“Look Within”
The classic teachings of the Buddha and Jesus and Muhammad and many others have transformed millions of lives across the generations and the globe, our own included. How do these teachings align with the urgency of the Black Lives Matter Movement today? The connectionis both urgent and direct and worthy of our investigation. In a time when people all over the world are demonstrating their support for BLM, how do our spiritual communities strengthen this intention? Let’s name our best next step and take it. Let’s confirm and commit to our noble intention. Which personal, political and spiritual practices inform and strengthen us during these trying times? What are we doing to move ourselves and others towards liberation? Are there less than skillful ways that we may be holding ourselves and others back? The determination of freedom fighters past and present inspires our own practices both personally and collectively. In our community of spiritual friendship, let’s explore these connections together and garner the power and benefit they afford.
John Mifsud was born on the Island of Malta and identifies as Arab-American. He has practiced Insight Meditation since 2001 and graduated from the Community Dharma Leaders Training Program at Spirit Rock Meditation Center where he is currently on the Board of Directors. John has extensive retreat experience and practiced throughout Asia. He is the Guiding Teacher of the Malta Insight Meditation Society and a former Community Teacher at the East Bay Meditation Center (EBMC). He is the founding leader of EBMC’s Deep Refuge Sangha for Alphabet Brothers of Color. He teaches internationally with a special interest in delivering mindfulness tools to marginalized communities.