Ron Ames

Ron Ames is a film producer, meditation teacher, and Certified Change and Transition Strategist who has always been drawn to the creative process whether through filmmaking or guiding people toward greater presence and balance in their lives.

Ron graduated from the UCLA film school and studied theater at the Actors Studio with Lee Strasberg. He began his career directing theater in Los Angeles producing television commercials and music videos. From his first feature film, Martin Scorcese’s, The Aviator to Amazon’s Lord of the Rings: Rings of Power, Ron has had great interest in the technical aspects of modern filmmaking and in the collaborative creative process. Ron finds joy in the teamwork and artistry of storytelling on screen.

While being a full-time producer, another journey was unfolding. Ron felt called to meditation and Dharma practice. What started as reading a few books and sitting quietly at home grew into a life-changing path. Ron started to study with Spirit Rock teacher and InsightLA founder Trudy Goodman. Encouraged by her to deepen his practice, Ron attended Spirit Rock’s Dedicated Practitioners program in Woodacre, California. Soon after, he was invited to join the first teacher training cohort at InsightLA. As a senior teacher, Ron has since had the honor of teaching meditation and mindfulness to people from all walks of life, in both the secular and Buddhist tracks. Ron currently studies early Buddhist Meditation practices with Bhikkhu Analayo and the Naturally Arising Practice Method at Dharma Ground. As an InsightLA teacher, he brings wisdom and compassion to all his offerings.

Over the past nine years, Ron has immersed himself in the study of change and transition with Philip Moffitt at the Life Balance Institute in Marin, California. As a Certified Life Balance Strategist, he leads workshops and as well as guides individuals and groups to identify genuine values and move toward intentional outcomes.

What makes Ron’s perspective unique is the way he blends his creative background with his meditation practice. He brings a grounded, real-world approach to mindfulness — one that speaks to the challenges of the workplace, the beauty of collaboration, and the ongoing changes we all face in our lives. He has a special interest in the later chapters of life, exploring elderhood, impermanence, and joy with curiosity and openness.