My work since 2006 through UCLA’s Mindful Awareness Research Center (uclahealth.org/marc) emphasizes making mindfulness teachings accessible to all, regardless of background, yet without losing depth practice. In recent years I have been teaching on Natural Awareness— the effortless, objectless, and spacious side of awareness practices. Socially engaged Buddhism is a thread woven through many of my talks-- how can we end suffering both internally and externally? Having worked with teens and young adults for many years, some of the talks are geared to young people. Finally as a mom of a tween, I'm deeply inspired by the transformative power of daily life and family practice.
In this talk, Diana weaves together stories from her own spiritual journey with what she sees as universal aspects of the spiritual path. She talks about obstacles that arise on the path, learning to love ourselves more deeply, the power of liberating insights, and the journey to resting in Natural Awareness.
This talk explores different ways we experience awareness. Starting with focused attention to choiceless awareness to natural awareness, where we rest in the luminous qualities of our mind.
This introduction to mindfulness explores the elements that make mindfulness work: attitude, attention and intention. It includes many parenting examples!
This talk weaves together the theme of courage--in our practice and our lives--with stories about Ven. Sayadaw U Pandita who passed away in April, 2016. Diana shares personally about her complex and powerful experience as his student.
This talk overviews the larger mindfulness movement--the science, the ways mindfulness has been incorporated into society, and the definitions. The second half explores the practical elements of mindfulness and how to practice it.