Ken Dean

Ken Dean, born July 4, 1954, St. Albans, Vermont has been close to monasteries [East and West] and monasticism [Catholic and Buddhist] for over 29 years. In 2000 while completing an Observership Residency at New Camaldoli Hermitage in Big Sur, California, a dear close friend of the Dalai Lama asked Ken to go live and work in Belfast, Northern Ireland to personally prepare the logistical / organizational steps of the Dalai Lama’s arrival in Northern Ireland to further enhance the process of peace. Ken was instrumental in arranging the meeting of the Dalai Lama and Gerry Adams of the IRA, and was invited to sit in on the meeting. Ken also helped arrange the Dalai Lama meetings with political leaders, civic leaders, church leaders, community leaders, and victims families in Belfast, Northern Ireland.

In addition to a life long interest in monasticism, Ken has worked extensively on presidential campaigns in the United States. In 1972 he was the youngest elected national delegate for US Senator George McGovern of South Dakota. Ken has served on the National Staffs of US Senator Gary Hart of Colorado (1984 and 1988), and Governor Jerry Brown of California (1980 and 1992.) In 1992 Governor Jerry Brown defeated Bill Clinton in six Democratic Primaries /Caucuses--- Ken was the campaign manager of two of those victories.

In 1984, Ken was the campaign manager of the state of Gary Hart’s largest victory over Walter Mondale, and in 1988 was Senator Hart’s single sole surviving national delegate. Ken has been elected a national delegate seven times to the Democratic National Convention, and in 1992 served on the National Rules Committee.

In 1978, Ken taught Gandhian non-violence to New England members of The Clamshell Alliance. The Seabrook, New Hampshire nuclear power plant, second reactor, was never built.

Ken has a BA in Comparative Religion (1983) from the University Of Vermont and lives on a small farm in southern Vermont and raises sheep. And he is learning how to make maple syrup in the spring.
He continues to spend long periods of time in quiet prayer, stillness and contemplation at New Camaldoli Hermitage in Big Sur, California.