Rinpoche Yongey Mingyur Helen Tworkov

Helen Tworkov is recognized as the founding editor of Tricycle: The Buddhist Review, the first independent Buddhist magazine in the United States. Her upbringing in a secular, artistic family in New York City fostered an early curiosity about profound questions concerning existence and self. This led her to study Anthropology at Hunter College, where her academic path intersected with her growing interest in the historical and cultural aspects of Buddhism.

In 1991, Tworkov co-founded Tricycle, which became a significant platform for Buddhist teachings and discourse in America, featuring contributions from prominent scholars and practitioners. She is also the author of "Zen in America: Profiles of Five Teachers." Since 2006, Tworkov has been a student of the Tibetan Buddhist master Yongey Mingyur Rinpoche, studying within the Kagyu and Nyingma lineages. She has collaborated with Rinpoche on several writing projects, including "In Love with the World: A Monk's Journey Through the Bardos of Living and Dying."

Helen Tworkov played a pivotal role in establishing Tricycle: The Buddhist Review, an independent publication that became a cornerstone for Buddhist thought in the West. Her initial encounters with Buddhism occurred in Asia during the 1960s, sparking a lifelong engagement that spanned both Zen and Tibetan traditions. Her academic background in Anthropology provided a framework for exploring the cultural and historical dimensions of Buddhist practices and philosophies, influencing her approach to disseminating Buddhist teachings.

Tworkov is the author of "Zen in America: Profiles of Five Teachers," a notable work examining the development of Zen Buddhism and its early proponents in the United States. Her ongoing connection with Tibetan Buddhism is marked by her long-standing discipleship under Yongey Mingyur Rinpoche, a master of the Kagyu and Nyingma lineages. This relationship has led to significant collaborative writing endeavors, most notably "In Love with the World: A Monk's Journey Through the Bardos of Living and Dying," which offers insights into Tibetan Buddhist concepts of life, death, and consciousness.

Through her work with Tricycle and her writings, Helen Tworkov has significantly shaped contemporary American Buddhist discourse. She champions a nonsectarian approach to Buddhist teachings, drawing wisdom from diverse traditions. Her reflections often address the dynamic interplay between Buddhism and Western culture, exploring how ancient philosophies adapt and find relevance in a modern context. Tworkov continues to be an influential voice through her writing and teaching.