Today we’d like to introduce you to Bobbie Perkins.
Bobbie, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
My journey to the Dallas Meditation Center probably began sometime in the 1970’s when I began to explore spiritual traditions that were different from my Baptist roots. I’ve always been curious. always loved learning and always been eager to broaden my understanding of a wide range of interests. The search for spiritual meaning and connection was a major interest for me in the 70″s so I began reading a variety of authors from different faith traditions. There was BE HERE NOW by Ram Das, books by Emmett Fox and Ernest Holmes from the New Thought perspective and Alan Watts with his books and lectures on Zen Buddhism – among others.
I felt the most affinity for the Zen Buddhist perspective but I don’t think there were any Buddhist in Baytown, Texas at that time. Remember, this was before the internet, meetup, google and such. If there were any Buddhist in Baytown in the 70’s, they were probably very quiet about it so as to not arouse the suspicion of their neighbors. Since I didn’t have a community to learn from or practice with, I did my best on my own.
My husband, daughter and I moved to Dallas in 1975. It was a big change from Baytown, but I still didn’t know any Buddhists so I continued my solitary practice which suffered from the demands of work and being a mom and a wife. Life began to change as I got to know people and made friends. I taught in the Dallas school district for a number of years. After I retired from teaching, I learned about the new Dallas Meditation Center from a friend who rented office space there. She invited me to help paint the new space and that was my introduction to my first Buddhist community.
I began working at Dallas Meditation Center in 2011 as personal assistant to Brother ChiSing, the Spiritual Director. Working with him and being at the Center everyday really gave me the opportunity to learn more about Buddhist teachings, meditate daily and deepen my practice. I also was privileged to be in retreat with Thich Nhat Hanh in 2011 and 2013. Those experiences inspired me to become an aspirant for the Order of Interbeing. I was ordained into the Order of Interbeing in October, 2017.
My current position as Executive Director of the Dallas Meditation Center came about because of the unfortunate and untimely death of Brother ChiSing in 2016. In 2015, our building on Floyd Rd. in Richardson was sold and we rented space at CSL Dallas until we were able to find our current home at 810 W. Arapaho in Richardson. After an extensive renovation, we moved into the new Dallas Meditation Center in April, 2017, where we continue to grow and offer a peaceful, welcoming refuge to all.
Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
The road as been mostly smooth. Any struggles have just contributed to my ability to maintain an inner sense of well-being – a bit like strength training for the body. First, we stress the body a bit and then allow the body to recover. Adversity strengthens my ability to find my balance and make the best choice about how to proceed.
Please tell us about Dallas Meditation Center.
The Dallas Meditation Center (DMC) offers a wide variety of classes and events that promote personal well-being as well as connection to a loving community. There is always something interesting happening at DMC. We are also happy to provide in-house mindfulness and meditation training to businesses, schools and other organizations.
DMC is a unique non-profit entity in that most of our classes and events are offered on a donation basis. It is important to us that meditation and mindfulness training is accessible to everyone regardless of their financial situation. We are also unique because we are:
– Interfaith – welcoming people from all faith traditions or no faith tradition.
– Inclusive – welcoming all people with no discrimination.
– Inspired – sharing teachings and practices that inspire others to live mindfully and be well.
Visit our website, www.DallasMeditationCenter.com, to learn more about Zen To Go meditation, Tai Chi classes, Yoga/Meditation events, Drum Circle, Beginner’s Meditation Workshop, Musical events and much more.
Do you look back particularly fondly on any memories from childhood?
My favorite childhood memory revolves around the blue bike I got for Christmas when I was probably 8 or 9 years old. That bike was freedom to explore places in my neighborhood and even across town. I was able to go see friends that were not within walking range because I could ride my bike. I even learned basic bicycle maintenance – thanks to my two brothers who loved to take things apart and were actually pretty good at putting them back together. We had a lot of fun on our bikes.
Pricing:
- Beginner’s Meditation Workshop – $60.00 for 1 person or $100.00 for 2 persons
Contact Info:
- Address: 810 W. Arapaho, Ste. 98
Richardson, TX 75080 - Website: www.DallasMeditationCenter.com
- Phone: 972-432-7871
- Email: info@dallasmeditationcenter .com
- Facebook: Dallas Meditation Center
Image Credit:
First photo is me and my co-director, Cornell Kinderknecht. He is the Operations Director at DMC.
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