DiscoverUpaya Zen Center's Dharma PodcastInner Sangha: Healing and Transformation with the Life and Teachings of Larry Ward
Inner Sangha: Healing and Transformation with the Life and Teachings of Larry Ward

Inner Sangha: Healing and Transformation with the Life and Teachings of Larry Ward

Update: 2025-11-03
Share

Description

In this Wednesday Night Dharma Talk, Valerie Brown honors the life and legacy of Dr. Larry Ward, a pioneering African-American Dharma teacher in the Plum Village tradition. Valerie recounts Larry’s journey from his Baptist roots to his work with Thich Nhat Hanh and his creation of the first BIPOC retreat in North America, and shares his teaching on the “inner sangha”—a community of compassion and wisdom within. “It is really important to know who your core community is inside,” he taught, “just like we do externally with Sangha.” Reflecting on her own practice of healing, Valerie describes a moment of self-compassion when she wrapped her arms around herself and said, “I’m going to be with you. You are totally safe.” The talk closes with Ward’s encouragement: “A full and open heart of just one person is enough to change the world.”
Comments 
00:00
00:00
x

0.5x

0.8x

1.0x

1.25x

1.5x

2.0x

3.0x

Sleep Timer

Off

End of Episode

5 Minutes

10 Minutes

15 Minutes

30 Minutes

45 Minutes

60 Minutes

120 Minutes

Inner Sangha: Healing and Transformation with the Life and Teachings of Larry Ward

Inner Sangha: Healing and Transformation with the Life and Teachings of Larry Ward

Joan Halifax | Zen Buddhist Teacher Upaya Abbot