Classes, Guided Meditations and Dharma Talks by POC teachers from the Theravadan, Mahayana and Tibetan Traditions.

POC Sangha

DJ Sol Rising @ Ecstatic Dance LA Feb 2016

Trudy Goodman and Sydney Reece on sex and the dharma.  Sex isn't spiritual, or is it?  We can be mindful and aware, no matter what the content or the context.

01/07/18 On Sex, Spirituality & Mindfulness(62 minute dharma talk)

RACIST THOUGHTS CAN BE SOME OF THE MOST INTENSE thoughts to examine especially if we have made a commitment to engage in anti-racist thinking and behaviors. Thoughts that emphasize power over others through judgment and prejudice are natural if we consider how ego functions in our everyday lives — as a sense of existing self that needs to be protected through the maintenance of self and other, often through elevating the self over others. While this may be a natural function of ego, it is our belief and reaction to the thought that creates violence for ourselves and others. How could we began the work of undoing the violence of racism and other systems of dominance? In this talk, Lama Rod will guide participants through meditation practices and dialogue to reveal this imperative path of decreasing violence.

Dharma Talks, Guest Instructors. 

07/11/19 The Birth and Caretaking of a Violent Thought, with Lama Rod Owens (85 mins)

InsightLA teacher Izumi Tanaka leads a relaxing 35 minuted guided meditation on the breath aimed at calming the mind.

Izumi has been practicing mindfulness meditation for almost 20 years and recently finished the facilitator training at InsightLA. As a freelance photographer and real estate professional, she has led entrepreneurial women’s networking groups since 2000, and is now eager to share the benefits she’s received from the practice with other busy women.

Guided Meditations InsightLA Teachers

(35 mins) Izumi Tanaka: "Calm the Mind" Meditation

6/23/19, InsightLA Teacher Eileen Ybarra leads a 32 minute guided mindfulness meditation practice.  

Eileen Ybarra began her meditation practice and  her study of Theravadan Buddhism in 2004.  She has studied with Trudy Goodman, Gil Fronsdal, and others at Against the Stream Meditation Society and Spirit Rock Meditation Center.  She completed two year-long facilitator training programs with the Against the Stream, and is set to complete the Dedicated Practitioners Program at Spirit Rock.  

Eileen has taught meditation all over Los Angeles.  She has led sutta study classes in Santa Monica and Culver City, women's meditation classes in Silverlake and in South Central LA, and at People's Yoga in East LA.  Presently she lead one of the facilitators for the Sunday night Meditation Coalition People of Color meditation group at InsightLA's East Hollywood location, and ILA's Friday night POC group at their Santa Monica location.  

When Eileen isn't battling the forces of greed, hatred and delusion, she serves as an Electronic Resources Librarian at the LA Public Library, a position that provides her with a wealth of opportunities for meaningful service.

This guided meditation was recorded at the 10:30 AM Sunday Sitting Group at InsightLA Meditation's East Hollywood Meditation Center, 4300 Melrose Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90029.

Guided Meditation: InsightLA Teachers

(32 min) Eileen Ybarra: Guided Mindfulness Meditation

07/12/19 –Dharma Talk & Q&A: “Self-Preservation as an Act of Political Warfare: Lama Rod Owens at the InsightLA Friday Night POC Sangha.” (60-minute dharma talk followed by a selectively edited 30-minute Q&A.) 

For Lama Rod Owens, becoming a Buddhist was an act of self-preservation.  Depressed, angry, a danger to himself and others, Lama Rod came to Buddhism for the answers he needed to keep going.  In his words, “I needed to learn how to save my own life … I needed to know when I “hit my edge,” and how to restore myself, so the work of social justice could continue. … 

Becoming a Buddhist became a very active form of love.  "We have the responsibility to save ourselves, and then make the commitment to save as many people that we can along the way.  The alternative is deepening hatred and despair.  It means … changing, getting clearer, gentler, happier, … whether or not you’re aware, people are watching you, relying on you, and following your lead."  

00:00:00 Trudy Goodman: Intro.
00: 00:24 Thomas Davis: Intro. Lama Rod Owens.
00: 01:29 Lama Rod Owens: Talk Begins. 
00:59:20 Q&A: Asking for Help as Self-Reliance.
01:04:15 Q&A: Making Time & Space for Liberation.
01:10:00 Q&A: Self Love & The Projections of Others.
01:18:00 Q&A: Renunciation and the Ego. 
01:21:42 Q&A: Your Birthright.
01:28:30 Thomas Davis: Thanks & Acknowledgements. 
01:29:17 Lama Rod: Dedication of Merit. 
01:30:33 Lama Rod: Closing Remarks.
01:31:16 Trudy’s Close.
01:31:39 Program End.

07/12/19 Self Preservation as Political Warfare, with Lama Rod Owens.  60m talk, 30m Q&A.

07/12/19 –Lama Rod Owens: Grounding Practice (24 min).  Lama Rod Owens leads a basic grounding practice from the Tibetan tradition, working with breath, body, guilt, gratitude, mind and the earth.

00:00:00 Trudy Goodman: Intro.
00:23:40 Guided Meditation Begins.
00:24:38 Four Bells, Meditation Ends.
00:25:18 Trudy Goodman: Exit.
00:25:37 Program Ends.

07/12/19 Guided Meditation: Basic Grounding Practice with Lama Rod Owens

InsightLA offers the highest quality training in mindfulness practices available in the Greater Los Angeles area.  For 16 years, we have offered classes, retreats, and special events, and an open and welcoming community of practitioners.  Though our work is rooted in ancient traditions, we offer classes in both  secular mindfulness as well as the Buddhist Insight Tradition.  All of our efforts are dedicated toward our mission of calming minds, opening hearts, and changing the world.

01/07/18 On Sex, Spirituality & Mindfulness(62 minute dharma talk)

InsightLA

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