The full moon in May is Vesak, a sacred occasion commemorating the birth, enlightenment, and death of the Buddha, all on the same day. People flocked to the Buddha’s teaching because he showed the way to awakening using skills that everyone can cultivate within their own minds and hearts. He proved that it’s possible to find freedom within the human condition, right in the midst of birth and death. Vesak celebrates this possibility of awakening for each one of us.

Our InsightLA community has been mourning the tragic death of one of our teachers, Michael Stroud. On March 2nd, a few hours before he passed away, I spoke to Michael by Zoom into the ICU, offering him Buddhist refuges and reminding him of the love of his community. His family was present and we could tell he was listening. His beloved partner Frances, who shares the Buddhist practices he loved, chanted for him non-stop during his illness with complications of pneumonia.

Trudy Goodman reflects on the crisis in Ukraine and increasing conflict throughout the world, and shares the Buddhist teachings we must take to heart at this time.

Black History Month has been observed in the United States since 1976. Although the annual celebration is during February, amplifying Black voices, stories, and history is important year-round. The theme for 2022 is health and wellness, in honor of Black health care professionals in Western medicine as well as doulas, midwives, birthworkers, and herbalists practicing complementary ways of healing throughout the African Diaspora. I celebrate our InsightLA teachers of African descent, dedicated advocates of mindfulness training and well-being for all.

Trudy Goodman reflects on practicing mindfulness with Thich Nhat Hanh.

A letter of thanks and appreciation for the many people who made 2021 a year to remember.

Katie-Jay Scott and Gabriel Stauring, the gracious and loving ‘mindful humanitarians’ who served refugees around the world through their small but mighty anti-genocide non profit – iact.ngo – were killed last Tuesday night in a car accident.

A big thank you for everyone who joined for InsightLA’s end of year benefit.

The full moon is waning now; silvery light splashes into my little room on retreat on Whidbey Island. Like the movement of ocean tides, women’s bodies are attuned to the rhythm of the moon cycle.