Shows
BRN Podcast: Buddhist Recovery NetworkFrom War to Wisdom: A Journey of Sobriety and Spirituality Claude AnShin Thomas on RecoveryJoin Kevin Griffin and Claude AnShin Thomas as they delve into the profound intersections of sobriety and spirituality. In this episode, Claude shares his transformative journey from a Vietnam veteran to a Zen Buddhist monk, highlighting the essential role of spiritual practice in recovery. Discover how the teachings of the Dharma and the 12-step program intertwine to offer healing and growth, and explore the power of mindfulness in overcoming personal struggles. Tune in for an inspiring conversation about finding peace amidst life's challenges.To Connect With Claude AnShin Thomas: https://www.zaltho.org/2025-08-0850 min
The Gay Buddhist Forum by GBFDealing with Subtle Forms of Suffering - VimalasaraHow can we bring mindful awareness to our patterns of subtle dissatisfaction that are also a form of Dukkha? Here, Vimalasara delves into the Buddhist concept of dukkha (suffering), exploring how our habitual reactions to both pleasant and unpleasant experiences can entangle us in cycles of suffering. She emphasizes that dukkha isn't just about overt pain but also includes our resistance to life's impermanence and unpredictability. Vimalasara suggests we can begin to untangle them, fostering a deeper sense of ease and presence in our lives.Vimalasara outlines practical approaches to work wit...2025-03-0955 min
Tricycle TalksUprooting Harmful Habits with Valerie (Vimalasara) Mason-JohnValerie (Vimalasara) Mason-John is a senior teacher in the Triratna Buddhist Community, and their work focuses on how Buddhist teachings can support a sustainable path to recovery. In their new book, First Aid Kit for the Mind: Breaking the Cycle of Habitual Behaviors, they lay out practical tools for uprooting harmful habits, building emotional resilience, and reconnecting with our bodies.In this episode of Tricycle Talks, Tricycle’s editor-in-chief, James Shaheen, sits down with Mason-John to talk about how they first developed a practice of meditation after their experience in solitary confinement, how the Buddha’s teachings have...2025-02-2646 min
The Gifts of TraumaExploring Triggers, Pain and Shame with Vimalasara Mason-JohnHosted and Produced by J’aime Rothbard. SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT: Click here to apply for the February, 2025 Compassionate Inquiry®️ Professional Training. You will find all relevant information about the year long program and locate the application form. Applications close on December 15. https://online.compassionateinquiry.com/a/2147834397/7NaWFv9i Throughout this interview, Vimalasara speaks of mindfulness, compassion and vulnerability in the healing of trauma and transformation of negative self-perceptions. They open this deep, candid conversation with a demonstration of the "Breathing Space" - gently gathering then expanding the breath throughout the body. Experience firsthand how this p...2024-11-2854 min
The Gifts of TraumaEpisode Teaser with Vimalsara (Valerie) Mason-JohnProduced by J'aime Rothbard In this teaser episode, we introduce you to Dr. Valerie (Vimalasara) Mason-John, M.A. (hon.doc) a Compassionate Inquiry faciltator, keynote speaker, mindfulness speaker, meditation speaker and master trainer in the field of conflict transformation, leadership and mindfulness. They are the co-founder of Mindfulness-Based Addiction Recovery (referenced in the show as MBAR), and Co-Founder of Eight Step Recovery, an alternative to the 12-step program for addiction with recovery meetings in 3 continents. They are the author of eleven books -- the most recent is titled First Aid Kit for the Mind : Breaking the Cycle...2024-10-1703 min
Sounds of SAND#99 Addiction & Trauma: Dr. Vimalasara (Valerie) Mason-JohnDr. Vimalasara (Valerie) Mason-John M.A. (Hon.Doc), is a founding facilitator of Compassionate Inquiry, and is the author of 10 books, including the award winning book, “Eight Step Recovery: Using The Buddha’s Teachings to Overcome Addiction” and “Detox Your Heart: Meditations for Emotional Trauma”. There are 8 Step Recovery meetings held in several continents. And they are co-founder of the training program, Mindfulness Based Addiction Recovery (MBAR), which is delivered in both English and Spanish. They work as a public speaker in the field of Mindfulness for Addiction and Trauma. They work online and in person between Canada, USA, UK and Spa...2024-09-0556 min
Food Junkies PodcastEpisode 186: DR. VIMALASARA (VALERIE) MASON-JOHN M.A (HON.DOC)DR. VIMALASARA also known as (VALERIE) MASON-JOHN M.A (HON.DOC) to the show. Vimalasara is a founding facilitator of Compassionate Inquiry, and is the author of 10 books, including the award winning book, “Eight Step Recovery: Using The Buddha’s Teachings to Overcome Addiction” and “Detox Your Heart: Meditations for Emotional Trauma”. There are 8 Step Recovery meetings held in several continents. And they are co-founder of the training program, Mindfulness Based Addiction Recovery (MBAR), which is delivered in both English and Spanish. They work as a public speaker in the field of Mindfulness for Addiction and Trauma. They also work onlin...2024-07-1851 min
Sisters In SobrietyMindful Recovery: Buddhist Teachings and Sobriety with VimalasaraIn this episode of "Sisters in Sobriety," host Sonia Kahlon is joined by the inspiring Valerie Mason-John, also known as Vimalasara. Valerie is a renowned author and public speaker whose work in the field of addiction and recovery has made a profound impact. Today, Sonia explores Valerie's unique approach to addiction recovery, which blends mindfulness, compassion, and holistic practices. They will be discussing Valerie’s journey, their groundbreaking methodologies, and how these can help listeners on their own sobriety journeys.Valerie Mason-John (Vimalasara) is the author of several acclaimed books, including "Eight Step Recovery: Using the Buddha’s Te...2024-07-0151 min
The Windhorse Publications PodcastA First Aid Kit for the Mind - Valerie (Vimalasara) Mason-JohnToday, Dhammamegha speaks with award winning author and speaker Valerie (Vimalasara) Mason John about their soon-to-be-released pocketbook First Aid Kit for the Mind: Breaking the Cycle of Habitual Behaviours.
We hear about Vimalasara’s life and writing, and the deep well of experience through trauma and addiction recovery and mindfulness. They speak from the heart about all the tools to connect what you already have to live more embodied, skilful and free. These tools are all laid out in this small, illustrated, easy-to-use guide to healing the mind.
Order First Aid Kit for the Mind on...2024-04-2828 min
High Energy Health PodcastBuddhism and Meditation: Valerie Mason-John and Dawson Church in ConversationValerie (Vimalasara) Mason-John, is a public speaker and master trainer in the field of conflict transformation, leadership and mindfulness. Valerie is also the author of ten books including I Am Still Your Negro, Eight Step Recovery: Using The Buddha’s Teachings to Overcome Addiction, and First Aid Kit for the Mind. She is the Co-Founder of Eight Step Recovery, an alternative to the 12-step program for addiction.
Here Valerie and Dawson dialog about:
Valerie’s story
Remembering that we are not separate
When you stop resisting you go into the present
How do you accept the unac...2024-04-1746 min
Flourishing After Addiction with Carl Erik FisherA Buddhist Approach to Compulsive Eating, Food Addiction, and Emotional Sobriety, with Valerie Mason-JohnValerie Mason-John (Vimalasara) is a writer, Buddhist teacher, a person in recovery, and the founder of Eight Step Recovery. In this episode of Flourishing After Addiction, Vimalasara shares their transformative journey, beginning with childhood in an orphanage and evolving through various addictions, with a particular focus on their struggle with bulimia, to arrive at their current role as a spiritual teacher and author. Their story is a testament to the complexity of eating disorders and their commonalities with traditional addictions, with implications for all varieties of compulsive behavior.Through probing the nature of compulsive eating, Vimalasara describes...2023-11-1556 min
Sun & Moon Sober Living Podcast#78: Buddhist Teachings to Overcome Addiction with Valerie (Vimalasara) Mason-JohnIn this episode:Vimalasara’s recovery journeyThe relationship between sexual trauma and eating disordersMindfulness training for recoveryNervous system regulationEight Step Recovery: Using the Buddha's teachings to overcome additionBeing of service in recoveryThe Hungry Ghost Advice for those still strugglingPoet, author, and public speaker Valerie Mason-John (Vimalasara) is the award-winning author/editor of ten books. Their debut novel, Borrowed Body, won the 2006 Mind Book of the Year Award. They co-authored the award-winning book Eight Step Recovery: Using the Buddha’s Teachings to Overcome Addiction. And authored Detox Your Heart Meditations for Emotional Trauma. They are one of the f...2023-10-1653 min
No Thanks But YesS2/E20: Valerie (Vimalasara) Mason-John – Joy!In this lovely season finale, join me as I sit down with the remarkable Valerie (Vimalasara) Mason-John, a co-founder of Eight Step Recovery, an alternative to the 12-step program for addiction and a founding facilitator of Compassionate Inquiry. With 10 books to their credit, including the best-selling & award-winning Eight Step Recovery: Using The Buddha’s Teachings to Overcome Addiction and Detox Your Heart: Meditations for Emotional Trauma, Valerie has helped countless people to find freedom and wellness from chaotic relationships with substances & behaviors. We delve into the profound concept of recovery as an empowering journey towards uncovering authentic joy, and Va...2023-07-1021 min
Shuvra Deb: With You20. Celebrating Diversity: The Impacts of Social Exclusion on Mental HealthToday’s show is about the impacts of social exclusion on mental health and why diversity should be celebrated. I will discuss the toll of exclusion on the grounds of race and of gender. One of the ways I propose in which we may be more socially inclusive, is by refusing to “other” another due to feeling threatened by another’s differences. Instead, if we hold an unshakeable self-belief, nothing can threaten us. I suggest ways in which we may all build self-belief. These include finding out what we are good at by taking the DiSC Test, eliminatin...2023-04-1150 min
Effortless Mindfulness with Loch KellyOvercoming Addiction with Valerie (Vimalasara) Mason-JohnLoch and Valerie (Vimalasara) Mason-John, a leading voice in mindfulness and addiction recovery, dive deep into a discussion about relieving "perpetual dissatisfaction" through Buddhist teachings and the expansive ground of awake consciousness. Dr. Valerie (Vimalasara) Mason-John, M.A (hon.doc) has been practicing mindfulness for over 30 years and is one of the leading African-descent voices in the field of mindfulness and addiction. They is the award-winning author of 10 books, and the co-author and co-founder of Eight Step Recovery: Using The Buddha’s Teaching to Overcome Addiction. Valerie — also known as Vimalasara — was ordained into the Triratna Buddhist Communi...2023-02-0853 min
Banyen Books ~ Branches of WisdomEpisode 129: Dr. Valerie Mason-John - Afrikan Wisdom@BanyenBooks joins Valerie Mason-John (Vimalasara) for a conversation on her book, 'Afrikan Wisdom' — spiritual, political, and interdisciplinary anthology of wisdom stories from Black liberation leaders and teachers.
Vimalasara is an accredited Life Coach and Addictions Coach. They are also one of the founding facilitators of Dr Gabor Mate’s Compassionate Inquiry CI course. They are trained in both CI and Internal Family Systems IFS, and work as a Mindfulness Coach to help liberate people from the prison of their minds. They are ordained into the Triratna Community, and have been practising Buddhism for over 30 years.2023-01-1059 min
The Windhorse Publications PodcastThe Dharma of overcoming addiction – an interview with VimalasaraIt’s always good news when one of our books starts selling well. But in this case, the popularity of Eight Step Recovery: Using the Buddha’s Teachings to Overcome Addiction points to the rise of compulsive and addictive behaviour and thought over lockdown and beyond. Dhammamegha sat down to talk with the book’s co-author, Valerie Mason-John (Buddhist Order name Vimalasara).
Perhaps you’re aware of compulsion in yourself or others? In this podcast, Vimalasara and Dhammamegha talk about ‘stinking thinking’ and the difficult and beautiful path to sobriety of thoughts and feelings, putting something positive and wholesome...2022-09-1344 min
Consciousness Explorers PodcastAddiction & Self-Compassion with Valerie Mason-JohnToday we’re joined by the UK-based Valerie Mason-John, also known as Vimalasara, a leader in the field of mindfulness for addiction and trauma.This episode is about the ways we get disconnected from our bodies and our lives, and the role self-compassion can play in bringing us home. We explore this in the context of our addictions – even addictions we don’t realize are addictions, like, in Vimalasara’s words, “stinking thinking” and technology. And we explore it in the context of contemporary challenges like coronavirus, and the institutional racism and violence directed to Black bodies. For...2022-04-1452 min
Unpause Your LifeEP064: Dr. Valerie Mason-John – Mindfulness-Based Addiction RecoveryToday’s episode is a powerhouse of recovery stories from myself and my guest, and loads of recovery wisdom too. Don’t miss this one!Dr. Valerie (Vimalasara) Mason-John M.A (hon.doc) is the award-winning author of 8 books, including Eight Step Recovery, Using The Buddha’s teachings to overcome Addiction, and there are 8 step recovery meetings in several continents.She is also the author of Detox Your Heart – Meditations for Emotional Trauma.In 2005 she co-founded the eight weeks course Mindfulness-Based Addiction Recovery MBAR. This is either a 4 weeks intensive course online or two hours a...2021-10-2944 min
The Gay Buddhist Forum by GBF8-Step Recovery - VimalasaraIn this question/response session, Vimalasara highlights the 8-Step Recovery Program, consisting of:1. Accepting that this human life will bring suffering2. Seeing how we create extra suffering in our lives3. Recognizing impermanence shows us that our suffering can end4. Being willing to step onto the path of recovery, and discover freedom5. Transforming our speech, actions, and livelihood6. Placing positive values at the center of our lives7. Making every effort to stay on the path of recovery8. Helping others to share the benefits I have gained____________ Dr. Vimalasara (Valerie) Mason-John M...2021-07-1156 min
Creatively ExposedI Am Still Your Negro ft Dr.Valerie Mason-JohnToday is a profound interview on Mindfulness, Black Queerness, Buddhism and recovery. We discuss her new book titled “I Am Still Your Negro.” Dr. Valerie (Vimalasara) Mason-John is a public speaker, mindfulness teacher, author and the co- founder of Eight Step Recovery.Check her website to learn more about her and her work https://www.valeriemason-john.com/--- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/lyszflo/messageSupport this podcast: https://anchor.fm/lyszflo/support2021-01-1846 min
Blissful ThinkingVimalasara Mason-John - "Life is to be of Service"This week's guest is Vimalasara (Valerie) Mason-John, an award winning author of 9 books, including her most timely book published this year I'm Still Your Negro, An Homage to James Baldwin. She is the co-founder of the accredited program Mindfulness Based Addiction Recovery MBAR and of Eight Step Recovery, an alternative and addition to the 12 step recovery meetings. She is one of the leading African Descent voices in the field of mindfulness approaches for addiction. Ordained into the Triratna Buddhist Community, she is a senior teacher in her lineage, and works as a lead facilitator and practitioner in the fie...2020-08-161h 26
Live Your RAW LifeLive Your RAW Life~ Episode #16 | Healing Yourself To Heal The World With Rebecca Llewellyn“How it’s unique. Like each person is so unique, what is going to work for one is not going to work for another. And the other key component is they have to be willing to do it (the work). I mean, you know, if you are just showing up because you think it’s the right thing to do, you just have to be committed to the journey. There is no magic bullet, right? This IS the marathon, not the sprint.”In this week’s episode, Rachel is joined by Rebecca Llewellyn. They discuss how their...2020-07-0959 min
Insight Meditation South Bay - Silicon Valley: Valerie Mason-John (Vimalasara)'s most recent Dharma talksValerie Mason-John (Vimalasara): pm04-reflections on heart sutra and concluding the day(New York Insight Meditation Center) background noise at the end2019-10-1950 minInsight Meditation South Bay - Silicon Valley: Valerie Mason-John (Vimalasara)'s most recent Dharma talksValerie Mason-John (Vimalasara): am04-share-after metta practice edning with chant(New York Insight Meditation Center) some noise in background - new york, new york2019-10-1926 minInsight Meditation South Bay - Silicon Valley: Valerie Mason-John (Vimalasara)'s most recent Dharma talksValerie Mason-John (Vimalasara): pm03-chanting the heart sutra(New York Insight Meditation Center)2019-10-1927 minInsight Meditation South Bay - Silicon Valley: Valerie Mason-John (Vimalasara)'s most recent Dharma talksValerie Mason-John (Vimalasara): pm02-triad group share 'who built the house'(New York Insight Meditation Center)2019-10-1913 minInsight Meditation South Bay - Silicon Valley: Valerie Mason-John (Vimalasara)'s most recent Dharma talksValerie Mason-John (Vimalasara): am03-guided-metta-meditation(New York Insight Meditation Center) some noise in background - new york, new york2019-10-1932 minInsight Meditation South Bay - Silicon Valley: Valerie Mason-John (Vimalasara)'s most recent Dharma talksValerie Mason-John (Vimalasara): am02-reflections on metta pratice(New York Insight Meditation Center)2019-10-1912 minInsight Meditation South Bay - Silicon Valley: Valerie Mason-John (Vimalasara)'s most recent Dharma talksValerie Mason-John (Vimalasara): pm01-brief intro to anapanasati-1st tetrad+guided-meditation(New York Insight Meditation Center)2019-10-1923 minInsight Meditation South Bay - Silicon Valley: Valerie Mason-John (Vimalasara)'s most recent Dharma talksValerie Mason-John (Vimalasara): am01-introduction to day and chanting(New York Insight Meditation Center)2019-10-191h 15
Unpause Your Life64: Dr. Valerie Mason-John – Mindfulness-Based Addiction RecoveryToday’s episode is a powerhouse of recovery stories from myself and my guest, and loads of recovery wisdom too. Don’t miss this one!Dr. Valerie (Vimalasara) Mason-John M.A (hon.doc) is the award-winning author of 8 books, including Eight Step Recovery, Using The Buddha’s teachings to overcome Addiction, and there are 8 step recovery meetings in several continents.She is also the author of Detox Your Heart – Meditations for Emotional Trauma.In 2005 she co-founded the eight weeks course Mindfulness-Based Addiction Recovery MBAR. This is either a 4 weeks intensive course online or two hours a...2019-06-0644 min
BRN Podcast: Buddhist Recovery NetworkBRN #6. Vimalasara ❖ What’s Race, Gender, Skin Color, & Sexuality got to do with Non-Self?Exploring one of the seminal text in the Buddhist teachings -‘ Non-Self’. Paraphrasing the late Pat Parker – she once wrote ‘first you remember I’m a person of color and second you forget I’m a person of color’. What would it be like to be free from all our labels and not attached to the identities we give ourselves and identities forced upon us? Join senior teachers Shahara Godfrey – Vimalasara (Valerie) Mason-John for a day of meditation, dharma talks and compassionate inquiry._____________________________________🗺️Need a Meeting? 👉buddhistrecovery.org/meetingsThelargest, up-to-date, comprehensiveBuddhist recovery meeting list.Hundreds of meetings across various Buddhist programs. (Both Onl...2019-03-1840 min
BRN Podcast: Buddhist Recovery NetworkBRN #2. Vimalasara ❖ Coming Home to the Body, Reclaiming the Birthright of the BodySupport BRNhttps://www.buddhistrecovery.org/donateImagine not being able to find your way home to your loved one’s, to your friends and family. Imagine how traumatic this would be. And this is the same trauma we experience when we have split from our body and can not find our way back into the body. We have to find our way back home to our body if we want freedom from the prison of our minds.The Buddha was teaching us to breathe through the body, feelings, mental formation and all mind objects with ca...2019-02-0845 min
The MindThatEgo Podcast#4: Eight Step Recovery with Valerie Mason-JohnRicky is joined by Valerie Mason-John (a.k.a Vimalasara), an award winning author, public speaker, and co-founder of Eight Step Recovery.
The structure of the discussion is based on her book, Eight Step Recovery: Using the Buddha's Teachings to Overcome Addiction.
Expanding on the Four Noble Truths, Valerie (and co-author Dr. Paramabandhu Groves) distill ancient wisdom to create a practical approach to tackle addiction. These steps are:
- Step One: Accepting human life will bring suffering.
- Step Two: Seeing how we create extra suffering.
- Step Three: Embracing impermanence to show us suffering can end.
- Step Four: Bei...2018-10-071h 12
KPFA - Talk-It-Out RadioCraving and the End of CravingBuddhism teaches that craving is the cause of suffering. Certainly when we abuse drugs, alcohol, food, sex or other substances or behaviors we create suffering for ourselves and others and are not the most effective in making the world a better place for all. Host Marlena Willis talks with Valerie Mason-John, also known as Vimalasara, who herself used the Buddha’s teachings to overcome addiction. She shares her experience with others on how Buddhism can support recovery.
Vimalasara (Valerie) Mason-John co-authored the award-winning book Eight Step Recovery – Using the Buddha’s Teachings to Overcome Addiction. She is presid...2018-09-2335 minKPFA - Talk-It-Out RadioA Buddhist Perspective on Addiction RecoveryIn order to be happy and productive in making the world a better place, we need to be free of the ways we avoid and numb out using alcohol, drugs and other behaviors. Many have been helped by the 12-step programs but many do not resonate with these God-centered programs. Host Marlena Willis talks with Vimilasara (Valerie) Mason-John, co-author of the award-winning book Eight Step Recovery – Using the Buddha’s Teachings to Overcome Addiction, and Shahara Godfrey, core teacher at the East Bay Meditation Center, who has initiated events there for people in addiction recovery center programs.
Vima...2018-04-2217 minInsight Meditation South Bay - Silicon Valley: Valerie Mason-John (Vimalasara)'s most recent Dharma talksValerie Mason-John (Vimalasara): Eight Step Recovery(Insight Meditation South Bay - Silicon Valley) Vimalasara talks about her book (co-authored with Dr. Paramabandho Groves) Eight Step Recovery: Using the Buddha’s Teachings to Overcome Addiction.
We can’t avoid suffering if we open our eyes to it. Suffering is all around us. However, freedom from suffering is in front of our eyes too. Some of us, who realize our difficult human predicament, reach a crisis and turn to a spiritual path, faith or religion to deal with the shock. Others turn to an addiction for answers to the meaning of life. Vimalasara speaks to the pain all bein...2014-06-1741 minInsight Meditation South Bay - Silicon Valley: Valerie Mason-John (Vimalasara)'s most recent Dharma talksValerie Mason-John (Vimalasara): Guided Meditation: The Four Basic Needs of the Heart(Insight Meditation South Bay - Silicon Valley)2014-06-1737 min
The Gay Buddhist Forum by GBFDealing with Depression and Anger - Padmadharini and VimalasaraPadmadharini has practiced in the tradition of the Friends of the Western Buddhist Order (FWBO) since 1989 and was ordained into the Western Buddhist Order (WBO) in 2004. She is actively involved in the spiritual direction of the San Francisco Buddhist Center, where she teaches meditation and leads Dharma courses. Dr. Vimalasara (Valerie) Mason-John MA (hon. doc) is a senior teacher in the Triratna Buddhist Community. She is the award-winning author of 9 books, including her most recently published in 2020 "I'm Still Your Negro: An Homage to James Baldwin," and is currently editing an anthology "Afrikan Wisdom: Black Liberation, Buddhism, and Beyond" published i...2006-08-2752 min