Talking with Namchak Foundation about their unique “Compassion In Action” Fellows Program
In this video conversation, Namchak Foundation’s Jessica Larson and Marissa Fornaro speak to the Buddhadharma editorial team about their “Compassion in Action” Fellows Program and who can benefit from it.
What is “Compassion In Action”? Besides just a generally good-sounding idea, the “Compassion In Action” Fellows Program is the name of an initiative from the Montana-based Namchak Foundation, which describes it as a “year-long inner and outer change program that supports next-generation leaders in learning meditation practice, building community, and promoting social change.”
It’s a one-of-a-kind opportunity from Namchak, which is dedicated to Tibetan Buddhist practice and making the teachings newly accessible to Westerners. The Namchak Foundation’s Jessica Larson and Marissa Fornaro spoke to the Buddhadharma editorial team about the program and who can benefit from it.
The editors of Buddhadharma also spoke to participating Fellow Saulkdi Yangh, who just completed the program’s four-week “summer immersion” retreat, about what the experience has meant to him in this fun follow-up interview.
Rod Meade Sperry is the editor of Buddhadharma, Lion’s Roar’s online source for committed Buddhists, and the book A Beginner’s Guide to Meditation: Practical Advice and Inspiration from Contemporary Buddhist Teachers. He lives in Halifax, Nova Scotia, with his partner and their tiny pup, Sid.
Mariana Restrepo is deputy editor of Buddhadharma, Lion’s Roar’s online source for committed Buddhists. Born and raised in Colombia, Mariana has practiced in the Nyingma and Kagyu lineages of Tibetan Buddhism for more than 20 years. Her path has included time as a monastic, long-term retreat, and years of service within retreat centers and dharma organizations. She brings a deep commitment to integrating Buddhist principles into everyday life—especially in the context of parenting and community building.
Mariana holds a Master’s degree in Religious Studies, has taught university-level courses on Buddhism and Indian religions, and has organized large-scale Buddhist events and pilgrimages. She is passionate about making Buddhist teachings accessible and relevant across languages and lived experiences. She also works with Middle Way Education, contributing to the development of their curricular framework, which helps to support Buddhist-inspired learning for children and families. She currently lives in the Appalachian Mountains of North Carolina with her husband and two children.
