I was introduced to Vipassana meditation in 1990 when I took an undergraduate class on the “Social Psychology of Consciousness.” I meditated on my own until 2003 when I began sitting with the Flagstaff Vipassana Sangha and attending retreats. As a professor of sociology at Northern Arizona University I integrate contemplative practices into my teaching and writing. I have written about Buddhist Sociology as well as about how contemplative practices may help us address environmental crises. More recently I have had the opportunity to facilitate “mindfulness circles” and offer workshops on “Mindfulness for Social Activists.” I live with 4 wild beings (my husband and 3 children) and find their presence a continual reminder to breath and experience the aliveness of the present moment.
In this talk, we explore a resilient kind of okayness — one that can embrace our heartbreak, anger, and hope simultaneously. This talk isn't about pretending everything is fine, nor is it about fixing or escaping difficult emotions. Instead, it's about cultivating the capacity to stay present, aware, and grounded in the midst of it all, allowing us to hold our experiences with acceptance and clarity.
In this talk, Janine delves into the Buddhist concept of Anatta, or No-Self, highlighting how, while the other two "marks of existence" — dukkha (suffering) and anicca (impermanence) — seem self-evident, the idea of no-self can seem perplexing. However, it doesn't have to be that way. Join Janine for a clear and accessible exploration of no-self and discover what lies beyond our usual understanding of who we are.
In the concluding part of this two-part series Janine explores living with uncertainty by examining how impermanence and change are intrinsic to who we are and how letting go of fixed identities (and connecting with existence itself) can open us up to greater freedom.
In the first talk of this two-part series Janine talks about riding the wave of impermanence and flowing with change. She explores how grounding ourselves in the present moment can help us move from resisting change—which leads to suffering—to navigating life's uncertainties.
In this talk, Janine shares reflections on “Following the Aliveness”—which she sees as both a practice and a way of life—and it’s also the name of her new podcast. She explores the meaning of following the aliveness, embracing it as a spiritual practice, and its connection to Buddhist teachings on non-attachment and letting go as paths to greater freedom. Janine also shares insights on nurturing aliveness through daily practices and creative expression. The talk concludes with a brief guided meditation, inviting participants to connect with their own sense of aliveness as a guiding force in both everyday life and spiritual exploration.
In this Dharma talk, Janine introduces six transformative practices for working with anxiety. Throughout the session, she weaves in brief guided meditations to give participants a direct experience of these tools. The practices include: cultivating mindfulness of anxiety, questioning the thoughts that fuel it, exploring its presence in the body, placing it within a broader perspective, clarifying your role or purpose, and nurturing the seeds of inner peace and well-being.
In this dharma talk, Janine reflects on the power of loving-presence in the world, why loving-presence and not simply love or presence, and how we may cultivate a loving-presence in response to whatever arises both externally and internally. The talk ends with a guided meditation on cultivating loving-presence.
In this talk, Janine delves into the power of meditation, from quick practices that can bring you back to presence with just a single breath, to the impact of maintaining a daily routine. She highlights how regular meditation can enhance clarity, deepen presence, foster compassion, help you respond rather than react, and offer insights into the nature of reality.
In this talk Janine explores how we may replace compulsive thinking with presence. She suggests that the simple act of becoming aware of thought patterns can serve as a portal, prompting us to dive beneath the waves, and enter the deep still ocean waters, where peace, wellbeing, and liberation live. The talk ends with a guided meditation designed to notice the witnessing presence behind the thinking mind.
