May we sense our intrinsic belonging.
May we realize our radiant and creative potential.
May we experience beauty, joy and awe.
May we live in generous reciprocity with mother nature, and be held in love.
A number of years ago, I went on a five-day, solo, contemplative retreat in the high desert of New Mexico. I got quiet and listened. I meditated and walked and dreamt, and listened some more.
In the stillness, held by nature, a sense of clarity emerged, a vision for how I wanted to live my life and be of service. I deeply recognized the essential value of living from a space of care, connection, sensitivity, and mindfulness. And I found myself galvanized to support others looking to live their lives more fully aligned with their values and sense of purpose.
OpenSpace Mindfulness was born from and is infused with this intention.
It is an invitation to resource yourself. Its offerings—including coaching, trainings, retreats and classes—provide you a haven to experience deeper connection, with yourself, your community and the world around you. Through our work, you will discover a space in which you can explore, be replenished, feel seen and heard as well as realize your full creative potential.
As I reflect upon this space I have created with my work, I am filled with gratitude. I am grateful to those who have trusted me to guide them within their unfolding lives, grateful to all of my guides and mentors who have enlightened my path and grateful to have listened in years ago to this understanding of my lifework.
In appreciation,
Ashley Dahl (she, her, hers)
Contemplative Guide, Coach and Educator
And the day came when the risk to remain tight in a bud was more painful than the risk it took to blossom. Life is a process of becoming…
– Anais Nin
Background and Credentialing
Everything that I offer clients and students is rooted in decades of education, training and personal experience. Here is a brief sketch of my path:
In earning my Bachelor of Arts from Boston University in philosophy and political science, I realized the importance of reducing social, political and cultural barriers that interfere with our ability to live lives of dignity and meaning. This inspired me to pursue a Master’s degree in Social Work with a concentration in human development and interpersonal practice from the University of Washington; it was there that I also participated in the Training in Interdisciplinary Collaboration and Core Leadership programs and was certified in Human Services Management. I continued to bring more dimension to this calling through multifaceted studies in coaching, including graduating from the ICF-accredited Seattle Coach’s Professional Coach Training.
I began my contemplative journey as a child when I discovered how the natural world gifted me with greater understanding and a deeper sense of belonging. I embarked upon a formal meditation practice in the vipassana (insight) tradition as a young adult. Realizing I wanted to infuse contemplative practices into my work, I pursued formal education and mentorship. I became certified through the International Mindfulness Teachers Association and am an accredited Mindfulness Teacher through the Mindfulness Training Institute, where I also served as a mentor. I graduated from Awake in the Wild Teacher Training, an apprenticeship program with dharma teacher Mark Coleman, focused on bringing contemplative practices into natural environments, and later served as a mentor for this program. Additionally, my participation in programs such as One Earth Sangha’s Eco Sattva program has further assisted me in supporting people to meet our increasing climate crisis with caring presence. I am currently mentoring with former monk Caverly Morgan in nonduality, collective practice and Zen meditation.
I am also the Managing Director for Caverly Morgan— she is a nondual meditation teacher in the Zen tradition, founder of nonprofits Peace In Schools and Presence Collective, as well as author and public speaker. Prior to this I served as Executive Director of one of the largest independent yoga businesses in the U.S. for over a decade, and was Youth Programs Coordinator for the City of Seattle for ten years.
Ashley Dahl, MSW, CMT-P / Contemplative Guide, Coach and Educator
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