Daylong with Noriko Morita Harth
The Four Elements
Saturday, Dec 12, 2025, 9:00 am - 4:00 pm
Insight San Diego Welcomes
Noriko Morita Harth
Daylong
The Four Elements
Saturday, Dec. 12, 2026, 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
The Buddha invited us to contemplate earth, water, fire, and air—not as separate substances, but as qualities and conditions that are continually changing within our bodies and throughout the world around us. In this daylong, we will explore the Four Elements as a doorway into the Dharma, offering us a way to experience more deeply the changing and interconnected nature of our lives.
Together, we will explore how nothing exists independently or permanently. The body we call “self” is made of the very same elements that move through the earth, water, fire, and air of the living world. As we become more aware of this elemental nature, we may discover a new sense of belonging—not as separate selves trying to find connection, but as beings who are already part of an ever-changing web of conditions, relationships, and life.
Through sitting and walking meditation, simple qigong and yoga, elemental contemplation, reflection, and mettā practice, we will explore qualities of steadiness, fluidity, warmth, and spaciousness. We will practice meeting our changing experience with mindfulness and compassion, while gently opening to the wisdom of impermanence, interconnection, and letting go.
This daylong is an invitation to slow down, listen deeply, and experience the Dharma of belonging—to sense in our bodies and hearts that we are not separate from the world that sustains us, but intimately woven into the life around us.
Noriko Morita Harth, originally from Japan, identifies as a Heritage Buddhist and holds Buddhism close to her heart. Her life-transforming journey of discovering and exploring mindfulness and compassion practices has helped her cultivate a more balanced identity between her Japanese roots and her current life in the West. Noriko strongly believes that practicing mindfulness and compassion has been key to her personal growth and continues to be a guiding force in her life.
She is passionate about bringing these practices to others, particularly underserved and diverse communities. It is her mission to share both what she has learned and what she continues to learn with the broader community.
Since January 2025, Noriko has been participating in the two-year Community Dharma Leadership Program at Spirit Rock Meditation Center.
Noriko is also a Certified Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) Instructor and a Certified Mindful Self-Compassion (MSC) Instructor. She has been teaching MBSR and MSC courses since 2014 and offers mentorship for MBSR and MSC teachers, as well as MBSR and MSC Teacher Training programs and practicum.
First Unitarian Universalist Church of San Diego, Bard Hall
4190 Front Street, San Diego, CA. 92103 (GPS: 298 W Arbor Dr., San Diego, CA 92103)
Location:
Date & Time:
Saturday, Dec. 12, 2025, 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Registration Info:
Dāna (pronounced "dah-na") is a Pali word meaning generosity. Dating back to the time of the Buddha, there has existed an interdependence between those who offer the teachings and those who receive them. The teachings are given freely, since they are considered priceless. It is the practice of dāna that has kept the Buddhist tradition alive for more than 2,600 years in Asia, where committed supporters have given generously to establish networks of monasteries and retreat centers providing for millions of teachers and practitioners. As these ancient teachings move to the West, we hope to keep alive this joyful tradition.
Noriko Morita Harth asks that Dāna for her teachings be made to Insight San Diego and to specify the BIPOC Sitting Group on our donation form's "additional information" field.
Additional Info: