John Bell

John Bell

John Bell is a Buddhist Dharma Teacher who lives near Boston, MA, USA. He is also a founding staff and former vice president of YouthBuild USA, an international non-profit that provides learning, earning, and leadership opportunities to young people from low-income backgrounds. He is a certified peer counselor, an author, lifelong social justice activist, international trainer facilitator, father and grandfather.  His blog is www.beginwithin.info and email is jbellminder@gmail.com. (12) His latest book is Unbroken Wholeness: Six  Pathways to the Beloved Community.

John Bell in Kosmos

It’s Time for Beloved Community Circles

Journal Article

Beloved Community Circles is a network of small groups of 5-12 people, geographically local to each other, who make three commitments: to engage in spiritual practice and healing together so that healing and development are core; to come to care deeply for each other’s well-being; and to participate in mindful action of the group’s choosing.

Published in Volume 24 Issue 6
By John Bell


Reflections on Gaza, Israel and our collective pain

Journal Article

I know that the situation in Gaza and Israel has impacted your heart and mind. Maybe, like me, you’ve alternately felt heartsick, angry, confused, judgmental, numb, compassionate, and more. I for one start with feeling humble and poorly informed before the enormity of the situation.

October 16, 2023 in Journal Article
By John Bell


Envisioning the Beloved Community

Journal Article

After edging close to the brink of ecological and societal collapse and after enduring enormous suffering on our precious Earth, enough people of good will and skillfulness were able to do just enough to pull us back from that brink so that complex life on earth might continue.  We now live in the Beloved Community.

Published in Volume 22 Issue 2
By John Bell


Freedom and Energy from Healing White Racism

Journal Article

Friends of color tell me they want primarily two things from white people: to show up for justice and to do our own work with white people at dismantling racism.

Published in Volume 20 Issue 2
By John Bell


Developing a Mindful Approach to Earth Justice Work

Journal Article

The story one tells oneself about climate change shapes individual feelings and actions. For example, are we on the verge of breakdown or breakthrough?  There is ample evidence for both.

Published in Volume 19 Issue 2
By John Bell