David R. Loy is a professor, writer, and Zen teacher in the Sanbo Zen tradition of Japanese Zen Buddhism. He is a prolific author who lectures nationally and internationally, focusing primarily on the encounter between Buddhism and modernity: what each can learn from the other. He is especially concerned about social and ecological issues. He also leads meditation retreats.

This retreat will combine the practice and study of metta, or loving friendliness meditation. The Buddha taught metta meditation to quell fear and anger, to promote harmonious relationships, and to purify the mind in concentration. The benefits of this practice touch every aspect of our lives.

We will draw from a handful of sources for our study, including suttas from the Pali canon and teachings from the Tibetan tradition on bodhichitta, the awakened heart. We'll also give attention to Western neuropsychology. Each of these contribute a distinctive strand of meaning to the fabric of this practice.

Venerable Dhammadinna took robes in 1983 in the Theravadin tradition. She moved to Burma with her teacher and remained in Asia for 21 years, studying with U Pandita Sayadaw and Ajahn Buddhadasa, among others. She has taught Buddhism and led meditation retreats in Thailand, England, India and the US.  In Dharamsala, His Holiness the Dali Lama accepted her as his personal student in 2000.  In 2006, she co-founded Bodhiheart Sangha Meditation Center in Seattle with Tenzin Jesse. Venerable Dhammadinna is deeply committed to the practices of samatha and vipassana meditation as shared by both the Theravada and Mahayana Buddhist traditions.

Tenzin Jesse began studying Tibetan Buddhism in 1993, practicing with teachers in the Gelug, Kagyu & Nyingma traditions. She has completed the 7-year Lama Tsong Khapa Master's Program, a traditional Buddhist monastic curriculum. In 2004, she moved to India to study with the Dalai Lama & received ordination there from His Holiness.  She returned to Seattle in 2006 and with Venerable Dhammadinna founded BodhiHeart Sangha, where she now teaches.