Robert Beatty Meditation

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Robert Beatty Meditation

Robert Beatty is one of the early Theravada Buddhist teachers who introduced Insight Meditation and Mindfulness to the West in the 1970s. His teaching approach focuses on meeting individuals exactly where they are in their journey, combining Buddhist meditation practices with Western psychotherapy. Over the years, he has guided thousands of students, helping them incorporate mindfulness and meditation into their daily lives. His unique teaching style integrates meditation with humor, music, poetry, and movement, allowing others to face challenges with a compassionate and open heart.

The teachings of several influential teachers have shaped Robert’s path. He studied under a prominent teacher for over four decades, eventually being authorized to teach within the Burmese Buddhist tradition in 1982. He also explored non-dual spirituality and practiced in Burma, where he took novice ordination. His studies continued in India, where he worked with several teachers who deepened his understanding of Buddhist practices.

After earning his BSc in Psychology and Chemistry from McGill University, Robert embarked on a journey of self-discovery, living and working in several countries, including Australia and Switzerland. His life changed when he attended a Buddhist meditation retreat in 1972, which inspired him to ordain as a monk in India. However, due to health concerns, he returned to Canada, where he began blending Western psychotherapy with Buddhist meditation—a theme that would shape much of his later work.

Upon returning to Canada, Robert pursued a Master’s in Environmental Studies, focusing on humans' environmental impact and how people can live harmoniously with nature. During this time, he also encountered Western psychotherapy, which had a lasting influence on his approach to meditation and emotional well-being.

In 1979, Robert moved to Portland, Oregon, where he earned a Master of Social Work degree. He worked in addiction treatment and later transitioned to hospice care, providing emotional and psychological support to individuals and families facing illness and death. In 1980, he founded a meditation group called the Portland Insight Meditation Community. Under his leadership, the community grew, acquiring a dedicated space for meditation classes and retreats. In 2024, Robert stepped down from his leadership role to focus on individual teaching and consultations. Robert is the author of Mindfulness for a Happy Life: New Teachings of an Old Tradition for Today's World. Meditation has helped countless individuals overcome emotional and psychological challenges throughout their careers. His teachings have reached thousands through classes, residential retreats, and conferences in the Pacific Northwest and Western Canada.

Robert continues to offer individual consultations and teachings in meditation, Buddhist psychology, and emotional well-being. For more information about his work, please visit his website.

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