Talk by Dr. Tamara Ditrich ‘Mindfulness’

January 18, 2026

The talk given by Dr. Ditrich was well attended by Chung Tian branch and other English-speaking members.

Dr. Ditrich started by outlining the meaning of the word ‘mindfulness’. She talked about how it was being implemented in the present time as a tool for self-help, in sport and in business as a way of improving outcomes. Paying attention in order to achieve a set goal.

She then went on to talk about mindfulness from a Buddhist perspective, which is different.

Dr. Ditrich explained that in Buddhism ‘skilful attention’ is used to rid ourselves of such things as greed, anger and ignorance (the three poisons) and promote Loving Kindness.

Using wholesome attention to cultivate the mind to promote freedom and to cultivate virtues. She explained that by using loving kindness meditation, seeds of virtue can be planted to promote loving kindness to all beings.

She talked about some of the ways she had taught Loving Kindness meditation to young people and how effective it had been. Giving examples of not only the effect on the person being taught, but also how the concept had spread to their friends and classmates.

The process of mindfulness, meditation and loving kindness can bring about changes in the way we think, the way we speak and the way we act. It can also reduce our need to compare with others.

Dr. Dietrich made the point that the world had become so ‘visual’ that people are using the other senses to a much lesser extent, for that reason she said she no longer used PowerPoint when giving talks, in the hope that it people will think and remember more efficiently.

Towards the end of the presentation Dr. Dietrich talked us through a Loving Kindness meditation.

The session ended with questions, of which there were quite a few.

After the presentation there was a delicious lunch (my compliments to the chef). I was lucky enough to be seated on the same table as Dr. Dietrich so was able to continue talking with her.

Everyone I spoke to had thoroughly enjoyed the experience and had much to think about. I very much enjoyed and gained useful knowledge during the whole process.

Thanks to Abbess Man Wang for bringing this about.

Sharon Corbett