Sung Ösel (Rafael Hoekstra)

Buddhadharma

Sung Ösel (Rafael Hoekstra) teaches classic Buddhadharma from all 3 cycles of Buddhism. He met his root Guru Lama Yongdu Chokyi Gyaltsen (Lama Mark Webber) in 2004, and continues to study closely with him, often as his attendant. He trained in the novice precepts for some years, and now holds the Ngakpa vows. He has completed extensive retreats both with Lama Yongdu, and alone.

Ösel has also received Wongkurs, teachings, and transmissions from many esteemed Gurus, including Lama Tarchin Hearn, H.E. Drikung Lho Ontul Rinpoche, and H.E. Drikung Lho Ratna Rinpoche.

Qigong

Since 2017, Rafael has trained in Taoist Qigong with Paul Cavel, in the Water Method lineage of Lao Tse (Lao Tzu). He is qualified by The Tai Chi Space school to teach Foundational Qigong Level 1.

"I find the emphasis of the Taoist Internal Arts on physical / energetic practices to be highly complementary with the Buddhist emphasis on meditative / contemplative paths."

Photo

Background

Rafael holds a PhD in Nanoscience, Materials, and Chemical Engineering from the Universitat Rovira i Virgili, Spain, where he mentored under Dr. Francisco Andrade to publish papers and patents on chemical sensors for medical and environmental applications. He ran a marketing consultancy for artists in the United States, worked in Indonesian real estate, and founded an AI SaaS company in Singapore.

Ösel is now increasingly shifting his energies from business towards studying, practicing, and teaching Buddhadharma & Qigong.

Rafael Hoekstra at PhD thesis defense, July 2018