Joan Adrian Tabalanza,
Secretary,Class Administration Section

Joan Adrian came to Ocean Sky to find a solution to his problem with recurring insomnia. He was too hard on himself and stressed with academic demands. He confessed: “I sometimes would go days on end without a shuteye.” Instead of turning to prescription drugs, he wanted to try meditation. Joan would sometimes show up at meditation class with dark circles under his eyes and a frantic look about him. But he persisted in coming to class, improving in his meditation, and learning about Buddha’s teachings. He came to know that Buddhism is really about the study of one’s mind and how to be the master of it. In the end, he dealt with his stress better and got benefited.

Presently, he is finishing his masters in Education, majoring in Language Education, and is on his way to pursuing a doctorate degree. In gratitude, Joan volunteered to help Shifus in the Saturday Bodhi Star kids’ class. He was gentle and solicitous with the children, quite unusual for a young man who would ordinarily be out with friends on weekends. This year, he became coordinator of the class, working harmoniously with the other ATs (assistant teachers) in bringing Buddha’s teachings down to the level of the kids.

Joan has finished the advanced class and is now taking the Sutra class. He reflects: “I learned that a Zen mind involves stillness and insight, which comprise the enlightened state. What I like about the advanced and sutra classes is that they let me contemplate on my own thoughts. My mind has since become more focused and attentive. I could now see my own biases and the other people’s too. That’s what makes me smile!”