Lama Lena (Yeshe Kaytup) is a teacher of direct mind perception meditation (Dzogchen and Mahamudra) and a lineage holder of several Tibetan Buddhist traditions. Her informal style is marked by precision and directness; students around the world revere her for an exceptional ability to convey profound teachings in a clear, poetic, and humorous manner.

Beginning in 1972, Lama Lena studied for three years with Lama Thubten Yeshe at his monastery in Nepal. She then spent seven years in retreat, practicing in a small cave above Tso Pema lake under the guidance of her root teacher, the Venerable Wangdor Rinpoche. Since that time she has continued to travel extensively with him as his principal translator and assistant.

At the request of H.E. Dzigar Chöktrul Rinpoche and the Venerable Wangdor Rinpoche, as well as many Western and Tibetan students, Lama Lena travels the world teaching and translating texts of the lineages she represents.

Having studied Chinese medicine, Lama Lena also maintained a medical practice in the San Francisco Bay Area. She currently divides her time between New Orleans and Tso Pema lake, where she teaches and provides medical care to the Tibetan refugee community, local Indian residents, and hill tribes.