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Dr. August Leming is a life-long student of the human experience. He learned early on that the world can sometimes be a dangerous place. A history of childhood trauma and difficulty making sense of his experience provided fertile ground for a much needed deeper look at what this life has to offer. Earning a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology with a minor in Philosophy from Columbia University, August was introduced to the study of Buddhism in 1989 under Robert Thurman. Unbeknownst to him, this introduction would play a major part in his life for decades to come. For several years after graduation, August traveled the globe in his efforts to find a semblance of peace. A number of continents later, he found himself back home, exhausted from years of use and abuse of alcohol and drugs. Compulsivity having taken its toll, August returned at 360 pounds, jobless and without direction. A simple scene from Shawshank Redemption motivated him to turn his not yet identified alcoholic obsession towards bodybuilding. Three years later, he stood at 200 pounds, eating disordered, no less fearful but now capable of selling his obsession as, of all things, a health coach. Alcohol would soon become a part of the picture again, and by the age of 28, August had finally reached bottom. Getting sober meant going back to school, a safer place, as he was always a high achieving academic. What was intended to be a two-year Masters program at Seton Hall University, evolved into a seven-year Doctorate in Counseling Psychology. While studying at Seton Hall, August served as an Adjunct Professor, teaching Child Psychology, Adolescent Psychology and Statistics on both the undergraduate and graduate levels. He did extensive research in adolescent aggression, racial identity, spirituality in counseling, meditation and personality development. As part of his Doctoral training, August worked in the NJ prison system where he developed a Family Services Program and worked extensively with populations impacted by violence, trauma and addiction. Dr. Leming’s dissertation – Happy, Joyous and Free: An Exploration of the Relationship between Affiliation with Alcoholics Anonymous and Quality of Life allowed for extensive research into the history, effectiveness and underlying methodology of 12 Step Recovery programs. 

Sober since 2000, August has continued his Buddhist studies since first beginning in 1989. He has attended multiple week-long retreats and has taught meditation around the world in his work with nonprofits, corporations, universities and athletic programs.  His first-of-its-kind compassion-based model of high performance has allowed him to work with organizations across the United States, Europe, Asia, the Middle East and New Zealand. August has been an invited speaker at Yale University, Princeton University, Williams College, University of Virginia, Bucknell University and University of Washington, among many other academic institutions. 

While educated at some of the country’s most elite colleges and universities, August values the wisdom of life experience above all else. Knowledge can be helpful, but wisdom is useful. Being given the opportunity to both learn from his confusion and to experience what the world offers as success and failure, August understands an uncommonly wide range of human experiences. The Living Room at Princeton and its team of amazing human beings is Dr. Leming’s greatest joy. The Living Room was established to provide sanctuary for clinicians and clients alike. It’s a physical space that invites spiritual healing through the constant reminder that “There’s nowhere to go.”  More than anything else, August’s strange and oftentimes painful journey has made one thing very clear: this very moment is all we have. The Living Room’s greatest hope is that our team and members will learn to commit more fully to the experience of NOW and learn to meet it with a kind and loving heart…regardless of what it holds.

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August Leming, PhD

Founder, CEO

Dr. August Leming is a life-long student of the human experience. He learned early on that the world can sometimes be a dangerous place. A history of childhood trauma and difficulty making sense of his experience provided fertile ground for a much needed deeper look at what this life has to offer. Earning a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology with a minor in Philosophy from Columbia University, August was introduced to the study of Buddhism in 1989 under Robert Thurman. Unbeknownst to him, this introduction would play a major part in his life for decades to come. For several years after graduation, August traveled the globe in his efforts to find a semblance of peace. A number of continents later, he found himself back home, exhausted from years of use and abuse of alcohol and drugs. Compulsivity having taken its toll, August returned at 360 pounds, jobless and without direction. A simple scene from Shawshank Redemption motivated him to turn his not yet identified alcoholic obsession towards bodybuilding. Three years later, he stood at 200 pounds, eating disordered, no less fearful but now capable of selling his obsession as, of all things, a health coach. Alcohol would soon become a part of the picture again, and by the age of 28, August had finally reached bottom. Getting sober meant going back to school, a safer place, as he was always a high achieving academic. What was intended to be a two-year Masters program at Seton Hall University, evolved into a seven-year Doctorate in Counseling Psychology. While studying at Seton Hall, August served as an Adjunct Professor, teaching Child Psychology, Adolescent Psychology and Statistics on both the undergraduate and graduate levels. He did extensive research in adolescent aggression, racial identity, spirituality in counseling, meditation and personality development. As part of his Doctoral training, August worked in the NJ prison system where he developed a Family Services Program and worked extensively with populations impacted by violence, trauma and addiction. Dr. Leming’s dissertation – Happy, Joyous and Free: An Exploration of the Relationship between Affiliation with Alcoholics Anonymous and Quality of Life allowed for extensive research into the history, effectiveness and underlying methodology of 12 Step Recovery programs. 

Sober since 2000, August has continued his Buddhist studies since first beginning in 1989. He has attended multiple week-long retreats and has taught meditation around the world in his work with nonprofits, corporations, universities and athletic programs.  His first-of-its-kind compassion-based model of high performance has allowed him to work with organizations across the United States, Europe, Asia, the Middle East and New Zealand. August has been an invited speaker at Yale University, Princeton University, Williams College, University of Virginia, Bucknell University and University of Washington, among many other academic institutions. 

While educated at some of the country’s most elite colleges and universities, August values the wisdom of life experience above all else. Knowledge can be helpful, but wisdom is useful. Being given the opportunity to both learn from his confusion and to experience what the world offers as success and failure, August understands an uncommonly wide range of human experiences. The Living Room at Princeton and its team of amazing human beings is Dr. Leming’s greatest joy. The Living Room was established to provide sanctuary for clinicians and clients alike. It’s a physical space that invites spiritual healing through the constant reminder that “There’s nowhere to go.”  More than anything else, August’s strange and oftentimes painful journey has made one thing very clear: this very moment is all we have. The Living Room’s greatest hope is that our team and members will learn to commit more fully to the experience of NOW and learn to meet it with a kind and loving heart…regardless of what it holds.