Brian Kimmel

Brian Kimmel (pronouns: he/dia) is a second generation multi-heritage Indonesian American, and third grandchild to Pacific Northwest author, Martha Walandouw Lohn. He co-authored Lohn’s memoir, Blue Skies, Troubled Waters: An American Twin’s Odyssey in WWII Minahasa, Indonesia, and edited the first Indonesian language version.

As a child, Kimmel’s earliest memories revolved around the melodies that filled his home, handed down from generations of musicians, singers, and storytellers. A poet, memoirist, lyricist, composer, musician, scholar-practitioner, and Buddhist teacher ordained by Nobel Peace Prize nominee, Thích Nhất Hạnh, Kimmel guest lectures and recitals internationally. He incorporates into his offerings, decades of engagement with deep songs and light-hearted banter.

He has published articles with The Lion’s Roar, The Mindfulness Bell, Under 35 Project, Buddhism & Culture, and chapters in Transcending: Trans Buddhist Voices, One Buddha is Not Enough, and Dancing with The Dharma: Essays on Movement and Dance in Western Buddhism. He lives with his spouse in Seattle, home to the Coast Salish, and works as a mental health counselor, supervisor, and educator for the Brian Kimmel Guidance Center.