The Insight Center & LA Dharma

Sunim, Juliet and Michael are fantastic! They are extremely welcoming and wise. You don’t have to practice Buddhism in order to come to the Insight Center. All you need is an open mind and heart. Check it out!

Within 4 days of coming here for the first time, I came back for a Sunday morning (10am-​12noon) meditation with Buddhist Rev. Sunim. I also had the pleasure of meeting Juliet Soopikian, MFT, the co-​founder of The Insight Center.
The group of 14 that was present today was around the same size as the previous (Wednesday evening 7:30−10pm), but the faces were all different. What was the same was the easygoing, friendly, welcoming attitude of the Rev. and Juliet as everyone entered, got themselves tea from the kitchen, and chose a seat or meditation cushion.
Rev. Sunim talked amongst the group in a lighthearted and warm way, and then started the first meditation right around 10am by ringing a singing bowl. After a 20-​or-​so minute meditation, he spoke about Buddhist teachings and took questions from the group.
His energy was similarly lighthearted and warm, and the subject he chose to speak about of following one’s inner desires — regardless of outside influences — was very interesting. He laughed lightly about the commonalities of humans — that we get angry, we get defensive, we get selfish or greedy, and that this can be a challenge.
It was funny when he conveyed his own experience: someone asked him if he was a monk or a reverend, and he said «It all depends on the time of day — sometimes you’ll get the monk, sometimes an angry man — depending on what you give me.»
I don’t think it was a coincidence at all that at that moment outside the window, I spotted 3 chubby squirrels chasing each other around and up a telephone pole!
After speaking and answering questions for about an hour, he rang the singing bowl once more for another 20-​odd-​minute meditation. A little before noon, I walked out into the gorgeous, sunny, Sunday day feeling lighter and more focused, with the knowledge that my donation and last couple hours were spent wisely.
Ahhhhhhh…: D