Shaila Catherine was introduced to meditation in 1980 and began a lifetime of dedicated dharma practice.

She has studied with renown teachers in the United States, England, India, Thailand and Nepal. She trained with the founders of western insight meditation centers including Christopher Titmuss and Joseph Goldstein, as well as eminent Asian teachers H.W.L. Poonja, Buddhadasa Bhikkhu, Nyoshul Khen Rinpoche and Tulku Urgyen Rinpoche.

She has twice completed the rigorous jhāna and vipassana training program of Pa-Auk Sayadaw and honed her satipaṭṭhāna practice while teaching with Anālayo Bhikkhu.