In this thoughtful and deeply embodied conversation, Stephanie Romero sits down with meditation teacher, somatic psychotherapist, and Dharma practitioner Gavrila Abramson to explore the intersections of Buddhism, trauma-sensitive practice, embodiment, and healing. Gavrila shares her personal journey from burnout and depression while working as an engineer in New York to discovering meditation and spiritual practice in an ashram in the Israeli desert—a turning point that transformed the direction of her life.
Together, Stephanie and Gavrila unpack how many people come to the Dharma through suffering, and how Buddhist teachings can offer not only insight into human pain, but compassionate pathways toward liberation. The conversation dives into trauma-informed meditation, the importance of choice and safety in practice, and the ways modern mindfulness often overlooks the body, ethics, and relational aspects of the Buddha’s original teachings.
They also discuss patriarchy in Buddhist communities, the need for diverse voices in spiritual spaces, and the importance of finding teachers and practices that resonate with one’s lived experience. Gavrila reflects on her evolving work around “Buddhism Beyond Patriarchy,” the healing power of chanting and music, and her philosophy of “Whole Complete Perfect”—a practice of radical acceptance rooted in compassion rather than self-improvement.
This episode is a rich exploration of embodied spirituality, nervous system healing, authenticity, and what it means to belong fully within a liberative path.
Recommended resources mentioned in the episode:
Learn More at www.awakencollaborative.com
Music: Weather Any Storm by Cody Francis and Forever and A Day by Kim Aspen (canva.com)
Produced by Say Some Thing Studios, a creative media division of Elevate 1 Consulting.
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Music: "Chill Mode" by Audiobinger from the free music archive. This work is openly licensed via CC BY 4.0.
