Michael McAlister, a resident of Lafayette, attended Stanley Middle School and Acalanes High School, and theUniversity of California. After Cal, he chose a path as an actor, a stand up comic and a Buddhist Monk. As a Writer, Teacher, and Zen Buddhist, he returned to his roots and taught at Stanley Middle School, and is now in his 13th year teaching psychology at Acalanes High School.
Searching for spiritual meaning, he found a home in Zen meditation. This led to Buddhist teachings in monasteries in Thailand and Nepal, and resulted in his book, Awake In This Life.