BIPOC Affinity Group
Our purpose is to deepen our practice and explore the teaching of Dharma together in an inclusive and safe environment that embraces and celebrates our diverse voices and shared experiences, cultivating a sense of belonging, validation, and togetherness. The BIPOC Affinity Group is for individuals who self-identify as people of color. If you do not identify as such, we kindly ask that you join one of our other groups.
Our first meeting will be January 11th at 6:00 pm. We’ll gather in-person at the First Unitarian Universalist Church. More information about our meeting schedule can be found later on this page.
Insight meditation teacher and author Ruth King writes:
“Racism is a heart disease, and it’s curable. Mindfulness is like heart surgery. Through regular mindfulness practice, we begin to make peace with our own heart and mind and discover that, despite what is happening around us, we can recognize and discharge racial tension and distress within our body and mind and experience increasing moments of inner freedom.”
ABOUT THE GROUP
We seek to create a community of BIPOC individuals who support each other in their practice of mindfulness and exploration of the Dharma. Our intention is to cultivate mindfulness, wisdom, and compassion for the benefit of all beings.
The BIPOC Affinity Group operates from its core values:
- Inclusivity: The group welcomes individuals who identify themselves as part of the BIPOC community. Regardless of their experience in their practices of mindfulness and Vipassana tradition.
Mindfulness: The group is grounded in the practice of mindfulness, which promotes awareness and acceptance of the present moment.
Community: The group recognizes the importance of community in promoting healing, belonging, validation, and togetherness.
Newcomers and experienced practitioners are welcome. Drop-ins are also welcome.
GROUP FACILITATORS
Sara Flores
Sara was born in Mexico and lives in San Diego with her husband. They embarked on a life-changing journey when they moved to the United States in 2001. She worked as an IT consultant and completed her Master of Business Administration (MBA) degree. However, life took an unexpected turn when she was diagnosed with chronic illnesses that significantly impacted her ability to continue working for several years.
Seeking a path to healing, she discovered the Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) program, which proved to be a turning point in her journey toward well-being. The transformative power of mindfulness inspired Sara to explore meditation further, leading her to participate in multiple Vipassana classes and retreats. These immersive experiences allowed her to find peace, clarity, and a renewed sense of purpose, especially after the recent devastating loss of her beloved brother. The teachings of the Dharma, and the Sangha became a refuge, providing Sara with invaluable support during her grieving process.
Driven by her personal transformation and a deep passion for mindfulness, Sara completed a Mindfulness Teacher Training program and is currently pursuing a MBSR Teacher Training Program offered by Brown University. She recognized the profound impact mindfulness had on her own life and wanted to share this transformative practice with others. Her aspiration is to empower individuals from all walks of life to cultivate mindfulness and unlock their inner potential. Sara’s ultimate goal is to create a safe and inclusive space for underrepresented communities through the creation of a BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and People of Color) Affinity group, where mindfulness and community intersect to provide support, healing, and growth.
Noriko Morita Harth
Noriko is a Certified Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) Instructor, Certified Mindful Self-Compassion (MSC) Instructor and the Managing Director of UC San Diego Center for Mindfulness. Noriko has been teaching MBSR and MSC since 2014. She also offers mentorships for MBSR and MSC teachers, MBSR Teacher Training programs, and practicum at the Mindfulness-Based Professional Training Institute at the UC San Diego Center for Mindfulness.
Born in Japan, she moved to the States in 1985. Noriko feels that her life transforming journey of discovering and exploring mindfulness and compassion practices has allowed a more balanced life and identity between these two cultures. Noriko strongly believes practicing mindfulness and compassion and bringing its principles into her life has and continues to help her grow as a person. She feels passionate about bringing these practices to other people's lives especially to the underserved and diverse communities. It is her mission to share what she has learned and what she continues to learn to our community.
Meetings
The group meets twice a month on Thursdays from 6:00 to 7:30 p.m. We begin each session with a silent or peer-led guided meditation practice at 6:00 p.m. At 6:30 pm we have a brief check-in about our practice followed by a Dharma talk and then mindful sharing. This part of the meeting is guided by our mindful sharing guidelines.
Schedule:
We meet in-person on the 2nd Thursday of the month and online on the 4th Thursday of the month. In-person meetings are held at the First Unitarian Universalist Church, 4190 Front St, San Diego, CA across the street from the UCSD medical center. The entrance to church parking is on Arbor Drive. For Online Sessions, Zoom information is provided via email after signing up below.
Additional Information:
COVID-19 Note: See our COVID policy before attending in-person meetings.
Question? Please contact Sara at sara@insightsd.org or Noriko at noriko@insightsd.org.
At each meeting we listen to a recorded Dharma talk after which everyone has an opportunity for mindful sharing. Click on the panel to see links to these talks:
Is There a cost to join this group?
By signing up, you will receive emails containing the weekly talks and other resources and announcements, as well as have access to our online forum on Google Groups.