The Dharma Bum Temple Meditation Outreach Program had the privilege of visiting the School of Creative and Performing Arts on Friday, March 27 to share an introduction to mindfulness and meditation with students.

The session was led by our CEO, Jeffrey Zlotnik, who guided students through a simple and accessible meditation practice, followed by a discussion about awareness, presence, and how mindfulness can be applied in everyday life. The students showed strong engagement throughout, bringing curiosity and openness to the experience.

It is more important than ever for schools to recognize the challenges students are facing with regards to stress, anxiety, and the pressures of daily life, and to seek out supportive resources that meet those needs. We are deeply grateful that the School of Creative and Performing Arts took this step in reaching out, demonstrating a genuine commitment to the well-being of their students.

What stood out most was not just the overall attentiveness of the group, but a meaningful moment of growth that unfolded during the visit. Two students who initially struggled with being disruptive became part of the discussion in a sincere way. After the session, they approached Jeffrey to apologize for their behavior. This moment reflected a genuine shift, demonstrating self-awareness, accountability, and maturity.

Experiences like this are at the heart of our outreach work. Meditation is not about perfection or silence, but about learning to recognize our actions, reflect, and grow. Seeing young people take those steps, even in small ways, is powerful and inspiring.

We are grateful to the School of Creative and Performing Arts for welcoming us and to the students for their honesty and participation. Special thanks to Annie and Lorraine for helping make this visit possible. These moments remind us that planting seeds of mindfulness can have a real and lasting impact.

If you are interested in bringing the Dharma Bum Temple Meditation Outreach Program to your school or organization, please contact us as we welcome the opportunity to connect.