Sue Vargo’s dedication to the Vipassana form of meditation was fueled by an early Transcendental Meditation mantra, a powerful experience with the Hindu practice of Shaktipat, and her mind-blowing week-long silent retreat at IMS in 1997, where she realized that most of the suffering she was experiencing was completely self-inflicted and thus, surprisingly optional! Sue is grateful to be able to work on a Dharma-based team such as the CIMC board, and for the three jewels of Buddha, Dharma, and Sangha. For Sue, following the Dharma has meant the possibility of freedom from being ruled by feelings and the past, and the chance to live a life driven by her own intentions to be present and to cultivate the Brahma Viharas in her relationships.
Sue has been out as a lesbian for almost 50 years and has raised two sons with her partner Sarah, with whom she shares the practice. Sue’s professional career has a throughline of making learning exciting and possible for adults—as a trainer and consultant teaching basic skills to human services staff and guiding non-profit leaders, as workshop facilitator for HIV+ women, as a psychotherapist for individuals and couples, and as a designer of online learning products. There was also a slight detour into being a car mechanic, which was just for fun. Coming to the CIMC board, Sue hopes to bring her personal and professional experience to bear in helping the Center welcome an even broader and deeper diversity of practitioners to the current lively community.