Image - the speaker
Past Event

Hip-Hop Meditation: An Intriguing Evening of Music and Mindfulness

Join us for an unforgettable evening of insight, rhythm and discussion. Hip-Hop Meditative Mindfulness blends two worlds that would seem to be at odds—the stillness of meditation and the vitality of hip-hop. Together, they invite you into a fascinating new space for powerful spiritual practice. Coupled with a discussion of how these practices can reach people immersed in popular culture and help them find the wisdom of mindfulness and Buddhism, this will be a memorable event.

Led by Born I—a renowned meditation teacher on the Balance app, an author praised by Alice Walker, and a hip-hop artist with more than 20 million streams—our event will open with a grounding guided meditation and crystal singing bowl sound bath, followed by a discussion of healing, impermanence and street culture, drawing from Born I's experiences as a Buddhist, a father, a musician, and an author.

Born I will also discuss his new book, Lyrical Dharma: Hip-Hop as Mindfulness, and his journey from the street to spirituality.

"hell is behind us
presence and kindness
ended my blindness" — Born I

Although available on live stream, this event will be best in-person. So come to the Club for this experiential event, meet Born I and your peers, and maybe even have dinner afterward at a nearby restaurant!

About the Speaker

Born I (Ofosu Jones-Quartey) is a Ghanaian-American based in Washington, D.C. He is the male voice on the popular Balance meditation app and creator of the new book Lyrical Dharma: Hip-Hop as Mindfulness (Parallax Press) and companion album Komorebi.

Organizer
Eric Siegel
Notes

A Personal Growth Member-led Forum program. Forums at the Club are organized and run by volunteer programmers who are members of The Commonwealth Club, and they cover a diverse range of topics. Learn more about our Forums.

Photos courtesy the speaker.

August 6, 2025

The Commonwealth Club of California
110 The Embarcadero
Toni Rembe Rock Auditorium
San Francisco, CA 94105
United States

Speakers
Image - Born I

Born I

Host, Balance meditation app; Creator, Lyrical Dharma: Hip-Hop as Mindfulness (Parallax Press) and companion album Komorebi

Image - Eric Siegel

Moderator: Eric Siegel

Chair, Personal Growth Member-led Forum, The Commonwealth Club of California