Gaylon Ferguson

Gaylon Ferguson

Ferguson attended Phillips Exeter Academy where he received a diploma and Stanford University where he received a Ph.D. in Cultural Anthropology.

Gaylon Ferguson teaches in the religious studies and interdisciplinary studies departments at Naropa University in Boulder, Colorado. He is an acharya (a senior teacher) in the Shambhala International Buddhist community. In the 1970s and 1980s, he studied meditation and Buddhist philosophy with Tibetan teacher Chögyam Trungpa.

Ferguson later became a Fulbright Fellow in Nigeria and earned his PhD in cultural anthropology from Stanford University. He has taught anthropology at the University of Washington, worked as a teacher-in-residence at the Karmê Chöling Buddhist Retreat Center until 2005, when he joined the Naropa University faculty.

Ferguson’s book Natural Wakefulness presents the idea that enlightenment isn’t something outside of us but a natural part of who we already are.

Ferguson explains that while wakefulness is innate, effort is still needed to connect with it, and this effort is what spiritual practice is about. He focuses on two main elements: learning to trust our natural wakefulness and making a commitment to meditation practice. Each one strengthens the other, supporting us in becoming fully ourselves.

The book begins by helping readers recognize their own natural awareness and gain confidence in it. From there, Ferguson teaches the basics of meditation and offers practical exercises and guided reflections designed to help readers directly experience wakefulness.

Ferguson also includes excerpts from Q&A sessions with students during retreats and provides down-to-earth advice on how to bring awareness into everyday life. In the final sections, he emphasizes the role of community in reinforcing and sustaining wakefulness together.

As a whole, Natural Wakefulness works as a complete introduction to meditation and the spiritual path. It offers inspiration and guidance for beginners as well as seasoned practitioners. The book is well-written and makes a strong case for meditation practice.

However, there is one caveat: the foreword is written by Sakyong Mipham, and both he and his father, Chögyam Trungpa, are referenced or quoted throughout almost every chapter. This is not surprising, since Ferguson studied with Sakyong Mipham and is deeply rooted in the Shambhala tradition of Tibetan Buddhism. Still, given the serious allegations that have since emerged about both Mipham and Trungpa, their presence in the book can feel like an unavoidable “elephant in the room.” This context doesn’t diminish Ferguson’s own work, which remains thoughtful and valuable.

Overall, Natural Wakefulness is still a useful and encouraging resource for anyone wanting to start or deepen their meditation practice.

Related Authors

Fans of Gaylon Ferguson also enjoy these authors:

1. Stephen King, author of The Dark Tower Series.
2. Harlan Coben, author of the Myron Bolitar Series.
3. Linwood Barclay, author of the Promise Falls Series.
4. Michael Connelly, author of the Harry Bosch Series.
5. David Baldacci, author of the Amos Decker Series.

Gaylon Ferguson: F.A.Q