Mark Thurston, Ph.D. is an educator, psychologist, and author of more than a dozen books about personal spirituality.  He is currently an associate professor at George Mason University in the School of Integrative Studies, and he serves as the faculty coordinator for a campus-wide undergraduate minor in well-being – including academic courses about mindfulness, resilience, and positive psychology.  Mark worked at A.R.E. and Atlantic University from 1973 to 2008, including periods in jobs such as A.R.E. Camp counselor (two full summers), youth activities coordinator, director of educational development, co-executive director, and for his final eight years in Virginia Beach as Atlantic University’s director of academic affairs.  Mark and his wife of 39 years Mary Elizabeth Lynch are co-founders of the non-profit educational organization the Personal Transformation and Courage Institute (Transformationandcourage.org), for which Mary Elizabeth serves as president.  They are parents of two adult children, and they also love their relatively new roles as grandparents.  More about his work can be found at MarkThurston.com.