Testimonials

The series of enlightened Meditation Classes at La Mariposa has created for me a stronger mind and new world. Our leaders’ magnetic personalities, compassionate behaviors, and personal beauties appealed to all participants. They served as role models, resource librarians, and enthusiastic support personnel. Whatever each of us needed, they gave us. Each class had a detailed course outline, such as “Training the Mind: Meditation Basics.” I n addition they brought extra handouts. Each class showed careful research. The precise information came in sequence with organized presentation. I love learning and teaching and acquired two separate Masters Degrees in Literature and Counseling, perfect for teaching and understanding emotional and learning handicaps. This led me to a career as an Ex-Offender Representative and Prison Teacher, instructing and mentoring daily in both Ohio and Arizona State Prisons for twenty years. I’ve read scores of self-help books and spiritual scriptures. I searched for Masters and teachers throughout my life. I have been a college writing teacher for over twenty years, working to lift up, inspire, and help each student find his or her voice. In less than one year, Julia and Vira gave instruction, inspiration, love, and personal guidance that equaled the amount it took me forty years to achieve. They made happiness an achievable goal. And it all comes from within.
—Stephen B. Gladish, Author/Teacher

The training in meditation that I’ve learned in this lineage has allowed me to quit my anti-anxiety medication, change my eating habits to include healthy choices, increased my sense of well-being and confidence, be much more fully present for the college students I teach, and become an effective leader for the college programs I direct.
—Dr. Chere L. Peguesse, Professor, Valdosta State University

These Meditation Classes turned the lights on for me. Each class illuminates a concept that I am then able to apply to my own situation. When I am faced with a response to come from love or fear, I reach for love because of what I learn and practice in their classes. That choice represents freedom to me. My need to suffer is slowly relinquished and I experience a deep happiness and gratitude that remains with me. With their enlightened classes and presence, they have been instruments in my life changes. With the lights now on, I am hungry for the peace I see in them and I will follow their masterful leading.
—Betsy, Tucson, AZ

I have been doing meditation on and off for approximately eight years. About a year ago I started doing Meditation Practice Institute classes and the results have been life-changing for me. They not only taught the basics of meditation, which is what every meditation teacher out there has done for me, but they also taught me how to have control over my mind, which has empowered me and has changed my life in so many wonderful ways. I have had several situations recently that normally would have ruined by day. I not only kept my mind from going into the negative thought process, but was able to feel that I was able to control the situation with my mind and therefore able to turn it into a wonderful experience. I have told many friends about my mediation experience with this organization and have had them come to the classes. We all think that they are amazing teachers and would highly recommend them to everyone. They have definitely changed my life in an extremely positive way.
—Maria, Tucson, AZ

When I was first introduced to this lineage through a yoga philosophy course, meditation was emphasized as the only way to progress upon the spiritual path. Because I could see the results in the teachers, I proceeded to take a meditation course. That was three years ago. Since then, my life has taken on a magical quality beyond belief. No matter what twists and turns are in store, there is no turmoil
—Rene Miranda, MD

Meditation in this tradition has made me become more aware of the world; it has deepened my heart and has taught me to face my fears.
—Lama Thupten Pelma, Bowie, AZ

I first met Julia at La Mariposa during her first meditation class there. There was an instant connection, one of familiarity and bond. I teach a Yoga class right before the meditation class, so I thought: how perfect! What a nice way to start the morning, yoga then meditation. I studied with a Buddhist Monk years ago, but primarily in stillness meditation. What I have found with Julia and Vira's classes, in particular with the Lam Rim studies, are working meditations to provide us with tools to help in our day to day lives, to find a deeper peace and find the solutions to help us through the challenges we all face. The practice has helped me not only to become a better Yoga instructor, but revisiting the lessons of impermanence and staying in the moment, helped a great deal in getting through the difficulties of losing a parent. As I face other personal challenges, the practice lends strength in knowing that I am equipped to yield and bend to whatever comes my way. I feel blessed and grateful that our paths have crossed.
—Filomena, Tucson, AZ