Sentha’s teaching style invites and evokes direct experience of what is being taught, so that you can ehipassiko, come and see for yourself. She teaches the buddhayana (Buddha Vehicle) / ekayana (One Vehicle) in the syncretic spirit of Early Chan.

Just like the ancient Silk Road facilitated all previous streams of Buddhist teachings to come together, be integrated and presented in the most relevant way to what is called for, Sentha weaves together the strands made available through our golden information era to present the Dharma in a way that awakens students to what is.

Hailing from India, Sentha brings to her teaching an awareness of the nuances of Indic language terms and customs as they present in the Dharma. She has a particular skill for translating old texts and elaborating on existing translations in a way that brings profound depth to the material.

Sentha is keenly interested in secular ways of presenting the Dharma, both to reach new audiences who may benefit, as well as to reach Dharmic practitioners in new and natural ways that deepen their practice. She has taught five year-long courses in Compassionate Communication and Presence, based on Non-Violent Communication. Her interest, understanding, and study of trauma resilience informs her approach to teaching; she completed her TRM (Trauma Resiliency Model) Level 1 Training in December 2015 at the Trauma Resource Institute. Sentha also has training in Inner Relationship Focusing (PFP), an embodied way of being with whatever comes up in our experiencing, just as it is, that allows it to dissolve and resolve. Her practice is honed by the journey of motherhood where the rubber meets the road for her in the application of the Dharma.

Sentha is committed to meeting and honoring students where they are to point out what is intrinsically and already present.

Recommendation from Marvin Treiger

“Sentha is that rare combination of loving Grace & Precision—Wisdom that informs and inspires the student towards their best. Miss her teachings and you’ve really missed something.”
– Kadak Pawo, December 25, 2025

Recommendation from Gilbert Gutierrez

I highly recommend Sentha Sivabalan as a Buddhist teacher. I’ve known Sentha for over 20 years and found her to be the most sincere and genuine demonstrator of Buddha Dharma.

Her doctrinal level is at the highest level of the best scholars, and her practical level of demonstrating Buddha Dharma is beyond reproach.

It is not just her individual practice that she excels in, but she also excels in communicating her passion and interest in Buddha Dharma to others, inspiring them in a soft and yet engaging manner in which she is able to bridge the gap between one and another to inspire the student to resonate in their true nature.

Anyone who listens to her present the Buddha Dharma will have a great affinity with the true practice and message of Shakyamuni Buddha. I know that in any teaching position she engages in, those who listen to her will truly be greatly benefited.

Respectfully submitted,
Sincerely,
Gilbert
July 13, 2026