"It is probable that the next Buddha will not take the form of an individual. The next Buddha may take the form of a community,
a community practicing understanding and loving kindness, a community practicing mindful living.
This may be the most important thing we can do for the survival of the earth." – Thich Nhat Hanh
ORIGIN STORY
“In 2018, I took a sabbatical in a remote part of southern Costa Rica after 16 years building a software company. I began studies at Pavones Yoga Centre because I was particularly drawn to the connection in this Yoga program to the earth. My love for the environment has been a constant in my life.
“One day it suddenly struck me that the learnings I had been devouring through my yoga teacher training, and through my mindfulness training before that, provided the essence of understanding, loving kindness and mindful living and that none of it is specific to the practice of yoga or the academics of mindfulness. It’s just a really good way to live your life and a simple way of protecting the survival of the earth.
“What a better place the world would be if everyone could embody these simple practices. What I enjoyed so much about my yoga teacher training program was that we were learning these skills together as a close-knit community.
“I didn’t know exactly how to make that happen, but I could feel that fire reigniting in me and that’s when the concept of Love Tribe was born.”
- Laura Murphy
WHY WE ARE HERE
Love Tribe was born out of the belief that if we are going to heal the planet, we need to heal ourselves.
We believe that by connecting people around the world, an ever-growing community that rallies around a shared purpose, we will create a movement where we all become a little gentler with ourselves, with each other, and with the earth.
We have a vision of a community where a range of knowledgeable and inspiring teachers will deliver lessons and exercises on mindful living skills.
In the end, we all want to feel a sense of love, safety and belonging. Despite our differences we created a community of people that will hold space for those differences, learn from those differences and awaken to what we can achieve if we honour these differences.
COMMUNITY FOUNDERS
Laura Murphy
Co-Founder
I am driven by my passions. I believe that a community of people who share a passion and a purpose can make a lasting difference in creating a better world. In my previous life, I worked in partnership with my husband to build a software company where, as a community, we cared about each other, our customers, and how our work helped protect people and the planet.
My formal education is in Environmental Studies, where I developed my appreciation for the fragility of our planet, and the importance of a society who cares. I later studied mindfulness which taught me how to be present with my thoughts and experiences. Deepening my Yoga practice taught me that I am a part of something much larger than myself. In the end, my greatest teachers have been my two beautiful children who instil in me the most important lessons of all: the power of presence, compassion, patience and gratitude. I believe these are the most fundamental and essential expressions of love.
Today, I find my passion steering me towards a new purpose: to build LoveTribe as an ever-growing community of people who believe the most powerful solution for the protection of people and the planet is LOVE. Could it be that simple? I believe whole heartedly that yes, it can be. However, I also believe it’s not quite as simple as it sounds because love is most essential when it’s not easy.
My personal missions are to foster my own learning through this community, and to support a movement that redefines love and brings it forward.
Susan Bakshi
Co-Founder
I have had a passion for protecting and connecting with our natural spaces for as long as I can remember. Growing up in Ontario, I cherish my memories of swimming in our lakes and exploring our woods. But I also have clear memories of how humans damaged the Great Lakes, made the rain acidic and created a big hole in the Ozone Layer. As I child I felt helpless to create change. It was a feeling I did not like and one I did not want my three children to experience.
At university I studied Environmental Science with a focus on Biology and Zoology. It was here that I joined a team of academics and students to create a citizens’ environmental monitoring program. Our goal was to maintain a baseline for monitoring data, while also empowering people to take an active role in safeguarding and sustaining their local ecosystems. In the first year we had over 1000 people across the province taking part and it continues to grow to this day!
Since 2000 I lived and worked in India, England and Japan. Living in countries with such strong cultural identities was illuminating. By approaching each new place with a curious mind I came to realize that we all want the same fundamental things - to feel a sense of love, safety and belonging. Despite some significant differences we can always find a community wherever we may be as long as we hold space for those differences, learn from those differences and awaken to what we can achieve if we honour those differences.
