We recently connected with Kate ONeil and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, Kate thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Is there a heartwarming story from your career that you look back on?

When a wise Buddhist Nun calls you from her sickbed and tells you to go to Baltimore, you go to Baltimore! 2018 had been a challenging year, the love of my life died of cancer of the pancreas. I had been laid off and I was struggling. The one thing that helped me was attending Buddhist meditation classes in my home state of Connecticut. The resident teacher,Gen Khyenwang, was a wonderful Buddhist nun. The teachings and meditation helped keep my mind calm as my boyfriend’s health declined. I felt I was able to be there for him in a deep and profound way. She officiated at a special Buddhist blessing after he passed, called a Powa. Gen Khyenwang had her own health issues, so there were a few months when she was beridden. One day out of the blue she called me. She said there was a sponsored position as a chef at the World Peace Cafe at the Baltimore Temple. She knew I loved to cook and that I had been in the restaurant business for many years. She said “I think you should consider this” So as I said, when a wise Buddhist Nun calls you from her sickbed and tells you to go to Baltimore, you go to Baltimore! I enjoyed the job and my new city, but it wasn’t long before the position of Director was open and I was asked to take the position. Within weeks of me taking the position, the pandemic hit. Of all the places I could have landed during the pandemic, to live and work in a Buddhist Temple was truly a blessing. It was a time of great personal growth for me. I am inspired by such a blessing to share the benefits of these teachings and meditation with this beloved community

Kate, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

I have been a peace and social justice activist most of my life. I have worked in the nonprofit sector for over 30 years. Primarily in juvenile justice and nonviolence. I have served as a board member for organizations such as the Police Athletic League, supervised demonstrations with ACLU and founded a nonprofit organization in Connecticut for at-risk youth. What I discovered in the “fight for justice” is it was just that a “fight” and that mindset is prohibitive. Until we can approach justice with a peace and compassionate mind, we are at a stalemate. As Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr said “Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that” As the Director of Kadampa Meditation Center Maryland, I work to help people achieve a more peaceful mind through meditation and Buddhist teachings. I believe with a clear, peaceful and compassionate mind we can do great things and bring about true justice.

Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?

I was on the board of directors for the Police Athletic League in Connecticut. The boxing program was not popular with many on the board. It attracted kids who had scrapes with the law and was run by a rather ornery boxing coach. I wanted to see what was going on there before I voted on whether to end the program or not. The first time I walked into a boxing club I definitely felt out of place. These were some tough looking people. As I got to know them, I saw what attracted them to this fierce sport. It required discipline and respect. The coach worked these kids hard and did not coddle them. They respected him and the sport. These kids had tough lives. This was the only safe haven for most of them. Despite my new respect and advocacy for the program the Police Athletic League ended the program in that city. These kids had been let down by many in their lives, I wasn’t about to let them down again. That coach and I started our own nonprofit boxing club. That was 10 years ago. The club has since turned out world champions and several have gone on to be professional boxers. We started it with little money, but lots of determination.

If you could go back in time, do you think you would have chosen a different profession or specialty?

I honestly would not change a thing, not even the struggles. The struggles are especially what shapes us. Deciding to start a nonprofit with little to no resources had many challenges. Moving to a new city alone had its ups and downs. But you learn to persevere. It can be lonely and there are many times you wonder “what the hell am I doing?” It can seem that each small reward is followed by yet another challenge. However, somewhere along the way, you have renewed respect for yourself, you appreciate those who have helped you along the way and at the end of the day there is nothing like giving it your all.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.meditationmd.org
• Facebook: Kadampa Meditation Center-Maryland
• Twitter: @MeditationinMD