Vimalasara (Valerie Mason-John) is the resident teacher at Vancouver Buddhist Centre and is a master trainer in conflict transformation, leadership and restorative justice. She is the author of eight books, including her dharma books, Detox Your Heart (working with anger, fear and hatred) and Eight Step Recovery Using The Buddha’s teachings to Overcome Addiction. She also gave a popular TED talk entitled “We are what we think.”

Ordained in India 2005, her name means she whose essence is stainless and pure. She grew up in orphanages, foster homes, and on the streets and was locked up at the age of 15. She has survived all of this and much more to be a leader in her community.