Joan Halifax is an American Zen Buddhist teacher, anthropologist, ecologist, civil rights activist, hospice caregiver, and the founder of the Upaya Zen Center, a Buddhist monastery in Santa Fe, New Mexico. Born in 1942, she has had a diverse and influential career, focusing on areas such as human rights, social justice, and compassionate care for the dying. Halifax is also known for her work on the application of Buddhist teachings to the end-of-life care field and has written several books on the subject, including "Being with Dying: Cultivating Compassion and Fearlessness in the Presence of Death". Her teachings often emphasize social engagement, mindfulness, and the interconnection between personal transformation and societal change.