Rob Nairn is the representative in Africa for The Venerable Dr Akong Rinpoche with responsibility for eleven Buddhist centres in four African countries. His objective is to teach meditation and Tibetan Buddhism to all interested, as well as at graduate and undergraduate level in the United Kingdom, Ireland, Africa and the United States through universities and Dharma Centres. His unique mix of training and experience in law and psychology as well as having been instructed by eminent meditation teachers enables him to explain traditional Buddhist concepts from a Western psychological perspective.

Curriculum Vitae
Career history in law:
Professor Law & Criminology, Director Institute of Criminology, University of Cape Town
Senior Lecturer in Law University of Cape Town.
Advocate of the High Court Rhodesia/Zimbabwe
Senior Lecturer in Law & Criminology University of Rhodesia.
Private Secretary to Minister of Justice Law & Order in Rhodesia
Appointed magistrate at 21 (youngest appointment ever in Rhodesia)

Qualifications in Law:
Postgraduate Diploma in Criminology, Edinburgh University.
Studied criminology, psychology and law at King's College London
Graduated LL.B (Hons) (London) at Rhodesia University, awarded Commonwealth Scholarship for postgraduate studies in U.K
Advocate of the High Court Rhodesia/ Zimbabwe

Buddhist Studies and Practice:
From early 60s studied Buddhist philosophy and psychology and developed an understanding of meditation under teachers in India, England, Africa and Scotland, including, Joseph Goldstein, The Ven Chao Khun Sobhana, Dhammasuddhi from Thailand and Ayya Khema.

Main Buddhist studies began in 1975 at Samye Ling Tibetan centre, Scotland. Teachers included The Khentin Tai Situ Pa, The Ven Thrangu Rinpoche, The Ven Dr Akong Rinpoche, Lama Yeshe, Abbott of Samye Ling & Retreat Master, Lama Ganga and Ken Holmes - Director of Studies.
Completed a 12 year course of study and meditation training under these Lamas.

These years of study covered many aspects of Buddhist history, philosophy, psychology and logic. In later years the emphasis was on Mahamudra teachings and meditation practice - the most profound system of meditation within the Tibetan system of training.

Completed the classical four-year cloistered retreat (1989-1993) at Samye Ling under the guidance and tutelage of lamas. Learned and practised ancient Tibetan methods of meditation within the Mahamudra tradition of the Karma Kagyu Lineage of Tibetan Buddhism.

Teaching Career:
In 1964 instructed by His Holiness The Dalai Lama to teach meditation and Buddhism.

From 1975 taught courses on Buddhism in South Africa, Zimbabwe, United Kingdom, Ireland and the United States.

In 1979 instructed by His Holiness the XVIth Gyalwa Karmapa to teach Insight Meditation.

Opened and ran a Buddhist Centre at Nieu Bethesda, South Africa between 1981-1988. [This cente has closed down permanently.]

Currently travels all year to teach and run retreats: Africa, United Kingdom, Ireland, USA and Europe (Italy, Holland, Germany).

Publications:
Tranquil Mind - an introduction to Buddhism and meditation
Kairon Press 1993. Now in 10th anniversary edition, and available in 8 languages. English, Afrikaans, German, Italian, Spanish, Czech, Dutch and Portuguese.
Published by Shambhala USA as What is Meditation? Buddhism for Everyone. (1999)

Diamond Mind - psychology of meditation
Kairon Press 1998 Shambhala 1999. Described by Shambhala as 'the most user-friendly book on Buddhist psychology to date'.
Also in Italian, German & Dutch.

Living Dreaming Dying - wisdom of Tibetan psychology
Kairon Press October 2002.
Rights sold to to Shambhala USA, Astrolabio Italy., Theseus Germany.
Selected Exclusive Books 'Book of the Week' 6 January 2003.