Sonam Senge is a teacher of awakening in the tradition of his principal teacher, the Venerable Namgyal Rinpoche. Senge, a native of New York state, was recognized as a gifted painter when still in his teens, and was invited to attend the prestigious Art Students' League in new York City. Senge later traveled to Toronto in the 1960s where he met and began studying with Namgyal Rinpoche (then Bikkhu Ananda Bodhi). Senge received ordination in the Karma Kargyu tradition from His Holiness the 16th Karmapa. He has also been ordained in the way of the elders (Theravadin Tradition) by Sayadaw U Thila Wanta of Burma.
Senge co-founded the Open Path Dharma Centre in Boise, Idaho, in 1980. His Eminence Chogye Trichen Rinpoche (of the Sakya tradition) asked Senge to begin giving Wonkurs (Tibetan meditation empowerments). From 1984 to 1987, Senge led a three year Ngondro Foundation work retreat in Costa Rica; after which he became the senior instructor in Buddhist Studies at the Kinmount Academy and Seminary founded by Namgyal Rinpoche. In 1999, Senge led a group of Dharma students in a tour of Asia, meeting many teachers including His Holiness the Dalai Lama.
Senge is a tantric adept, a teacher of Western mysteries, and a visionary Dharma teacher. He currently resides on Vancouver Island, British Columbia.