Lama Rod Owens’ (he/him) earliest memories of suffering were related to his body. He shares how through compassion and joy, we can find the space and sacredness to come into balance with our bodies and the natural world. Lama Rod’s experience with queer male spaces, and his need to separate from them, led to seeking community and, ultimately, his own freedom. Lama Rod Owens is a Black Buddhist Southern Queen. A leading voice in a new generation of Buddhist teachers with over 11 years of experience, Lama Rod activates the intersections of his identity to create a platform that’s very natural, engaging, and inclusive. Applauded for his mastery in balancing weighty topics with a sense of lightness, his mission is showing you how to heal and free yourself. Please connect with Lama Rod through his website, Instagram, LinkedIn, Facebook, and YouTube Also, you can check out his new book The New Saints on Bookshop and Amazon. This episode’s poem is called “Sanctuary” by Ada Limon. Connect with Fat Joy on the website, Instagram, subscribe to the Fat Joy newsletter, and watch full video episodes on YouTube. Want to share some fattie love? Please rate this podcast and give it a joyful review. Our thanks to Chris Jones and AR Media for keeping this podcast looking and sounding joyful