Rosa: A Journey from Fashion to the Path of Dharma

Rosa – Secrets of the Three-Year Retreat! Close Student of Michael Roach Reveals Truths

Rosa’s life was once defined by a prestigious career in the global fashion industry. She graduated young, worked with world-renowned brands, and appeared to live the dream in New York City. But something essential was missing — a deeper meaning, a lasting sense of happiness. That search eventually led her to the teachings of Geshe Michael Roach, and completely transformed her life. This is the story of how one woman shifted from the material world to a life of service, study, and spiritual dedication.

Early Strength and the Hidden Void

Rosa was born and raised in the Dominican Republic in a progressive family. Her mother, one of the country’s first female lawyers, and her father both emphasized strength, independence, and critical thinking. Although Rosa grew up in a protected environment, the broader societal restrictions placed on women left their imprint. Even in her youth, she began to push against the limitations of gender roles and traditional expectations.

Graduating from high school early, she moved to New York City to attend Parsons School of Design — the top fashion school in the world. Her entry into the fashion world was fast and intense. Success followed, as did recognition. She lived the high-paced lifestyle of New York’s creative elite, working hard and rising through the industry.

But despite outward accomplishments, she began to experience deep dissatisfaction. Every professional milestone brought only temporary happiness, followed by emotional crashes. The more she succeeded, the more something inside felt empty.

“I felt like the more I grew, the more empty I felt and the more angry I felt.”

— Rosa, 00:07:00

She started questioning the entire structure around her. Why wasn’t she happy after doing everything “right”? If achievements didn’t bring peace, what would? These inner questions became louder over time, especially as she witnessed instability even in seemingly stable companies — entire departments shut down overnight. Rosa realized that no job, no title, no brand was truly secure.

To make sense of this growing inner unrest, Rosa turned to therapy. There, she found space to speak freely and explore her anger and confusion without judgment. At the same time, she began to explore yoga and meditation. The discipline of yoga helped her manage stress, but something deeper began to stir through the teachings she encountered.

Her upbringing had been Catholic, and she always admired the moral clarity in Jesus’ teachings — but organized religion had left too many of her questions unanswered. Now, with yoga and glimpses into Buddhist ideas, a new world was opening — one that allowed exploration instead of dogma.

Meeting a Teacher Who Spoke the Truth

The real turning point came when a friend invited Rosa to attend a class at the Jivamukti Yoga Center in New York City. The teacher was Geshe Michael Roach, newly returned from a three-year silent retreat in the desert. Alongside him was Lama Christie McNally. The subject of the class was the Yoga Sutra.

Rosa had already attempted to read The Diamond Cutter, the book for which Geshe Michael is widely known, but it hadn’t resonated at the time. Still, she was curious enough to attend. The moment she walked into the room, something felt different. She was familiar with the space, but that night it had a unique energy — quiet, powerful, and inexplicably sacred.

Before the teaching even began, Rosa noticed that the atmosphere among the people present was remarkably warm and sweet — something rare in New York City. This alone left a strong impression. But what came next changed everything.

As Geshe Michael began the class, he went straight into explaining the concept of emptiness using the example of the pen. His clarity, his logic, and his directness broke through the confusion Rosa had carried for years. For the first time in her life, someone was offering a worldview that actually made sense and could be applied to daily life.

“This is the first time that somebody actually told me the truth.”

— Rosa, 00:19:23

In that moment, she realized she could let go of blame. She didn’t have to remain angry at the world. She didn’t have to wait for others to change. If things were empty of fixed identity and arose from her own seeds, then she could take responsibility and transform her world from within.

Inspired, she began what she called a personal experiment. She committed to watching her speech — avoiding harsh words, lying, divisive speech, and gossip — for three months. Every day, she tracked her behavior in a small notebook.

The changes were astonishing. Neighbors who had never spoken to her began to offer help. Her team at work became more harmonious. People on the subway smiled and engaged with her. It felt as if the city itself had shifted, reflecting back the seeds she was now planting.

Rosa now knew that the teachings worked — not just in theory, but in practice. This wasn’t philosophy for monks in robes; this was a method to reshape one’s life, down to the smallest interactions.

From Manhattan to the Desert: Entering Diamond Mountain

Rosa’s commitment deepened quickly. She began attending every teaching Geshe Michael gave in New York. Through those events, she grew closer to students like John Brady and Kimberly Binhoff, who soon invited her to join a group studying the Delam course — an essential preparation for deeper Tantric studies at Diamond Mountain.

She didn’t fully understand what it meant at first, but she agreed immediately. When they outlined the structure — regular teachings in New York, required readings, empowerments, and eventual participation in the Diamond Way — she accepted without hesitation. A month later, she quit her high-level corporate job at Federated Stores, the parent company of Macy’s and Bloomingdale’s, to dedicate herself fully to study.

Over the next several years, she flew between New York and Tucson up to 30 times a year, attending weekend intensives, courses, and retreats. She supported herself through freelance work for top fashion brands like Banana Republic, J.Crew, and Ann Taylor, and occasionally taught at Parsons, her alma mater. Her old life was still there — but it now served her spiritual one.

At Diamond Mountain, the facilities were simple: tents, temporary buildings, open desert. Rosa had never camped before. She had to learn how to pitch a tent, cook outdoors, and stay safe in an environment filled with snakes and wild animals. But none of it felt like a burden. Every step was infused with purpose.

“I was like a new human. I was taught everything I needed to learn in order to receive this teaching.”

— Rosa, 00:37:14

She studied Tantric courses with Geshe Michael and Lama Christie, and parallel teachings with Lama Palmo. Being from the Caribbean, she felt a special kinship with Lama Palmo, and took every opportunity to learn from her. Though she sometimes doubted whether she truly belonged — having started later than others — Rosa stayed committed and grateful for the opportunity.

The devotion of the teachers left a deep mark. They spent countless hours preparing, translating, and structuring the teachings to ensure students could understand and apply them. Rosa often felt their devotion to the students was even greater than the students’ devotion to them.

Over time, the feeling of not being “qualified” faded. She began to trust that everyone finds their teacher in their own way — and that her connection with Geshe Michael was ancient and real. When she finally entered the Diamond Way, it felt like returning to something timeless.

Service as the Foundation for Transformation

For Rosa, the key to sustaining her Dharma path was simple: constant service. She applied her design skills in every way possible — from fashion to photography, graphics to logistics. Wherever help was needed, she stepped in. This outward activity kept her grounded and connected to her teachers.

At Diamond Mountain, service was a way of life. Even in the middle of advanced teachings, students would participate in practical projects — cleaning, building, preparing materials. Rosa embraced this culture completely. The act of doing something for others, no matter how small, became her most reliable source of joy and stability.

This attitude also shaped how she responded to crisis. When conflict arose around Geshe Michael’s relationship with Lama Christie, Rosa was not shaken. She had never studied with traditional monastics before and had entered the Dharma through this unconventional gateway. Instead of judgment, she saw their partnership as a bold and meaningful expression of practice.

Even when other Buddhists in New York criticized her decision to follow Geshe Michael, Rosa stayed calm. A close friend once wrote her a long letter, trying to dissuade her from continuing. Rosa replied with kindness but clarity — explaining that she saw for herself the authenticity of the teachings and gently asking her friend not to interfere further.

“Please protect your mind. Don’t do this again.”

— Rosa, 00:59:09

For Rosa, these moments only deepened her commitment. The more she practiced, the more clearly she saw the effects in her own life — and the more she trusted the method. She took refuge not in personalities or appearances, but in karma and emptiness. This perspective gave her resilience when events around her turned difficult.

When the tragic death of Ian Thorson occurred during the three-year retreat, Rosa was in Los Angeles. She refused to consume media coverage or online rumors. Instead, she turned to Mahamudra teachings and took internal refuge, reminding herself of the teachings on perception and causality.

Shortly after, she flew to Mexico to support an early DCI event, teaching yoga and translating for Geshe Michael. In a private moment backstage, someone asked how they should respond to everything happening. Geshe Michael’s reply was simple and profound.

“Just be kind.”

— Geshe Michael, repeated by Rosa, 01:18:49

That became Rosa’s guiding principle. No matter the circumstance, the answer was to remain kind — to others, to the teacher, and to oneself. Over time, this became the core of how she held her connection to the lineage, even as others drifted away.

A Life of Devotion and Daily Dharma

Today, Rosa continues her journey as a close collaborator of Geshe Michael Roach. She manages Diamond Cutter Press, overseeing the publication of books and materials that spread the teachings globally. She also directs Diamond Cutter Jewels, a project that unites the values of inner clarity with outer beauty.

In addition to her professional work, she has led the Spanish translation team for several years, ensuring access to Dharma for an entire language community. Whether editing texts or organizing logistics, Rosa remains dedicated to the path she chose nearly two decades ago.

Some people have accused the community of being a cult. Rosa doesn’t deny that technically, any spiritual group might be described that way. But she challenges people to look at the results. What kind of people does this path create? In her experience, the teachings produce kinder, more peaceful, and more generous human beings — starting with herself.

As for Geshe Michael himself, Rosa speaks of him not just as a teacher, but as a being of extraordinary depth and purity. She resists categorizing him as simply human. In her eyes, he embodies the highest principles of compassion, logic, and wisdom — not just in speech, but in every action.

“I don’t even see him as a person.”

— Rosa, 01:37:52

Their relationship spans nearly twenty years. Through service, practice, challenges, and transformation, Rosa has maintained unwavering devotion. Not blind faith — but a conviction rooted in evidence, experience, and the logic of karma. For her, this path has not only brought knowledge, but healing, purpose, and a home for her heart.

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