Ladan is the Founder and teacher at Honey in the Temple, the co-founder and teacher at Contemplative Creativity Lab as well as the co-founder of Authentic Presence - Authentic Action. Ladan has brought together many aspects of her 15 years of Buddhist studies, various spiritual journeys and creative practices to form Honey in the Temple. Ladan’s inspiration in creating Honey in the Temple is to share with others the joy and liberation she has discovered in her pursuit of what lays beyond suffering and pain. She brings her own flavor and alchemy to create a playful, warm and nurturing Hive environment where everyone is invited and encouraged to find their innate wisdom and joy by reconnecting with themselves and their world.

Ladan is Iranian-American, born and raised in Tehran until the age of 16, when her family immigrated to the US. She currently splits her time between the US and Mexico. She has lived, studied, made art and worked around the globe, including in India, Chile, Germany, Ireland, United Kingdom, Cambodia, and the US. 

Ladan also works in the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion space, with a focus on highlighting the vast histories, wisdoms and contributions of various cultures and communities to society. Ladan is the recipient of several honors, including the 2009 Noor Film Festival’s Best Short Film Award for The Florist; the American Film Institute Directing Workshop for Women Scholarship in 2004 (she was the first Iranian-American to receive this); the Nell Shipment Film Award; and the Eastern Washington University Artist Award. She holds an MFA in Creative Practices from Transart Institute at University of Plymouth, UK. She is also a Shambhala Art teacher. If she had to choose something that brings her the greatest joy, well that’s not possible, so here are three: liberation from suffering, community, all things nature and her teachers/guides along the path. Fine--that was four…