"We must look at ourselves over and over again in order to learn to love, to discover what has kept our hearts closed, and what it means to allow our hearts to open." — Jack Kornfield
About Dr. Ashe
Dr. Ashe received his medical degree from University of California San Francisco (UCSF) and completed psychiatric training at Stanford University. He went on to complete subspecialty training in Child and Adolescent Psychiatry. As a physician, Dr. Ashe received his board certification in psychiatry and neurology in 2006. He has taught in several medical schools and graduate programs and co-taught with NY Times bestselling author Dr. Rachel Naomi Remen as part of the UCSF Healers Art course. Dr. Ashe holds a Masters Degree in Clinical Psychology and received advanced training in Psychoanalysis.
His approach as a medical doctor is informed by his experiences at the San Francisco Zen Hospice Project, his involvement as a yoga teacher for children and adults, and his decade of practice as a bodyworker trained by Marion Rosen. Prior to studying psychiatry, Dr. Ashe worked with homeless people in San Francisco and collaborated in research to help change policies of the San Francisco Health Department. His psychiatry practice is currently based in Northern California, but Dr. Ashe sees people throughout California via a remote consultation practice.
Personal Influences
My life is dedicated to Buddhist practice and I consider myself a student of the Dharma. I received my first formal initiation into Buddhism personally from the sixteenth Gyalwa Karmapa, Rangjung Rigpe Dorje, more than 40 years ago at the age of 16. I am also a formal student of Dzigar Kontrul Rinpcoche and have studied for many years with his close student, Pema Chodron. In 1985, I worked with vipassana teachers Satya Narayana Goenka, Ruth Denison (and later) with Jack Kornfield.
My life is grounded in a daily yogic practice. This practice began as an early teen. I feel a deep gratitude to my personal friend, professor Dr. Richard Mann, a brilliant professor from Harvard University, who first taught me the depth of meditation and yoga, opening his home at the university for students. I also am grateful to my teacher, Ram Das, who ignited my journey and opened my heart swimming in the Maui ocean with him after his stroke. I hold appreciation for Swami Satchidananda and Swami Ramananda for guiding and instructing me as a new yoga teacher nearly 30 years ago.
I have been deeply blessed by teachers in the Christian, Jewish, Native American and Sufi traditions. I carry heartfelt gratitude for my dear friend and mentor, Dr. Rachel Naomi Remen, who has helped me remember the heart of medicine and what is really means to be a healer. It has been an honor to teach with her and uphold the mission of transforming the world of medicine as a practice of the heart.
Thirty years ago, I trained in many mind-body modalities and spent a decade working in these modalities. At the time, I did gradate training in Clinical Psychology and provided front line service to people in hospice during the AIDS epidemic in San Francisco. One of my richest inspirations was a three year apprenticeship and training with Marion Rosen, a pioneer in the field of mind body health and wellness. I was deeply fortunate to work with her personally toward the end of her life. She emphasized the interconnections between the physical posture and the emotional state of the person, sharing a deep understanding of the relationship between the breath and the mind, and taught how the body is a living metaphor of a person’s inner state.
Each of the traditions I studied has helped me to bring ancient wisdom into my practice of modern psychiatry. As we work together, you will discover that my approach is one of deep listening and offering resources and supportive tools that you can apply in your day to day life.
I recognize and respect that each individual has a personal journey they are manifesting and utilize the learning I have received to offer guidance. My ongoing inner work in this life, with my family and partner, helps me to better understand the personal growth challenges we all face. You are not alone. I am here to meet you on this journey. “We are all walking each other home” (Ram Das).
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