“Real-life, positive effects” — What it’s like to join Namchak’s “Compassion In Action” Fellows program

Buddhadharma’s Rod Meade Sperry and Mariana Restrepo talk to Namchak Foundation “Compassion in Action” program Fellow Saulkdi Yangh about his experience with the program.

By Rod Meade Sperry

Mariana Restrepo
Buddhadharma

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Recently the editors of Buddhadharma spoke to folks at the Namchak Foundation about their Compassion in Action Fellows program, a year-long inner and outer change program for next-generation leaders. Now, as a fun follow-up we’re speaking to participating Fellow Saulkdi Yangh, who just completed the program’s four-week “summer immersion” retreat, about what the experience has meant to him.

Rod Meade Sperry. Photo by Megumi Yoshida, 2024

Rod Meade Sperry

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

Mariana Restrepo — formerly the deputy editor of Buddhadharma, Lion’s Roar’s online source for committed Buddhists — is the public engagement strategist for 84000, a nonprofit organization dedicated to translating the Tibetan Buddhist canon and making it freely accessible to all. Born and raised in Colombia, Mariana has practiced Tibetan Buddhism in the Nyingma and Kagyu lineages for over 20 years. Her path has included time as a monastic, periods of long-term retreat, and years of service within retreat centers and Dharma organizations. 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 brings deep commitment to integrating Buddhist principles into everyday life—especially in parenting and community building—and is passionate about making Buddhist teachings accessible and relevant across languages and lived experiences. She previously worked with Middle Way Education, helping develop its curricular framework for Buddhist-inspired learning with children and families. Mariana also served as deputy editor of Buddhadharma, associate editor at Lion’s Roar, and editor of El Camino del Buda, Lion’s Roar’s Spanish-language publication.