Sydney met Rinpoche in San Francisco in 1996 and knew as soon as he walked into the room that she wanted him to be her teacher. Sydney was accepted formally as his student a year later and, in gratitude, has served him in many capacities since. She served on the Academic Development Committee of Khyentse Foundation and was a Co-Director with her husband, Chris Jay, of the Leadership Training program for Rinpoche’s monks, khenpos, and other Rinpoches.

She was fortunate to be among those who completed the first 3-year retreat under Rinpoche’s guidance at Vajradhara Gonpa in Australia from 2005-2008 during which she completed the Longchen Nyingtik Ngondro. Her belief is that, while Ngondro is often talked about as a preliminary practice, the depth of the practice expands far beyond a beginning. Sydney is delighted to be an instructor for the Ngondro Gar and Dharma Gar (for students who choose to continue to develop their Buddhist practices). Her commitment to students is to support and encourage students as they develop their practice and their relationship with the Guru.

Sydney lives in Seattle with Chris, is the mother of three (her youngest son died at the age of 17 in 1995), the grandmother of three, and step-grandmother to two.