Transformational Practices for a Better World

PAUL KNITTER
PROFESSOR OF THEOLOGY
NEW YORK, NY

I go about my own personal practice and my teaching of Active Compassion in what can be called a “hotbed” of social activism, of resolute commitment to justice, of dedication to a “preferential option for the poor,” and of standing up boldly to “speak truth to power.” I’m talking about Union Theological Seminary in New York City.  read more...

JANE VECCHIO
COLLEGE TEACHER
NORTHAMPTON, MA

After two decades of community college teaching I was burned out, dried up, and nearly done in. I’d gone from loving my students to avoiding them, and I was in mourning for those lost connections and for my missing joy. Then I serendipitously found these mediation practices, and, slowly but profoundly, I rediscovered my connection to my work, and my students became newly precious to me. read more...

BOB MORRISON
WRITER & MEDITATION TEACHER
CAMBRIDGE, MA

The practice of Innate Wisdom and Compassion has been a heart practice of mine for years now, something I do formally every day, and something that informs everything in my life.  I am currently active as a meditation teacher in three different sanghas –- FAC, Natural Dharma Fellowship and a nonsectarian Open Awareness sitting group –- and it affects all my teaching.  read more...

ANA HRISTIC
MENTAL HEALTH WORKER
PORTLAND, OR

These practices have informed every aspect of my life, including professional, personal, and spiritual. I have been a student of Lama John Makransky since early 2000, and recall a feeling of deep resonance the very first time I heard his delivery of the teachings and methods now succinctly presented in FAC. As a mental health professional... read more...

BETTY HOLMES
PSYCHOTHERAPIST
AUSTIN, TX

As a psychotherapist, a wife and mother, I often find myself face-to-face with pain and suffering. I might be listening to a client tell their story of trauma. I might be watching someone I love deal with life-threatening issues. Like all human beings, I might be struggling with challenges of my own... read more...

CAROL MARSH
ARCHITECT
HYDE PARK, MA

On Thursdays I lead a tonglen meditation practice at the Norfolk MCI prison, asking the men to bring to mind a difficulty they are currently experiencing, very familiar with, and really allow themselves to feel it deeply. Then arises the realization - "Oh, this is what so many others are feeling, exactly like this!" and to wish that by feeling this they and all others would be freed of such suffering. read more...

CATHY CORNELL
SOCIAL WORKER
NEW YORK, NY

I have seen how the practice of innate love and wisdom helps to uncover an amazing transformative power for healing and how it empowers people to move into and beyond the limits of fear and self-doubt in their lives. In my work as a clinical social worker, I see how this practice can open people up to an experience of love and acceptance when before they had felt they were so alone... read more...

DAVID GILNER
LIBRARY DIRECTOR
CINCINNATI, OH

I am Director of Libraries at Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion, the rabbinic seminary for Reform Judaism.  A long time meditator, I have been practicing Innate Compassion and Wisdom meditations under the guidance of Lama John, opening my heart to the love abiding both in the world around us and inside each individual, practices which continually transforms my life. read more...

JANE BURDICK
FELDENKRAIS PRACTITIONER
PORTLAND, ME

John Makransky first started introducing the practices of Innate Wisdom and Love/Compassion in the late nineties.  I was lucky enough to be present then and these are still my core practices today.  I was and am deeply struck by how profound they are, trusting them to safely reveal layer upon layer of holding patterns while opening to our truest being.  They are simple yet... read more...

ANDRIA WHITED
RESEARCH MONITOR
NEW YORK, NY

I work at the New York State Psychiatric Institute for the Institutional Review Board (IRB). The IRB is tasked with protecting human subjects involved in research. My role as research monitor, reviewing study charts to ensure compliance, can sometimes be viewed contentiously by researchers. read more...

JOEL BAEHR
PASTORAL PSYCHOTHERAPIST
CAMBRIDGE, MA

I can personally testify to the effectiveness of practices of Natural Love and Compassion in transforming my experience of the Parkinson's disease from a difficulty and suffering, to ordinary life and even a blessing.

And, here are actual comments by the participants in my meditation groups:

"Just being.. not meditating... for me seems the most fruitful for uncovering the spaciousness. read more...

LILI KNUTZEN
MENTAL HEALTH COUNSELOR
NEW YORK, NY

We all experience difficulty. We all have challenges to navigate. One of the most compelling challenges of my work as a therapist is to help people figure out a way to productively find comfort and soothe themselves as they navigate life's curveballs in a lasting way.  read more...

SANDRA TALANSKY
PSYCHOTHERAPIST
POLLENZA, ITALY

I am sitting here on a hillside outside of my village Pollenza, Italy reflecting on the  rich experiences that the Innate Love and Wisdom practices have provided to members of our sangha (Sangha Bodhicitta of Pollenza), groups of volunteers  working in social services and to a self help group of women survivors of breast cancer that I facilitate. read more...

TAMARA DALY
PSYCHIATRIC NURSE
BOSTON, MA

As a psychiatric nurse I am exposed an extremely difficult environment filled with people who are locked up due to their mental illness as they are a danger to self or others. It’s a dangerous and frightening place to work. No matter how motivated you may be to help this vulnerable population, burn out is endemic among the helping professions involved.  read more...