Level 1: Foundations of Planetary Dharma

FOUNDER | CURRICULUM ARCHITECT

Doctor of Psychology | Teacher of Buddha Dharma | Practitioner of Traditional Chinese Medicine | Author

Born in London, Dr. Churchill's interest in psycho-spiritual development, Integral theory, Contemplative studies, Western Esotericism, and Mahayana Buddhism began in his adolescence, eventually leading him to spend several years as a Buddhist monk at Samye Ling Monastery in Scotland. During this time, John received the esoteric Planetary Dharma transmissions that would in time unfold as his contribution to a planetary fourth turning teaching. 

Dr. Churchill spent 15 years training and teaching “Great Seal” meditation in an Indo-Tibetan Mahayana lineage under the mentorship of the late senior Western teacher, translator, respected author, and clinical psychologist Dr. Daniel P. Brown.

He is also a founding member of the Integral Institute led by esteemed Transpersonal/Integral philosopher, Ken Wilber.

John has received advanced training in: attachment therapy, hypnosis, positive psychology for peak performance, and the “Pointing Out” style of Mahamudra meditation.

For the last 25 years, John has developed a a Fourth Turning Planetary Dharma practice which includes the somatically based contemplative practice path; Embodying the Open Ground, that integrates psychodynamic healing, adult development and meditation. 

John holds a Doctorate in Clinical Psychology from William James College, and is a practitioner of Traditional Chinese Medicine.

Married to his partner, Nicole since 2000, they share two teen-agers together - Trinity and Bodhi (and 3 dogs….Leo, Harper and Moose).

ESTEEMED AUTHOR | PHILOSOPHER | CURRICLUM ARCHITECHT

Ken Wilber, a visionary thinker of inspired genius, is the developer of an “integral theory of everything” that embraces the truths of all the world’s great spiritual, scientific, and philosophical traditions. He is the most widely translated academic writer in America, with 25 books translated into some 30 foreign languages. Ken Wilber currently lives in Denver, Colorado, and is still active as a philosopher, author, and teacher, with all of his major publications still in print.

Often referred to as the “Einstein of consciousness studies,” Ken Wilber is a preeminent scholar of the Integral stage of development.

Ken Wilber is also the founder of the Integral Institute, which is the first organization fully dedicated to advancement and application of the Integral Approach in relation to contemporary global issues. It was formed in collaboration with over 200 scholars and experts, specializing in education, politics, business, medicine, psychology, spirituality, as well as law and criminal justice.

In 2007 Wilber co-founded Integral Life, a social media-hub dedicated to sharing the integral vision with the world wide community, as well as documenting and catalyzing the progress of the integral movement.

In 2024 Ken partnered with Dr. John and Nicole Churchill of Planetary Dharma to co-create a Fourth Turning Program dedicated to the rebirth of wisdom civilization and the emergence of the Sacred World. This partnership will also develop media and curricula relating to Ken’s most recent book “Finding Radical Wholeness” (2024) – a book that Ken says is the most important and significant book he has ever written.

FOUNDER | CURRICULUM DESIGNER

Psychedelic Therapist | Board Certified Music Therapist | Transpersonal Counselor | Kundalini Yogini

Nicole is a psychedelic therapist with advanced training and credentialing in Mindfulness-Based Psychedelic Therapy through the Center for Medicinal Mindfulness where she was on staff for several years. She has extensive training in the healing arts and is a board certified Music Therapist, Transpersonal Counselor, Certified Kundalini Yoga Instructor, and an Expressive Movement Facilitator.

She is a founding member of the Integral Institute led by esteemed Transpersonal/Integral philosopher, Ken Wilber, and was mentored for 15 years by respected author and clinical psychologist Dr. Daniel P. Brown. She has completed advanced training in the following areas: attachment therapy, hypnosis, gestalt, addictions, anxiety disorders, depression, conflict resolution, positive psychology for peak performance, CCRT (Core Conflict Relational Themes), and the “Pointing Out” style of Mahamudra meditation.

Nicole earned her BA from Boston’s world renowned Berklee College of Music (1993), where she majored in voice and songwriting. She was awarded a dual Masters from Naropa University in Boulder, CO, where she studied Transpersonal Psychology and Music Therapy (2001).

In addition to her clinical work, Nicole is the Co-Founder of Planetary Dharma and is the Executive Director of the Karuna Mandala Initiative, a 501 (c) (3) umbrella organization that nurtures, cross-pollinates, and actualizes projects that aim to raise human consciousness and develop wisdom culture in support of a good, true, beautiful, and sustainable future for our planet.

Married to her partner, John since 2000 they share two teen-agers together - Trinity and Bodhi (and 3 dogs….Leo, Harper and Moose).

CURRICULUM DESIGNER | PRACTICE GROUP LEADER

Rollie Stanich grew up in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. He was awarded the University of Calgary's highest scholarship for four consecutive years, and graduated with distinction from the Faculty of Management in 1990. He taught at the University's Faculty of Continuing Education for several years, then worked for ten years in software development in Montreal.

Rollie assisted with the early development of the Integral Naked website and joined Integral Institute as the site's Managing Editor in 2004. A year later, he was appointed to his present position as Chief Facilitator of Integral Spiritual Center. He co-organized numerous ISC seminars on Integral Buddhism and Integral Christianity and the ISC Teachers' Gatherings of 2005, 2006, and 2007. Rollie presented on the work of James Fowler and Ken Wilber at the third ISC Teachers' Gathering, and is a frequent teacher at Boulder Integral, Denver's Buddhist/Christian Interfaith Group, and at Integral Salons and seminars across the U.S. and Canada.

Rollie's spiritual path is that of contemplative Christianity. He is a practitioner of Centering Prayer and a longtime student of Fr. Thomas Keating. He co-wrote and co-produced the 2008 Integral Life DVD The Future of Christianity, and is currently writing a book about Integral Christianity entitled Who do You Say that I Am?

Rollie’s book “Integral Chirstianity: The Way of Embodied Love” was published in May, 2021.