Our Place in the Larger Story
Planetary Dharma engages the evolving interplay between psychological insight and spiritual opening, bridging these perspectives to foster development, integrate ancestral and intergenerational wounding, and contribute to the unfolding complexity of human consciousness. Grounded in the Kalachakra teachings, the Fourth Turning, and the transformative reversal of the Samsaric wheel, we cultivate a multidimensional path of practice informed by the Bodhisattvic commitment to serve the well-being of all life.
Since 2003, we have been contributing to a worldwide, multi-lineage movement shaped by a shared orientation toward human evolution. Rooted for our first fifteen years in Boston’s historic and educational landscape, Planetary Dharma now flourishes on the front range of the Rocky Mountains in Boulder, Colorado, an environment that mirrors our commitment to growth, spaciousness, and ongoing transformation.
Meet John
JOHN CHURCHILL, PSY. D.
Founder | Senior Teacher | Curriculum Designer | Doctor of Psychology | Author | Practitioner of Chinese Medicine
Born in London, Dr. Churchill's interest in psycho-spiritual development, Integral theory, Contemplative studies, Western Esotericism, and Mahayana Buddhism began in his adolescence. During this time, John received the esoteric Planetary Dharma transmissions that would in time unfold as his contribution to a planetary fourth turning teaching.
John began his in-depth study of Buddhist Psychology while a Buddhist monk at Samye Ling Monastery in Scotland. He then later spent 15 years training and teaching in “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 the Fourth Turning Planetary Dharma which includes: a redesigned Nine Stages of Calm-Staying practice path, and a 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.
Meet Nicole
Nicole Churchill, MA, MT-BC
Founder • Senior Teacher • Curriculum Architect
Nicole Churchill is the Head of School at Planetary Dharma, where she holds the full mandala of the organization, directing day-to-day operations, faculty and staff, community wellbeing, organizational health, outreach, and, most centrally, the design and evolution of the school’s curriculum. As a senior teacher, she helps guide the learning journeys of students across all levels of training.
A Transpersonal board-certified Music Therapist and creator of MedicineDharma, Nicole also founded One Big Band, a global music therapy initiative. She is trained as a Psychedelic Therapist with advanced certification in Mindfulness-Based Psychedelic Therapy from the Center for Medicinal Mindfulness, where she served on staff for several years.
Nicole’s work is rooted in her long-time specialization in human development. This is complemented by RYT-200 Kundalini Yoga certification and training in expressive movement, attachment therapy, hypnosis, gestalt, addictions, anxiety and depression treatment, conflict resolution, positive psychology, CCRT, and the Pointing Out style of Mahamudra meditation.
She is a founding member of Ken Wilber’s Integral Institute and spent 15 years under the mentorship of clinical psychologist and author Dr. Daniel P. Brown. Nicole earned her BA in Voice & Songwriting from Berklee College of Music and a dual Masters in Transpersonal Psychology & Music Therapy from Naropa University.
Alongside her work at Planetary Dharma, she serves as Executive Director of the Karuna Mandala Initiative, a 501(c)(3) dedicated to nurturing projects that foster wisdom culture and support a more compassionate and sustainable future.