Linda Pritzker (born September 1953[2]) also known by the name Lama Tsomo is an American lama in the Tibetan Buddhist tradition. She is a spiritual teacher, author, philanthropist, and co-founder of the Namchak Foundation and Namchak Retreat Ranch[3] in Missoula, Montana. She is a member of the Pritzker family, known for the Hyatt Hotel fortune.
Linda Pritzker | |
|---|---|
 Linda Pritzker (Lama Tsomo) in 2014 | |
| Born | September 1953 (age 71) Oberlin, Ohio, U.S. |
| Other names |
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| Occupation(s) | Tibetan lama, author[1] |
| Known for | Inheritance, Buddhism |
| Children | 3 |
| Parent | Robert Pritzker (father) |
Early life
editPritzker was born in 1953 in Oberlin, Ohio, the second of three children born to Jewish-American businessman Robert Pritzker[4][5] and Audrey Gilbert.[6][7] She has two full siblings: Jennifer N. Pritzker (b. James, 1950),[8] a retired lieutenant colonel in the U.S. Army and founder of the Pritzker Military Library,[9] and Karen Pritzker (b. 1958).
Her parents divorced in 1979.[5] In 1981, her mother remarried Albert B. Ratner, the co-chairman of Cleveland-based real estate developer Forest City Enterprises.[6][7] In 1980, her father remarried to Irene Dryburgh with whom he had two children, her half siblings: Matthew Pritzker and Liesel Pritzker Simmons.[5]
Career
editAfter earning a master's degree in Counseling Psychology and working as a psychotherapist for several years, Pritzker began a spiritual path to Tibetan Buddhism.[10]
Pritzker was ordained a lama[11] in February 2005 by Tulku Sangak Rinpoche, a Tibetan meditation master and world holder of the Namchak Lineage, a branch of the Nyingma path of Tibetan Buddhism.[12] She began studying with Rinpoche in 1995 and became fluent in Tibetan.[13] Her journey to Buddhist practices has been documented by ABC News' Dan Harris in his podcast 10% Happier.[14]
She is the author of the Ancient Wisdom for our Times Tibetan Buddhist Practice Series,[15] including Book 1 Why Bother: An Introduction,[16] Book 2 Wisdom and Compassion (Starting with Yourself),[17] and Book 3 Deepening Wisdom, Deepening Connection (to be released on October 11, 2022)[18] She also authored Why is the Dalai Lama Always Smiling? A Westerner's Introduction and Guide to Tibetan Buddhist Practice[19] and The Princess Who Wept Pearls: The Feminine Journey in Fairy Tales[20] and is the co-author of The Lotus & The Rose: A Conversation Between Tibetan Buddhism & Mystical Christianity[21] and a contributor to The Dharma of Dogs: Our Best Friends as Spiritual Teachers edited by Tami Simon.[22] Why is the Dalai Lama Always Smiling? has a foreword written by the Dalai Lama and was a 2016 silver medal winner in the Independent Publisher Book Awards (IPPY Awards).[23]
Today, Lama Tsomo's work revolves around the initiatives of the Namchak Foundation. While the Namchak Retreat Ranch is still under construction,[24] Namchak has several offerings for students looking to begin or strengthen their meditation practice including two online courses, guided meditations, Learning Circles, and several live events per year.[25]
As of July 2018, her net worth was estimated to be $1.77 billion.[11]
Personal life
editPritzker is divorced and has three children: Rachel, Roland, and Rosemary.[26] She lives in Missoula, Montana.[1] She is a Tibetan Buddhist.[11]
Publications
edit- Deepening Wisdom, Deepening Connection (Ancient Wisdom for Our Times Tibetan Buddhist Practice Series)[18]
- Wisdom and Compassion (Starting with Yourself) (Ancient Wisdom for Our Times Tibetan Buddhist Practice Series)[17]
- Why Bother?: An Introduction (Ancient Wisdom for Our Times Tibetan Buddhist Practice Series)[16]
- Why is the Dalai Lama Always Smiling? A Westerner's Introduction and Guide to Tibetan Buddhist Practice[19]
- The Lotus & The Rose: A Conversation Between Tibetan Buddhism & Mystical Christianity, co-author with Matthew Fox[21]
- The Dharma of Dogs: Our Best Friends as Spiritual Teachers, contributing author, edited by Tami Simon[22]
- The Princess Who Wept Pearls: The Feminine Journey in Fairy Tales[20]
- "10% Happier with Dan Harris" Podcast, August 2017[27]
- "Metta Hour with Sharon Salzberg" Podcast, October 2018[28]
- "Buddha at the Gas Pump" Podcast, May 2018[29]
- "The Secular Buddhist" Podcast, June 2016[30]
- "Synchronicity podcast" May 2016[31]
- "Ani Tsering Wangmo: A Life of Merit" in Lion's Roar Newsletter, March 2010.
- "Coming Home" in Originally Blessed. Oakland, CA: Creation Spirituality Communities, 2008.
- "Dharmasala" in Lion's Roar Newsletter, August 2007.
- "Shedra" in Lion's Roar Newsletter, February 2006.
References
edit- ^ a b van Gelder, Sarah. "How an American lama finds joy during turbulent times". Retrieved 11 February 2014.
- ^ "Linda Pritzker: Official Website". Retrieved 29 May 2019.
- ^ "Namchak Teachers". Namchak LLC. Retrieved 29 May 2019.
- ^ Linda Pritzker, Forbes (October 2006)
- ^ a b c CNN Money: "THE PRITZKERS UNVEILING A PRIVATE FAMILY Can you believe it? These billionaires actually like each other. But as Pritzkers proliferate, a worry arises: Can they maintain their striking success – and keep everyone happy?", Ford S. Worthy, 25 April 1988
- ^ a b Yale University: "Slow readers, creative thinkers: gift will spur dyslexia studies - New center will explore links between reading problems, creativity" retrieved 21 December 2012
- ^ a b Encyclopedia of Cleveland History: "Biography of the Ratner Family" retrieved 21 December 2012
- ^ Geidner, Chris (23 August 2013). "Billionaire Backer of Open Transgender Military Service Comes Out As Transgender". BuzzFeed. Retrieved 23 August 2013.
- ^ Pritzker Military Library website: "Colonel (IL) J. N. Pritzker, IL ARNG (Retired)" retrieved 21 December 2012
- ^ "Linda Pritzker Lama Tsomo". Linda Pritzker. 21 August 2015. Retrieved 8 September 2015.
- ^ a b c Forbes: The World's Billionaires - Linda Pritzker September 2020
- ^ "Who is Lama Tsomo". Namchak. Archived from the original on 6 October 2014. Retrieved 2 October 2014.
- ^ Chaney, Rob. "Buddhist teacher expands Tibetan tradition in Montana". The Missoulian. Retrieved 4 April 2016.
- ^ Effron, Lauren. "Hotel Heiress-Turned-Tibetan Buddhist Lama on Navigating Life Toward Happiness". ABC News. Retrieved 30 November 2016.
- ^ "Ancient Wisdom for Our Times Tibetan Buddhist Practice Series". Amazon. Retrieved 19 April 2018.
- ^ a b Tsomo, Lama (April 2021). Why Bother?: An Introduction (Ancient Wisdom for Our Times Tibetan Buddhist Practice Series). Namchak. ISBN 978-0990571100.
- ^ a b Tsomo, Lama (September 2021). Wisdom and Compassion (Starting with Yourself) (Ancient Wisdom for Our Times Tibetan Buddhist Practice Series). Namchak. ISBN 978-0990571100.
- ^ a b Tsomo, Lama (October 2022). Deepening Wisdom, Deepening Connection (Ancient Wisdom for Our Times Tibetan Buddhist Practice Series)). Namchak. ISBN 978-0990571100.
- ^ a b Tsomo, Lama (April 2016). Why is the Dalai Lama Always Smiling? A Westerner's Introduction and Guide to Tibetan Buddhist Practice. Namchak. ISBN 978-0990571100.
- ^ a b The Princess Who Wept Pearls – via Amazon.
- ^ a b Tsomo, Lama; Fox, Matthew (2018). The Lotus & The Rose. Namchak. ISBN 978-0999577004.
- ^ a b Simon, Tami (July 2017). The Dharma of Dogs. Sounds True. ISBN 978-1622037414.
- ^ "Independent Publisher Book Awards 2016 Winners". Jenkins Group Publishing Services. Retrieved 26 January 2017.
- ^ "Namchak Retreat Ranch". Namchak LLC. Retrieved 19 April 2018.
- ^ "Namchak Resources". Namchak LLC. Retrieved 19 April 2018.
- ^ Bertagnoli, Lisa (29 June 2018). "How the next-gen Pritzkers are spending the family fortune". Crain's Chicago Business.
- ^ "10% Happier with Dan Harris' and Lama Tsomo". YouTube.
- ^ "METTA HOUR PODCAST • Episode 84 • Lama Tsomo". 29 October 2018.
- ^ "Lama Tsomo - Buddha at the Gas Pump Interview". YouTube.
- ^ "Episode 250 -- Lama Tsomo :: Why Is the Dalai Lama Always Smiling".
- ^ "Episode 28: Lama Tsomo". Archived from the original on 22 February 2019. Retrieved 21 February 2019.