“Racism is a heart disease, and it’s curable. Mindfulness is like heart surgery. Through regular
mindfulness practice, we begin to make peace with our own heart and mind and discover that, despite
what is happening around us, we can recognize and discharge racial tension and distress within our body
and mind and experience increasing moments of inner freedom.”
— Ruth King, Mindful of Race, Transforming Racism from the Inside Out.
ABOUT THE BIPOC Affinity Group
Our purpose is to deepen our practice and explore the teaching of Dharma together in an inclusive and safe environment that embraces and celebrates our diverse voices and shared experiences, cultivating a sense of belonging, validation, and togetherness. The BIPOC Affinity Group is for individuals who self-identify as people of color. If you do not identify as such, we kindly ask that you join one of our other groups.
The BIPOC Affinity Group operates from its core values:
- Inclusivity: The group welcomes individuals who identify themselves as part of the BIPOC community. Regardless of their experience in their practices of mindfulness and Vipassana tradition.
Mindfulness: The group is grounded in the practice of mindfulness, which promotes awareness and acceptance of the present moment.
Community: The group recognizes the importance of community in promoting healing, belonging, validation, and togetherness.
Meetings
We meet in-person on the 2nd and the 4th Thursday of the month from 6:00 pm to 7:30 pm. In-person meetings are held at the First Unitarian Universalist Church, 4190 Front St., San Diego, CA across the street from the UCSD medical center. The entrance to church parking is on Arbor Drive.
We begin each in-person session with a silent or peer-led guided meditation practice at 6:00 p.m. At 6:30 pm we have a brief check-in about our practice followed by a Dharma talk and then mindful sharing. This part of the meeting is guided by our mindful sharing guidelines. Newcomers and experienced practitioners are welcome. Drop-ins are also welcome.
Online gatherings are on hold for the time being. We will update this page as soon as we resume.
Question? Please contact Ryoko at ryoko@insightsd.org or Noriko at noriko@insightsd.org.
GROUP FACILITATORS
Noriko Morita Harth
Noriko, originally from Japan, identifies as a Heritage Buddhist and holds Buddhism close to her heart. Her life-transforming journey of discovering and exploring mindfulness and compassion practices has helped her cultivate a more balanced identity between her Japanese roots and her current life in the West. Noriko strongly believes that practicing mindfulness and compassion has been key to her personal growth and continues to be a guiding force in her life.
She is passionate about bringing these practices to others, particularly underserved and diverse communities. It is her mission to share both what she has learned and what she continues to learn with the broader community.
Since January 2025, Noriko has been participating in the two-year Community Dharma Leadership Program at Spirit Rock Meditation Center.
Noriko is also a Certified Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) Instructor and a Certified Mindful Self-Compassion (MSC) Instructor. She has been teaching MBSR and MSC courses since 2014 and offers mentorship for MBSR and MSC teachers, as well as MBSR and MSC Teacher Training programs and practicum.
Ryoko Ikeda
Ryoko, originally from Japan and now residing in San Diego, discovered a sense of ease through the Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) class at the UC San Diego Center for Mindfulness in 2020. She later completed the MBSR teacher training program at UCSD and continues to practice mindfulness regularly.
Passionate about the power of community, Ryoko is delighted to support Insight San Diego’s BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and People of Color) Affinity Group.
At each meeting we listen to a recorded Dharma talk after which everyone has an opportunity for mindful sharing. Click on the panel to see links to these talks:
Is There a cost to join this group?
Following a 2,600-year tradition in which the community financially supports the offerings provided, the teachings and meditation sessions in this group are offered on a generosity (Dāna) basis. No one is turned away because they cannot give. We are encouraging members to give what their budget and hearts of generosity allow, and/or to sign up for monthly giving on our donations page.
By entering your information, you will be included in our Google Groups and email notification system.
By signing up, you will receive emails containing the weekly talks and other resources and announcements, as well as have access to our online forum on Google Groups.