Acharya Judith Lief is a contemplative hospice pioneer, meditation instructor and former dean of Naropa University. A close student of Chögyam Trungpa Rinpoche, Judith has authored numerous articles on Buddhist psychology and practice, as well as the book, Making Friends with Death: A Buddhist Guide to Encountering Mortality. She is on the board of the Madison-Deane Initiative, a Vermont-based organization dedicated to educating people about end-of-life issues and improving the care of the dying. In addition to offering Buddhist teachings, Judy teaches on the topic of a contemplative approach to death and dying in a variety of settings, including hospitals, hospices, conferences, and retreats for people facing life-threatening illnesses. Currently, Judy lives in Colchester, Vermont with her husband, Chuck. She is both a parent and a grandparent, with two daughters, Jessica and Deborah, and two grandchildren.