About Lauren

Lauren Alderfer About

Lauren Alderfer comes to the world of microdosing and the use of entheogens through the lens of her many decades of meditation. She understands the powerful lived experience of non duality to enhance one’s presence. Deepening a connection to one’s essential nature, living with ever  greater loving-kindness and wisdom, and sharing in the interconnectedness of nature and all  sentient beings can be equally powerful experiences when approaching microdosing and entheogens through the heart of mindfulness. 

She is the award-winning mindfulness author of Teaching from the Heart of Mindfulness. She also wrote the popular children’s book, Mindful Monkey, Happy Panda as well as other Buddhist  stories. Leaving the U.S. to start her career in Ecuador as a Fulbright English Language Fellow, Lauren lived in the Andean region for  over twenty years. She then lived on the Indian subcontinent for nearly two more decades. There,  Lauren was immersed in language preservation in the Tibetan refugee community. She blends a  Western perspective with the deep spirituality of the East, infusing both in her personal and  professional life. 


A long-time mindfulness practitioner, certified microdosing coach, and IAYT certified yoga therapist,  Lauren has worked in US-based overseas schools for over 30 years and been a professor in several graduate programs in the US. She is an avid tennis player, thermal spring enthusiast, Tibetan and crystal bowl practitioner, and lifelong learner. Lauren holds a Ph.D. in Global Educational Leadership.

Testimonials as a Mindfulness Educator

  • Lauren is a divine healer, true teacher, and beautiful soul who holds a special gift of guiding one back to their essence.... their heart. Her teachings and wisdom come from a place of truth and love. Lauren has taught me to trust in the essence of life and connect to the deeper teachings always present! Working with Lauren has awakened my eyes, opened my heart, and inspired my soul to see the magic in life.

    Ellen Bradley, Yoga Icon & Entrepreneur Nosara, Costa Rica

  • I was going through a time in my life when some decisions had to be taken which I was unclear of. Her manner was gentle and kind and allowed me to feel completely safe in her hands. She gave me courage and support to follow my own heart.

    Mala Barua, Meditation Teacher and Wellness Expert, India

  • Lauren supported me to look at some areas of my life from a different viewpoint which gave me interesting insights for important life situations. Lauren is professional, kind and very experienced and I really enjoyed working with her.

    Adele Landauer, Life and Mindset Coach, Nosara, Costa Rica & Berlin

  • I highly recommend a session with Lauren if you are looking for clarity, balance and relaxation in your life.

    Hayley MacMillan-Ord, Aerial Yoga Instructor & Co-founder Del Mar Academy, Nosara, Costa Rica

  • My experience with Lauren was nothing less than deeply nourishing and liberating. I highly recommend the opportunity to access timeless, soul-supporting information through Lauren’s skillful offerings.

    Emily Wiadro, Yoga Teacher, USA & Online

  • Lauren helped shift something inside me, a striving fell away and ease entered. I feel freed from my interrogation of my past, the conflicted relationship with my mother. And as importantly, I understand that she too knows all is well between us. I’m grateful Lauren shares her amazing gifts.

    Jill Johnson, Writer & Editor, USA

  • Working with Lauren is enlightening and enriching and is a process I feel truly blessed to enjoy. Lauren has helped me to find joy where I could not before and to see much more clearly a path toward the future.

    Sophie Alweis, Philanthropist, Portland, USA

  • Lauren is in-depth, accurate, and offered me great clarity on current life challenges.

    Natasha Tome, Intuitive Medium, Canada

  • Lauren helped me to gain insight and clarity on certain patterns which allowed an effortless letting go of these patterns resulting in more ease in life.

    Tammy Bennet, Masseuse, Nosara, Costa Rica

  • I truly felt like Lauren attuned to my own body’s wisdom. Her decades’ long practices and training alongside her intuitive gift allowed me to benefit from her compassion and her incisive guidance.

    Therese Jornlin, Qi Gong Master Teacher, USA

  • Lauren helps to uncover threads from my past that will allow me to make connections to my present and even future. The process enables me to manifest my highest good by setting clear intentions and then letting go and staying open to the possibilities of what is sure to be an enlightening experience.

    Aisha Visram, Nosara, Costa Rica & Toronto

Achievements & Accomplishments 

  • Fulbright English Language Fellow, Ecuador and Venezuela

  • Winner, INDIE Award; best book in education 

  • Community Service Award, US Embassy, Ecuador

  • Presentar and featured speaker at various TESOL Conferences

  • Adjunct Faculty, SIT Graduate Institute (25 years)

  • Educator and Administrator at International Schools in Ecuador, India, and El Salvador

  • English Language Director, Andean Peace Scholarship Program, Ecuador

  • Co-Founder, La Primavera Health Food Store, Cuenca, Ecuador (1981)

  • Peace Corps Training, Honduras; Literacy Educator

  • Researcher, CREFAL, Patzcuaro, Mexico, Literacy Education

  • VISTA Volunteer (precedes Americorps), El Paso, Texas; Spanish Literacy 

  • PH.D Global Educational Leadership 

  • Contact Lauren Alderfer to learn more about her work