Dhammācariya Sobhana (aka) Delson Armstrong
Delson studied at Pathways World School in India for three years and completed his A Levels through the University of Cambridge International Examination center of the British Council. He graduated from the New York Film Academy and published a series of novels. He has ghostwritten for publishers, studios and private clients.
He attained all six degrees of Kriya Yoga under the lineages of Lahiri Mahasaya, Sri Yukteswar, and Paramahamsa Hariharananda. He has studied Upanishadic contemplative practices under the lineages of Paramahamsa Ramakrishna,Swami Sivananda, and Swami Chinmayananda.
Through study and application of Patanjali’s Yoga Sutras, he has attained all ten levels of Samadhi (meditative states of absorption). He has also practiced Jnana Yoga through the lineages of Ramana Maharishi and Nisargadatta Maharaj, attaining the level of Sahaja Samadhi (effortless absorption) and studied the teachings of J Krishnamurti and UG Krishnamurti.
In 2016 he completed an online retreat that is based on the original suttas and was introduced to Tranquil Wisdom Insight Meditation led by David Johnson. Delson naturally grasped the concepts of the 6Rs. Since then, he has taken a deep dive into the practice and the suttas and is able to easily guide students to the most sublime stages of peace and wisdom. He was asked by Venerable Bhante Vimalaramsi specifically to start teaching.
While guiding online and retreats, he supports individuals on their journey and interacts with research institutions on neuroscience, cognitive behavioral therapy, and the phenomenology of meditation. When situation allows for it, he is open to guiding physical retreats around the world upon invitation. His teachings are freely available to all.
Delson dedicates his life to teaching the Dhamma. As a natural next step, we are happy to announce his new Dhamma name:
Dhammācariya Sobhana
- Dhammācariya – this means Dhamma Teacher. It indicates one who lives by the Dhamma. This is a title more than a name.
- Sobhana – This can mean lofty, pure, shining, or happy. This name was also used by Mahasi Sayadaw, who was a friend of Venerable U Silananda (whom Bhante Vimalaramsi served as kappiya for several years).
Though he is not a monk, Dhammācariya Sobhana has a personal attendant (kappiya), Koen van den Biggelaar. He takes care of worldly affairs for him, where applicable.
Delson’s Bio from Module 1: “Freedom of Mind“