Cittasubha

• Staff

Jan Sheppard (Cittasubha) embodies a quiet strength rooted in deep practice and integrity. With over two decades of experience in meditation, she has quietly guided countless individuals along their spiritual journeys since 2002. Her academic background, with an MA and Ph.D. in Cultural Anthropology from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, enhances her ability to connect deeply with the diverse communities she serves. Trained as a Community Dharma Leader at Spirit Rock Meditation Center and as a Lay Buddhist Minister in the Theravada Thai Forest tradition, Jan was given the Dharma name “Cittasubha” by her revered teachers Luang Por Pasanno and Ajahn Amaro.

Jan’s approach is marked by her humility and deep commitment to uplifting others. She leads a weekly meditation group that has thrived for over twenty years, teaches meditation in both spiritual and secular settings, and leads retreats that provide profound opportunities for inner growth. A strong advocate for mindfulness, she extends her service to prisons across Wisconsin, offering secular mindfulness meditation groups, leading Buddhist services, and providing pastoral care.

A founding member of the Wisconsin Prison Mindfulness Initiative, Jan works tirelessly behind the scenes, empowering others while quietly living her values. Her legacy is one of service, compassion, and wisdom, making a significant impact while always making sure the focus is on her students.