“I close my gate, wanting to end grief, but grief won’t go away.
Then spring wind comes, and I want to keep grief close,
but somehow grief won’t stay.” — Wang An-Shih
My understanding of Dhamma is a living tradition that has been passed down from teacher to teacher for centuries on generosity in Burma. I do not have anything against mindfulness in the modern context, which can be used for stress reduction and productivity enhancement. However, I believe that the practice of Dhamma is about something much nuanced and magical: a heartfelt connection to nature.
Nature is not something that can be controlled or manipulated. It is ever-changing and often unpredictable in human eyes, and this is what makes it so beautiful. My teachers says that practice is about "doing nothing with full commitment." It is about building a relationship with pain, sorrow, peace, joy, and everything in between, without preference.
This does not mean that I do not like pain or that I do not want more peace. Of course, I have those human reactions. However, there is something incredibly powerful about simply being with whatever is happening now, without judgment or resistance. This is not always easy, but it is always worth it.
Another part of the practice of Dhamma is that it brings us to a wordless and non-conceptual reality. This is not some kind of new-age spirituality. It is simply the recognition that we are more than our thoughts and our words. We are messy, irrational, complex beings, and that is perfectly okay.
I love words, but I always forget that they carry more than just their literal meanings. Behind words there are tones and feelings that are less conceptual. Being in touch with this less solid place can be scary, but it is also incredibly healing.
As an artist and advocate for diversity and inclusion, I believe that this practice is crucial. We live in a world that is full of violence and oppression. The practice of Dhamma can help us to cultivate compassion and understanding, and to work towards a more just and equitable society.
This practice is a journey of non-harming and non-either-or. It is a puzzle that I am still trying to solve. But I believe that it is a journey that is worth taking.
I hope that this serves you in some way.
WHAT I practice and HOW I share.
My practice of Vipassana (insight) meditation is rooted in the Theravada Buddhist tradition in Burma. I was first introduced to this practice in Mahasi tradition by Steven Smith, Michele McDonald, and Jesse Vaga-Frey. I had the opportunity to deepen my practice during a 3-week silent retreat at Kyaswa monastery in the Sagaing Hills of Upper Burma, where I was fully ordained. I have also studied Bhikkhu Analayo's 9-week Satipatthana course. I continue to deepen my practice with retreats, self-retreats, and take part in a collaborative community, attha, for further discussion and Pali study with Jake H. Davis.
I am a trans POC meditation practitioner and educator, and I am committed to sharing this practice with others, especially those who are marginalized. I have completed a 300-hour teacher training at MNDFL, and I am a qualified MBSR (Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction) teacher through the Mindfulness Center at Brown University.
I share the practice without price, and I am often supported by freely offered generosity from individuals and organizations. I have worked with non-profit organizations, agencies, Broadway companies, the LGBTQ community, and social workers. If you are interested in having a conversation or practice with me, please reach out.
Guided Meditation
Transgender
Vipassana Mindfulness
Practitioner.
My writing on how mindfulness/ Vipassana meditation supports gender affirming transition.
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What is benefits of mindfulness for performers? - 09/01/2020
A workshop I did for a voice studio in NYC over Zoom. The thing is that expectation itself for benefits will often lead to disconnect… we can still aspire though.
“Starts affect us, and we affect them deeply.”
— Michele McDonald