that continue to inform his life and work. He later became a member of the Toronto Zen Centre and, in 2015, completed a residential Zen training retreat at the Vermont Zen Center under the guidance of Roshi Sunyana Graf.

In 2019, Nick was appointed to the Board of Directors at the Dharma Centre of Canada where he contributed to its governance and to stewarding its legacy while adapting to contemporary needs. Since 2018, Nick has practiced with the guidance of Lama Yongdu Chokyi Gyaltsen (Lama Mark Webber), a cherished teacher and respected mentor within the Drikung Kagyu lineage of Himalayan Buddhism. His ongoing study and practice are informed by this tradition, with connections to the late H.E. Drikung Lho Ontul Rinpoche and Karma Ratna Rinpoche.

Rooted in tradition but grounded in everyday life, Nick’s approach to meditation is inclusive, experiential, and practical—shaped by years of personal practice, intentional living, artistic exploration, and retreat.

He lives in the Haliburton area with his wife and two children, where he operates the Haliburton Guitar Studio and teaches at Fleming College Haliburton School of Art + Design during the summer months.