Mindfulness teacher Larry Yang joins Konda Mason for a conversation about the power of the immigrant experience, creating opportunities in the realm of mindfulness, and much more.
Larry Yang teaches mindfulness and loving-kindness retreats nationally and has a special interest in creating access to the Dharma for diverse, multicultural communities. He is the author of Awakening Together: The Spiritual Practice of Inclusivity and Community, and is also a senior advisor in Mindfulness and Healing Justice for the Kataly Foundation. Learn more about him at larryyang.org.
The Power of the Immigrant Experience
Konda welcomes her longtime friend Larry to the Brown Rice Hour. They talk about Larry’s parents, the challenges they faced immigrating to America, and how that parallels the anti-Asian violence happening right now in America. Larry explores how history itself can be both a mindfulness practice and a healing practice.
“Even though the oppression and the discrimination and the hatefulness in the larger culture is still there… the power of the immigrant experience is to create a life that is independent of the suffering.” – Larry Yang
The Realm of Mindfulness (26:03)
Konda asks Larry about his journey to mindfulness. Larry talks about how his natural curiosity has helped guide him through his life. They discuss how Larry has helped create opportunities for people from BIPOC and LGBTQ communities to enter the realm of mindfulness.
“I’m just curious about what would it take for the door to be more open than the one I went through. What would have to change?” – Larry Yang
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Different Perspectives of Dharma (42:32)
Konda and Larry dive into Larry’s experience studying in Southeast Asia. Together they explore different perspectives on mindfulness and the dharma offered by the East and the West, and how each has its own benefits. Konda shares how much Larry has personally influenced her own journey with mindfulness. Larry ends by talking about his work with the Kataly Foundation.
“The teacher cannot be the glass ceiling.” – Larry Yang
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