Academy Teachers

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Vimalasara Mason-John

Valerie Mason-John aka Vimalasara worked as an international correspondent covering Aboriginal deaths in custody, interviewed Sinn Fein prisoners and ex rebels from the Sierra Leone war. Their work in the field of conflict transitioned into working with gangs, the incarcerated, bullies and challenging behavior. They trained in mindfulness and is a senior teacher in the Triratna Buddhist Community.

 

They are one of the founding facilitators of Dr Gabor Mate’s Compassionate Inquiry and also trained in Internal Family Systems. They have also completed short intensive training in Embodied Somatics, Breathworks and Shamanism training. The award winning author of ten books including Detox Your Heart Meditations for emotional Trauma, Eight Step Recovery Using The Buddhas teachings to overcome addiction, and more recently their shortlisted book for two Canadian Awards I’m Still Your Negro an Homage to James Baldwin. 

 

Their next book A First Aid Kit for the mind - Breaking the cycle of habitual behaviours. They are also one of the founding creators of freedom together a blaipoc mindfulness training by and for blaipoc only. They work as an international public speaker in the field of mindfulness for trauma and addiction, and offer training in this field. And as an interviewer Wisdom For life. Interviews have included Robert Thurman, Resmaa Menakem, Tarana Burke, Sharon Salzberg, Gabor Mate, Jack Kornfield, Ken Hardy, Luisah Teish, Carl Hart, Ruth King and many others. Valerie/Vimalasara has a private practice and lives in Canada with their partner. 

Teachings

• January 7th 2024 — Bringing the New Year in with Wisdom
  
  Every day is a new year, and it’s an opportunity to do something different because the past has gone . However so many of us hold onto the past or cling onto a future that hasn’t even arrived. Today we will explore letting go and discovering a freedom in the present moment. Let’s leave behind our addictive and compulsive behaviors and face the reality of now! 
• December 4th 2022 — In Dialogue with Vimalasara
  

  In October Vimalasara gave us all an opportunity to ask all those questions you've wanted to but have been too shy to. So many fascinating questions arose, so they will continue the dialogue as many of you ramp up for the holidays in November and December. Vimalasara will give a short meditation and a dharma talk based on questions from the listeners. Curiosity is an important element of recovery. We need to become curious about letting go of certain behaviours, and we need to ask all those questions that may inspire us. We look forward to seeing you on Sunday December 4th.

• October 2nd 2022 — Ask anything about Recovery and Dharma - and see what you discover
  

  This is an opportunity to ask all those questions you've wanted to but have been too shy to. You will have the opportunity to ask your questions anonymously too if this helps. Vimalasara will give a short meditation and a dharma talk based on questions from the listeners. Curiosity is an important element of recovery. We need to become curious about letting go of certain behaviours, and we need to ask all those questions that may inspire us. We look forward to seeing you on Sunday October 2nd.

• November 7th 2021 — A Taste of Freedom
  

  This month in our Buddhist Recovery Workshop series Vimalasara led us in a guided meditation and Dharma talk.

• November 1st 2020 — Meditating during Uncertain Times
  

  With the American election coming up, and the spike in COVID cases around the world, it is inevitable that many people may be experiencing PTSD, panic attacks, worry and concern. Many people ask how can meditation help when all you are doing is sitting on the cushion? Don't we have to get up, go outside and act? Yes we do. What we do off the cushions we bring onto the meditation cushion, and what we do on the meditation cushion we take back into the world. So come and join the President of BRN and explore meditation through a trauma informed lens, and surrender to some healing.

  
  Award-winning author of 8 books, Valerie (Vimalasara) Mason-John is the co-founder of Mindfulness-Based Addiction Recovery MBAR, a secular recovery 8-week program, and the co-author and co-founder of Eight Step Recovery Using The Buddha's Teachings to Overcome Addiction. She was the co-founder of Healing and Insight a teaching faculty embracing Buddhist Recovery in all its guises. She is now responsible for programming Buddhist Recovery Retreats at the Menla Retreat Centre in Upstate New York. Chair of Vancouver Buddhist Centre, she is a senior member of the Triratna Buddhist Order, and tours internationally as a public speaker and trainer in the field of addictions and emotional trauma.
  Website: www.valeriemason-john.com