Dagmar Cofer.
We are wired to avoid pain. Whether it is physical discomfort or uncomfortable emotions, our “go to” reaction is to run as fast as we can from what it is we do not want, even though it is already here. Only when we do the very opposite of what we want when anxiety hits — namely to acknowledge it, lean into and move through the experience of our suffering — does it begin to lessen. Each time we practice it, we become a change agent for peace and compassion not just for ourselves, but also for the world.
Dagmar Cofer was born and raised in Berlin, Germany, and came to the United States in 1972. She was a professional artist, showing her paintings in the States and in Germany. She became part of a Buddhist community in the 90’s and received her Master’s in Applied Meditation. Dagmar has worked with a variety of communities — private clients, hospice, higher education, hospitals, drug rehabilitation programs. She created a mindful medicine program for medical students at a health sciences university while living in California.
A year ago, Dagmar and her partner, Sheree, returned to Pennsylvania. They began attending UCWC just prior to the shutdown. To help others is Dagmar’s greatest joy.