What Would the Buddha Do with Marisela Gomez?

In anticipation of her daylong retreat on July 26, DVI Steering Committee member John Holland had a chat with Marisela Gomez about her path into the dharma.

John Holland: Dr. Gomez, welcome, and thank you for talking with me today. To begin, I’d love to hear a little bit about your journey from Belize to Baltimore.

Marisela Gomez: Absolutely. I was born in Belize and spent my early years there, raised by my grandparents after my parents migrated to New Orleans. At the age of thirteen, I joined them in New Orleans, where I finished high school. I then enlisted in the Air Force, which took me on a different kind of journey. After four years of service, I found myself in Albuquerque, where I completed my undergraduate studies and earned a Master’s in toxicology. In 1989, I moved to Baltimore to continue my education at Johns Hopkins University.

JH: What a remarkable path. How did your spiritual journey begin? What is your connection with Thich Nhat Hanh?

MG: My journey into mindfulness and meditation began in 2000, when I was living in Baltimore. A friend recommended one of Thich Nhat Hanh’s books. I can’t recall the exact title, but it made a profound impact on me. In 2007, I decided to deepen my practice and spent a year at Plum Village in France. That experience turned into nearly three years of immersive study and practice, including the last eighteen months living at Blue Cliff Monastery in Pine Bush, New York.

JH: That’s deeply inspiring. Given the growing rates of depression and anxiety today, what advice would you offer to those who are suffering?

MG: My encouragement is simple but powerful: keep practicing. When we commit to a regular mindfulness practice we give ourselves the gift of returning to the peace and calm that already exists within us in the moment. Especially in dark or difficult times, mindfulness meditation can offer light. And the more of us who practice, the more light we generate, not just for ourselves but for those around us and, ultimately, for the whole world. We can also benefit from seeking the help of a mental health specialist if symptoms of depression and anxiety persists or increase.

JH: Thank you for sharing your story and your insights. Your journey is a testament to resilience, service, and the healing power of mindfulness.