Amana Brembry Johnson has been a student and practitioner of multiple spiritual traditions throughout her life. Her journey of Vipassana practice and study began over 10 years ago as a result of the early People of Color Retreats offered at Spirit Rock Meditation Center. She completed the Community Dharma Leaders Program at Spirit Rock in 2017 and is currently a participant in the groundbreaking Spirit Rock Teacher Training Program (SRTT). Amana leads meditation and teaches contemplative yoga that interweaves the wisdom of the Dharma with movement. She mentors and coaches practitioners who wish to deepen their practice and understanding of the ancient wisdom teachings. An accomplished visual artist, Amana creates imagery that exposes emotional and spiritual barriers of the heart as gateways into kindness, compassion and self-love.
Our world is on fire and in desperate need of compassion and care. Lovingkindness frees the heart so that compassion can arise. Compassion gifts us the courage to be moved by suffering, and to move towards it rather than away from it. When we meet suffering the journey towards liberation begins.
Awareness of the feeling tone of Vedana can lead to liberation from the proliferation of stories that imprison us in a state of discomfort and suffering.
Courage and compassion are two dancers, perfectly paired to support each other to the rhythm and melody of loving kindness. It is a fiercely courageous heart that can withstand the many hindrances that arise when opening the heart to tenderness and compassion in the face of adversity.
