Wesak - Buddha Day Festival
Sunday 3rd May
10.15am to 4.30pm
Meet the three members of our Sangha becoming Mitras on this festival day…
Samantha Smith Mitra bio
Samantha was introduced to mindfulness over twenty years ago while working as a psychotherapist in community mental health. What began as something to offer to others, quickly became something she deeply cherished for herself. Over time, her mindfulness studies led her to the wider Dharma and her personal commitment to living with greater awareness and compassion developed within a Sangha in Massachusetts.
For the past twelve years as a practising Buddhist, the Sangha and Dharma have been a sweet and steady refuge for Samantha. It has helped and challenged her to meet difficulty with a little more patience, to soften where she might previously have shut down, and to ultimately keep returning to compassion for self and others.
Three years ago, while spending more time in the UK supporting her parents, Samantha discovered the Brighton Buddhist Centre. Here, through meditation, practice and the warmth of the community, she experienced a genuine sense of belonging and deep affinity with dharma siblings. She enjoys attending the Saturday morning meditations, Padmotarra’s monthly meditation sessions and Sripada’s and Debra’s women’s group. About six months ago she moved more permanently back to the UK and is pleased to call the Brighton Buddhist Centre and Triratna her Dharma and Sangha home.
A little about Samantha’s broader life journey that relates to the Bodhisattva Path (even before she was consciously that this path existed)! After a stint working at Natwest bank in East Sussex, as a young adult Samantha embarked upon an international adventure. This included time in Brazil working with street kids, visiting youth in Juvenile detention and serving as a homeless women’s and youth coordinator on skid row in Los Angeles. Here she created safe spaces for healing, connection and self-discovery. One of her greatest joys was founding More than Conquerors, a group for under-resourced youth that offered alternatives to gang life through engagement in a travelling drama troupe, cross cultural experiences and service initiatives— including house building projects in Mexico. Later, she partnered with Haitian leaders to establish clean water projects and seed fund local businesses in Hai@ following the 2010 earthquake.
Her daily work comprises mindfulness coaching and motivational speaking via virtual and in-person workshops on healthy living, stress management and engaged communication. With a bachelor’s degree in Psychology and a master’s in Clinical Social Work—along with experience inresearch and relief work—she brings a unique perspective to helping people to heal, overcome adversity and reach their highest potential. Her work as a psychotherapist in community mental health and private practice has shaped her trauma informed lens to people’s struggles.
Hello
My name is Jane, and I will be delighted to become a Mitra on 3rd May!
I was first involved with the FWBO in London in the 1990s, but have been involved more deeply with Triratna for about the last 4 years, attending both the Brighton Buddhist Centre and the London Buddhist Centre, and practising and learning online.
I have been very influenced by the teachings of Tejananda, Jnanavaca, Maitreyabandhu and Paramananda. Currently I'm inspired by Bodhipaksa's 'The Heart's Awakening' with his emphasis that we are all 'doing a difficult thing in being human'. I find this hugely validating, and his emphasis on kindness towards ourselves and others I think is both essential and profound. Living with the Dharma has helped me to appreciate better my kinship with all living things, and I sense my place within the natural world more clearly.
I moved to Brighton 14 years ago with my wife Shana and our cats Noni and Roo. I have worked in the NHS as a therapist for 25 years, most recently with children and young people, which I really love. We think that Brighton is a special place to live, and I am very happy to be a member of the Brighton Sangha.
Hello my name is Joy
I’ve been coming regularly to the Buddhist Centre for around 3 yrs. I participated in many courses, here and online ,and attend drop in meditations particularly Thursdays and Saturdays and enjoy the monthly Women’s Circle and GSRD group . I practice daily at home. I have made many new friends and have been very inspired by the teachers and the teachings. It has changed and enriched my life and I am ready to become a Mitra.
I was born in Bethnal Green 70 years ago.
I have always had deep love of the natural world and animals, and also for music and creative arts. I’m fortunate to have spent my working life deeply immersed in these areas.
From my late teens in Bristol for 20 years as a musician and community arts facilitator working and setting up many diverse groups. I was also very active in the Gay and Women’s movement and was involved in touring theatre to educate , inform and celebrate.
I then moved to rural Cornwall with my life partner Alison and our dogs, and by happy accident retrained as Countryside Ranger and spent almost 20 years working in the wonderful countryside and coasts of Cornwall, conserving it’s environment, protecting and promoting its wildlife.
I have a deep love of the natural world, and get into the countryside as much as I can, and have recently rediscovered my love of painting .
I’ve been around the block a few times, and all roads have led me here.
I am confident, excited, curious, inspired and happy to explore the path ahead. I feel like I’m coming home.
With metta Joy