title: Brian Hines
text: # Brian Hines
  
  Brian Hines (born October 7, 1948) is an American writer and land use activist who fights development of farm and forest land in Oregon.
  
  In 1971, Hines became a member of Radha Soami Satsang Beas, a spiritual organization Radha Soami Satsang Beas. He later became critical of the organization, and after spending some time in Dharamsala now he practices Samatha-vipassana meditation.
  
  He earned a degree in psychology from San Jose State University in 1971, and a Master's in Social Work from Portland State University in 1973. Hines completed course requirements for a Ph.D. in Systems Science at PSU from 1974–77. He worked in health policy and planning from 1973 to 1988: four years as a research associate at University of Oregon Health Sciences Center and six years as a manager at the State Health Planning and Development Agency. Hines was a co-founder and executive director of Oregon Health Decisions, a citizen network on education and action on bioethical issues.
  
  Actor Shahid Kapoor credits Hines' book Life is Fair for influencing Kapoor's choice to practice vegetarianism.
  
  Hines lives currently in Salem, Oregon with his wife, Laurel.
  
  