Gelong Thubten

Gelong Thubten is a Tibetan Buddhist monk, meditation teacher, and bestselling author recognized for his contributions to the global mindfulness movement. Educated at Oxford University, Thubten initially pursued a career as an actor in London and New York. His journey into Buddhism began amid personal challenges, including depression, anxiety, and panic attacks. Although raised by Buddhist parents, his commitment to spirituality was catalyzed by a period of burnout as a young actor in New York, which resulted in a stress-induced heart condition. This experience led him to a Buddhist monastery in Scotland, where a planned one-year retreat evolved into a lifelong dedication to monastic life.

Thubten was ordained as a Tibetan Buddhist monk at Kagyu Samye Ling Tibetan Buddhist Monastery. He has trained under leading meditation teachers and completed six years of intensive meditation retreats, including a four-year retreat where he practiced for 19 hours daily and observed a five-month vow of silence. This extensive training underpins his expertise in mindfulness and meditation.

Thubten specializes in teaching mindfulness meditation internationally, working with businesses, hospitals, schools, universities, prisons, and addiction counseling centers. He delivers keynote speeches at major events and has taught for more than 20 years, establishing himself as a pioneer in the mindfulness movement. Thubten has lectured at Oxford University and the United Nations, and has provided mindfulness programs for organizations such as Google, LinkedIn, Deloitte, HSBC, and Clifford Chance. He was among the first teachers in Europe to offer meditation courses at an accredited university, training fourth-year medical students at the National University of Ireland.

Thubten is the author of "A Monk's Guide to Happiness," a Sunday Times top ten bestseller available in more than 17 countries, and "Handbook for Hard Times," also a bestseller. He co-authored "How to Be Human" with Ruby Wax and neuroscientist Ash Ranpura, integrating mindfulness, comedy, and neuroscience. Thubten has also trained actors Benedict Cumberbatch and Tilda Swinton in meditation techniques for the film "Doctor Strange." He has spoken at events including Wisdom 2.0 Europe, LinkedIn's Talent Connect in Los Angeles, WOMAD Festival, Oxford Literary Festival, and Hay Literary Festival.

Thubten is director of Kagyu Samye Dzong Scarborough, a Buddhist center he founded in Yorkshire, a trustee of ROKPA International, and a director of Samye Foundation Wales, a mindfulness and wellbeing charity. His approach combines spiritual insight with practical mindfulness techniques, supporting resilience, focus, and emotional well-being in high-pressure environments. Thubten's journey from burnout to monastic life informs his teaching and resonates with diverse audiences worldwide.