Thrive Guide

Ralph De La Rosa

About

Ralph De La Rosa, LCSW, (he/they) is the author of two internationally published books. He is a psychotherapist in private practice, and seasoned meditation teacher.

His new book, Don't Tell Me to Relax: Emotional Resilience in the Age of Rage, Feels, and Freak Outs is availa...
Ralph De La Rosa, LCSW, (he/they) is the author of two internationally published books. He is a psychotherapist in private practice, and seasoned meditation teacher.

His new book, Don't Tell Me to Relax: Emotional Resilience in the Age of Rage, Feels, and Freak Outs is available for pre-order wherever books are sold.

As a meditation teacher, Ralph’s work has been featured in The New York Post, CNN, GQ, SELF, Women’s Health, and many other publications and podcasts. He's was named one of Sonima's ""Next Generation of Meditation Teachers to Watch,” and regularly offers retreats at venues such as Kripalu, Spirit Rock, and Omega Institute.

Ralph began practicing meditation in 1996 and has taught meditation since 2008. He was a student of Amma's for 16 years and began studying Buddhism in 2005. Today, he identifies simply as a practitioner and teacher of human spirituality. Most recently, he completed an invite-only advanced meditation teacher training with Jack Kornfield.

As a psychotherapist, Ralph is a summa cum laude graduate of Fordham University’s Graduate School of Social Services. He trained in multiple modalities of trauma-focused therapy while working in NYC’s clinical foster care system. Today, his work integrates trauma theory, mindfulness, and somatic psychology. He is personally mentored by Richard Schwartz, developer of the Internal Family Systems model of psychotherapy.

Ralph himself is a PTSD, depression, and addiction survivor. His work is inspired by the tremendous transformation he has experienced through meditation, yoga, and therapy.

Ralph is also a musician, storyteller, snowboarder, and outdoor enthusiast. He is currently training to audition for the reality television show American Ninja Warrior.
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"Only connect." -E.M. Forster
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Retreat Specialties

I bring an integration of Western psychology, Eastern mysticism and meditation, and social justice served up alongside telling personal stories from my own journey that people tend to find compelling.

Teaching Specialties

Radical honesty and transparency. Decades of experience on the path that includes explorations of Buddhism, Hinduism, Reiki and healing arts, yoga, breathwork, Christianity, psychology, feminism, and social justice work.

What are your favorite Retreat Venues around the world

Omega Institute, Spirit Rock, Kripalu, New York Insight. Good energy, curious students, great faculty support.

What's your personal definition of what it means to thrive?

Intimacy with life on all levels. Bringing love and courage to our journey physically, mentally, spiritually, interpersonally, emotionally, and socio-politically. Reaching for harmony inside, even in the presence of the rough territory - such as anxiety, depression, trauma, and reactivity. Cultivating a relationship with our deeper nature through all activity.

Who do you look up to ? Who has helped you the most along your teacher / retreat leader journey?

Amma, Jack Kornfield, Sharon Salzberg, Neil McKinlay, Sri Ramana Maharshi, Ram Dass, Reggie Ray

Ralph De La Rosa's Videos

Working with pain and distress that isn't yours
Working with pain and distress that isn't yours
Class + Practice The Pressure To Be Healed
Class + Practice The Pressure To Be Healed
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