Charles Frode is a lifetime master language arts teacher, educational technology integration expert, and writer / author / speaker for over 35 years.

His experiences in a Trappist monastery, and the archetypal friendship he developed there with an extraordinary monk parallel amazingly the two medieval monks—one contemplative and one passionate — in Hermann Hesse’s novel, Narcissus and Goldmund. In the monastery Frode learned to meditate, to realize The Ground of Being, and to probe silence with one-mindedness. While there he received his BS in Religious Studies and Philosophy from UC at Santa Cruz. After Frode left the monastery to seek illumination in the world, like Goldmund, he continued his friendship and correspondence with his Narcissus in the monastery for over 30 years until his death.

Frode has continued to meditate, study the Christian mystics, and plumb the nature of reality, the self, and existence. His study of Tibetan Buddhist and Indian spiritual masters, along with the current research between lifetime Buddhist meditators and cognitive-neuroscientists has empowered Frode to nurture his 31 year marriage with his Aztec princess from Mexico; care for their 4 children; continue to teach English Language Learners, Creative Writing students, and currently, incarcerated juveniles; write and publish 3 collections of short stories and his memoir of his monastic experience and friendship, I Am Goldmund: My Spiritual Odyssey With Narcissus; and speak to groups about the power of mindfulness.

Frode has a Master of Science Degree in Educational Technology and teaching credentials from California and Idaho. He is bilingual and bi-literate in Spanish and English.

• Listen to a recent podcast interview with Frode and Ghostman Raines where he discusses his six books, his experiences as a monk, and his life as a teacher.

• Listen and watch a recent YouTube interview with Julie Ann Guthrie-Smulson at Zenbuzzys.com about Frode's memoir of his time in a Trappist monastery and his archetypal friendship with his Narcissus.