Cori Barker
I was raised a bit unmoored in the religious and spiritual world. I read a lot of science fiction and fantasy growing up, so no shortage of ideas and fantasies about what is going on and who’s running the show. But I loved to work with computers and technology, and didn’t find much interest in such topics at that time of my life.
There has always been a sense of something, though; while “maturity” took its toll, I never lost the memory of a few rare occasions where, as a child, I was . . . just happy. Then one day, thanks to Huston Smith’s kind and clear description of the Buddha, and other religious figures, in his book The World’s Religions, English translations of the Suttas, I found myself catapulted into this meditation party. The joy was enough to send me searching for what would eventually lead me to simply Google “who teaches from the original suttas” and then to the fine works of Mr. Doug Kraft.
- CORI T. BARKER, LMT, EIT: TWIM Guide, Massage Therapist, Engineer
- INSTRUCTION: In-person Sitting Group, Online Guide for Dhamma Sukha Meditation Center, Zoom Classes, YouTube Channel
- LOCATION: Denver, Colorado
- CONTACT: aBuddhistGuide@gmail.com
Bio
Cori Barker brings together the curiosity of an engineer, the sensitivity of a healer, and the joy of a devoted meditation practitioner. His first career as an electrical engineer trained him to think with precision and clarity — skills he still uses today in software development, systems thinking, and his grounded approach to teaching meditation. Yet, the stresses of the corporate world led him to seek a more balanced and meaningful path. In 2014, he left engineering to study massage therapy, beginning a new life centered on well-being, embodiment, and mindful awareness.
That search deepened in 2017 when Cori discovered Tranquil Wisdom Insight Meditation (TWIM) and the teachings of Venerable Bhante Vimalaramsi. Under Bhante’s mentorship, Cori dedicated himself to rigorous study and thousands of hours of meditative practice and retreats. Through years of guidance and direct experience, he developed a deep understanding of the Buddhist path, particularly the jhānas (meditative absorptions) and the brahmavihāras (the divine abidings of loving-kindness, compassion, joy, and equanimity).
As a meditation guide at Dhamma Sukha Meditation Center, Cori shares these teachings with warmth, humor, and clarity. His approach reflects both his analytical training and the gentle, flexible “Teflon mind” cultivated through TWIM. Students appreciate his down-to-earth metaphors, relatable insights, and ability to meet them exactly where they are.
Cori’s teaching invites meditators to discover that the path to awakening can be light, joyful, and profoundly human — a journey of ease, wisdom, and genuine connection.
Activities
- Sign up for 10-day online guided retreats through the DSMC: https://www.dhammasukha.
org/online-retreats
- For those in the greater Denver Colorado area: In-person group sittings every 3rd Sunday at my house or Regis University Library. Register at https://yourwizardmassage.com/
twim .
- Book a free (donations accepted) online introductory Zoom meeting as well! https://
yourwizardmassage.com/twim
- For excellent and fun TWIM videos, follow A Buddhist Guide on YouTube: https://www.youtube.
com/@abuddhistguide - Cori will be holding an in-person retreat in the Denver, Colorado area in February 2026. Details will be updated here.