Today we’d like to introduce you to Bee Intakanok.
Bee, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
In 2007, my mother volunteered me to help a Venerable at the meditation center create a marketing program to promote meditation classes. Initially, I was upset with my mother for volunteering me without consulting with me, but then I softened up and realize that the monks would need my help, so I agreed as long as I did not need to attend the meditation classes. It was a 6-week program, and later the Venerable left, so I figured it was only a matter of time before another Venerable wanted to do the same thing. I kept the marketing campaigns running just in case, soon I kept getting calls and emails which made me realize that this thing called meditation, there is something to it. Here I am after all these years having access to some of the best teacher’s but yet am not taking advantage of it. So I started to take notice and realized that I needed to do something. Though we did not have a teaching monk at the time I figured that we could utilize skype. Keep in mind this is in 2008, skype was still in beta and wasn’t working so well. Well this didn’t do the job, it was a rigged system and many times the Venerable who was guiding connection would just vanish or he would freeze, all sorts of issues. So in 2009, I started to teach the class and would include monks that spoke English to alternate with me. Through time this new format worked and our classes continue to grow and maintain itself. Then in 2015, the Georgia Meditation Center had a meeting where all the top monks attended. I was asked to share how I build the meditation group so that other centers can adopt. I took the opportunity to ask if I could invite an English speaking monk to help me grow the meditation group. In 2016 this was granted. We now of one of the best meditation teacher’s in the world and I am honored to be able to help him introduce meditation to others.
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?
No definitely not. I think anything that is great will always have struggles and setbacks. The major set back for our meditation group was not having an English speaking monk to teach, therefore we tried many alternative options. Finally, we adopted a way that worked for our center where I would guide meditation, and our monks would teach, it would be translated. We did this up until this year when Venerable Nicholas located to Georgia from Manchester.
Alright – so let’s talk business. Tell us about Georgia Meditation Circle – what should we know?
I am very proud and honored to be part of the meditation group, to help people find true happiness inside the type of happiness that one cannot buy. Food for the soul. It is amazing that we have been meeting for almost 10 years. Below is a bio from my LinkedIn that pretty much sums up my role:
The Georgia Meditation Circle an affiliate of the Georgia Meditation Center Dhammakaya foundation promotes meditation and spiritual awareness. Our meditation sessions are conducted by Dhammakaya practitioners who have committed their lives by ordaining to teach meditation and dhamma (reality of life). As a founder of the meditation group my responsibilities include teaching, inspiring people to incorporate meditation into their daily lives, promoting/marketing our weekly meditation session, continue to grow our membership which is currently over 1000 members, coordinating meditation retreats, scheduling Venerable to guide weekly sessions, merit drives….i am truly passionate about meditation and the benefits that are gained from the practice and encourage everyone to learn this ancient gift to us all.
What sets us apart from others is that we genuinely help people and we have the best teachers!
Is there a characteristic or quality that you feel is essential to success?
Perseverance, integrity, grit, diplomacy, passion, vision
Pricing:
- Meditation classes are $5 per class money is used to donate to the monastic community
Contact Info:
- Address: Bee Intakanok
4522 Tilly Mill
Atlanta, Ga 30360 - Website: www.meditationcircle.org
- Phone: 678-887-3828
- Email: missbee@gmail.com
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Georgia-Meditation-Center-Dhammakaya-International-438738885264/
- Twitter: @gmc_bee
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/georgia-meditation-center-atlanta-2?utm_source=ashare&utm_campaign=status_quo_sheet&ref=yelp-android
