Dialogue with the Board

Below is a copy of an email exchange between board member Nick Herzmark and sangha member Asa Ramsey.

Asa never received a response to the concerns raised in their two most recent messages to Nick.

From: Asa Ramsey <████████>
To: Nick Herzmark <████████>
Sent: Monday, March 9, 2026 at 11:41:52 AM PDT
Subject: Applied dharma

Hi Nick :)

I sat with you at Dhamma Dena for new years a few years ago. I am writing to connect if possible about the evolution of the center. I have been meditating for over 20 years, and am also a somatic experiencing practitioner. I have seen in both communities many efforts to take to heart the teachings of radical inclusiveness. And it is only when there are leaders from marginalized communities and direct community input that I have seen true diversity in these spaces. When there is Black leadership, there are Black yogis. Where there is queer leadership, there are queer yogis. Maybe the spaces you are able to move in comfortably like spirit rock, etc…maybe those have served such a deep purpose for you. And I see a possibility in Dhamma Dena being a similarly healing space for people who haven’t had access to those kinds of institutions. I saw it with my own eyes and heart at several recent retreats and it made me want to speak up to advocate for it. Maybe you and Sakti have enough, maybe Dhamma Dena can be shared or even released into the communities that have not been able to get a foothold in the western dharma community. The Buddha was a brown man, I wonder if he would be welcomed in sangha in the US. I truly believe we can live out the dharma of inclusivity, by allowing actual inclusivity at every level. I implore you to listen to the community and allow Dhamma Dena to flourish as a racially diverse sangha. I know of no other dharma home in the country where this has been possible, and it saddens me to hear that the wishes of the community are unable to thrive under the current board. I don’t know if you can take this in, but the stories I am hearing about the current board are very troubling. I hear exploitation and dismissal of workers. And I hear racism. I may have even heard extortion. Where is the money raised for Arina’s documentary? These are very serious things. I know of many resources that may help you and Sakti understand better the impact is seems you both and Hooman are having on our collective community. Please take this in and allow board elections. It is my understanding there is no legal recourse we as a community can take, so we’re continuing to try communication and relationship. 

Sincerely, 
Asa Ramsey

On Thursday, March 12, 2026, Nick Herzmark <████████> wrote:

Dear Asa Ramsey,

Your words are powerful, you seem like a kind, sincere being with some good ideas. 

The makeup of members of the board of directors at Dhamma Dena is not going to change.
If you would like to see changes, then please work with us.

Metta,
Nick, Sakti, Hooman

ps The five heinous crimes:
1. killing your mother
2. killing your father
3. killing an arahant
4. attempting to kill a Buddha
5. creating a schism in the sangha

On Thursday, March 12, 2026, Asa Ramsey <████████> wrote:

Thank you so much for your reply. I really appreciate it and I think the reason I took the time to write was from a sense of there being a heinous schism in the sangha. I feel I’ve watched it go from being an increasingly inclusive space for disabled, queer and black and indigenous yogis and teachers, to becoming more white again like the other retreat centers. I’d love to know what all of your relationship is to reflecting on whiteness. I know it’s uncommon in western dharma and therapeutic communities, and can feel divisive to even mention. I think, though, it’s actually a necessary part of fostering genuine inclusivity. I’ve appreciated watching Tara Brach’s path around this and wonder if you all are in touch with her at all. Maybe she would like to be part of the conversation. I’ve been in the Dhamma Dena sangha for a long time, as I understand you all have too. So I’m wondering if you tell me who you mean by “the sangha” and how you understand a schism to have been created? and what is your understanding of how we can work with you? I would love to work with the sangha to see change. 

Thank you, with care,
Asa

From: Asa Ramsey <████████>
Date: Thursday, March 12, 2026
Subject: Fw: Board of Directors is the bad guy
To: Nick Herzmark <████████>
Cc: Hooman Anvar <████████>, Sakti Rose <████████>, Nick Herzmark <████████>

Also just want to address the renaming of the subject of this email… my original subject was “applied dharma” and Nick I am assuming you retitled it? That doesn’t feel accurate or in good faith to me. The board seems to have played a role in some serious issues at Dhamma Dena and I’m am writing to participate as a member of the sangha, not to identify a bad guy but to raise concerns.