Teachers
Maggie Cooper
Maggie Cooper offers mental calm and bodily nourishment through Port Jefferson's Wednesday Soup and Serenity lunch time meditations. Born in Britain, Maggie immigrated to the US many years ago. She raised a family here and, until her retirement last year, was a Professor at Stony Brook University. Maggie has been studying meditation at Dipamkara Meditation Center since 2003 and has discovered the powerful effects of meditation to heal pain and suffering. Maggie teaches from the heart and is very grateful for this opportunity to offer what she has learned about gaining inner peace.
Rebecca Friedman
Rebecca teaches the Sunday morning class at the Port Jefferson Branch of Dipamkara. She was born in London and spent the first half of her life in England. She now has family here with two grown sons. As an active Montessori elementary school teacher during the week, Rebecca carries her love of teaching and clarity of explanation to her Sunday morning classes. As a life-long meditator Rebecca now enjoys the opportunity to help students learn the many benefits of meditation.
Kathy is grateful for the community she has enjoyed at Dipamkara Meditation Center since August 2001. Busy raising two children, and working as a school psychologist, she finds the study programs at Dipamkara have given her a supportive base to build her faith and practice. Her teachings are warm and joyful. Kathy is the Foundation Program teacher at the Port Jefferson branch.
Dennis Kane
Although born and raised in NYC, Dennis has been a Long Islander for over 40 years. He has been studying Kadampa Buddhism for almost six of those years. Dennis is currently teaching the attachment and addiction classes once a month at the Huntington Center as well as the Port Jefferson Branch. Dennis enjoys helping others understand how Buddha's practical advice can help them solve their daily problems and live a more meaningful life.
Gen Mancini
Gen is the teacher of Port Jefferson's Tuesday evening class. She first met Kadampa Buddhism back in 2002 and has been an avid supporter of the Center ever since. Over the years she has held various organizational positions at the Center and now spends her spare time working on the website. Gen's teachings are delivered with warmth and enthusiasm, bringing great joy to her listeners.
Mike Opisso
