Nikki is of Persian heritage, and was introduced to contemplative practices and yoga in the early 1980's, to meditation in 1991, and to Theravada Buddhism in 2003. She has studied with various Western and Eastern teachers, with a keen interest in intensive silent retreats. She studied jhanas and detailed analytical vipassana with the renowned meditation master Venerable Pa Auk Sayadaw who instructed her to teach. She is also a Spirit Rock authorized retreat teacher, a Stanford trained compassion cultivation instructor, and a UCLA certified mindfulness facilitator. She teaches Buddhist meditation and contemplation nationally, and in particular, at Spirit Rock Meditation Center and Insight Meditation Center in Redwood City, where she also serves on their Board of Directors. Nikki holds a Ph.D. in computer science from UC Berkeley and has had an active career as an Artificial Intelligence scientist in academia and industry for over two decades.
What is the role of metta meditation in relationship to the Vipassana practice? How do we take the practice home? On the cushion? Daily he practice? What's the role of gratitude in embracing all of life
This talk introduces the four heavenly abodes (Brahma Viharas), their relationship to one another, they're near and far enemies and a range of motivations for practice. The second half of the talk is dedicated to the practice of compassion, the second of the four Brahma Viharas
