The greatest gift is the
gift of the teachings
 
Cara Lai's Dharma Talks at Refuge of Belonging
Cara Lai
Cara Lai spent most of her life trying to figure out how to be happy, or at least avoid total misery, so she sat still with her eyes closed for the majority of her adulthood. Throughout many consciousness adventures including a few mind-bendingly long meditation retreats, she has explored the wilderness of the mind, chronic illness, the importance of pleasure, and lots of other things that she might get in trouble for mentioning here. In the past, Cara has worked as an artist, wilderness guide, social worker and psychotherapist, but at this point she’s given up on being an adult in exchange for an all-out mindfulness rampage. Her teaching is relatable, authentic, funny and sometimes crass, and is accessible for many people. She teaches teens and adults at Inward Bound Mindfulness Education, Spirit Rock, Insight Meditation Society, and UCLA; ultimately hoping to bend spoons with her mind. And to help people be happier.
2026-03-14 Renunciation as Freedom: Releasing the Self into Creativity and Care 23:22
When we loosen our grip on being someone — the creator, the author, the one who did that thing — something opens. This talk explores renunciation not as deprivation but as the doorway to creativity, purpose, and an open heart.
Refuge of Belonging

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