
About Ramona Lisa Ortiz-Smith, MBA (she/ella)
FREE SPIRIT

Photo Credit: Monique Arelle
Ramona Lisa Ortiz-Smith, MBA, (she+) is a Teacher and mentor in the Theravada Buddhist lineage and Vipassana (insight) meditation tradition. Ramona Lisa is a Free Spirit who creatively weaves together real life experiences into her Dharma interpretation using Earth based practices, trauma informed practices, authenticity, kindness, humor, music and joy!n She is honored to be in the 2025-2028 cohort of the Insight Meditation Society+Spirit Rock Retreat Teacher Training Program.
Ramona Lisa is a Resident Teacher for Assaya Sangha, a Community Teacher for East Bay Meditation Center (EBMC) and an Assistant Teacher on silent retreats for Insight Meditation Society (IMS) and Spirit Rock Meditation Center (SRMC). She serves as a guest teacher for Sacramento Buddhist Meditation Group, Marin Sangha and other Buddhist sanghas and meditation communities.
Ramona Lisa is a dedicated lay practitioner of the Dharma who has also spent several years undertaking contemporary Upasika vows and living as a lay renunciate. When not teaching, she is likely meditating, sitting in long, silent retreat practice or enjoying time with her adult daughter, family, friends and Dharma Buddies!
Trainings, Certifications & Affiliations
Certified Mindfulness Teacher
Indigenous Focusing Oriented Therapy Practitioner (IFOT)
Ordained Minister
Ramona Lisa is ordained by American Marriage Ministries and enjoys officiating wedding ceremonies for those she knows deeply.
