This yellow building atop a hill in the hood where I’m from represents resiliency, peacefulness and innovation.
Born and raised in the Raleigh-Frayser area, I attended Scenic Hills Elementary, Raleigh Egypt High School and graduated from Christian Brothers University. After college, a short corporate career and a few entrepreneurial ADVENTURES on the West coast, in 2014, I joined Pema Karpo Meditation Center.
I connected with the center to heal my anxiety and depression using sitting meditation, mindfulness and dharma insight. Through these practices, I’ve reduced my anxiety and stress; calmed my depression; learned more about compassion, peace and love; and am now a Certified Mindfulness for Educators Instructor.
Pema Karpo Meditation Center is a mindfulness-haven in the middle of an urban neighborhood known for crime—Raleigh-Frayser. Lead by Khenpo Gawanga, a Tibetan Monk, spiritual director, and author of Your Mind Is Your Teacher, Pema Karpo is a dynamic asset that adds positivity to the community by unifying and encouraging residents from Raleigh, Frayser and Bartlett to practice compassion, peace and learn dharma ancient wisdom.
On the outside, Pema is a little, yellow pocket of light with an interior full of decorative mandalas and a gift shop selling books, mindfulness flash cards, incense and bead bracelets. The center has an inclusive and diverse culture, warm and inviting East Asian ambiance and attracts a great flow of beginner-to-expert meditation, mindfulness and yoga practitioners. This yellow building atop a hill in the hood where I’m from represents resiliency, peacefulness and innovation. As the Khenpo would say “All Is Invited.”
Bryant Williams is a proud Memphian and Christian Brothers University graduate. He is a certified Peace In School’s Mindfulness for Educators Instructor, chairman of the Spencer Family Foundation, an assistant farmer and a Pema Karpo Meditation Center member.