Bob Otis Stanley

Bob Otis Stanley is the founder of Sacred Garden Church and has spent many years guiding retreats and community gatherings held within a framework of careful practice and least dogma, that honors participants' unique pathways towards and experiences of the Sacred. He brings a steady, grounded presence to group spaces, with an emphasis on gently growing mutual care, respect and trust.

With psychology and religious studies degrees from UCSC, Bob also holds a Master of Divinity from the University of Chicago and enjoyed post-graduate research and study in cognitive science and in sociology at New York University. In addition to his community, group meditation and retreat engagement, he has trained therapeutic and spiritual / religious facilitators for nearly 10 years.

Bob's background informs a facilitation style that is thoughtful, relational, and accessible, without being dogmatic or prescriptive. He approaches facilitation as a collaborative process, attentive to both individual experience and group dynamics. At retreats, Bob’s role is to cultivate a relationally attuned and supportive environment, where participants can slow down, reflect, and engage deeply with themselves and others.