IMS Online Learning Center

Cara Lai has spent most of her life in pursuit of meaning and happiness, which landed her on a cushion for much of her adult life. Throughout many mind-body adventures including many long-term retreats, she has explored the concentrated mind, chronic illness, the value of pleasure, the power of maternal energy, and connection to the earth. In the past, Cara has worked as an artist, wilderness guide, social worker and psychotherapist. Now she finds herself intently focused on the dharma path, practicing both on and off the cushion in unconventional ways, and using intuition as her guide. She tries her best to teach from the most authentic and vulnerable place she can muster, and is still learning about the contentment of simply existing.

Ofosu Jones-Quartey is a meditation teacher, author, and musician based in the Washington, DC area with 20 years of experience sharing mindfulness, meditation, and self-compassion practices with people of all ages. A graduate of American University, Ofosu is certified by the Mindfulness Meditation Teacher Certification Program and the Teleos Coaching Institute. He is also the male voice on the Balance meditation app, which has reached over 10 million users worldwide. Ofosu teaches meditation classes and leads retreats across the country at renowned centers including the Insight Meditation Community of Washington, Insight Meditation Society, Spirit Rock, Brooklyn Zen Center, Cleveland Insight, and Inward Bound Mindfulness Education. He has also brought mindfulness to schools, organizations, and youth programs, co-developing a mindfulness-based suicide prevention curriculum for teens. As a hip-hop artist known as Born I, Ofosu blends spiritual insight with lyrical artistry. His 2021 album In This Moment was nominated for Best Rap Album at the Wammies. In 2023, he released AMIDA, a lo-fi, spiritually inspired project exploring life, death, and Buddhist practice. That same year, he toured with the monastics of Plum Village Monastery, offering a unique blend of music and meditation to diverse audiences. Ofosu has performed at the Kennedy Center and other prestigious venues, and is a member of the DC Chapter of the Recording Academy. His live events are immersive experiences combining hip-hop, dharma, and contemplative practice. Ofosu is also an author. His children’s books You Are Enough (2020) and Love Your Amazing Self (2022, Storey Publishing) promote self-love and mindfulness for young readers. His forthcoming book, Lyrical Dharma: Hip Hop as Mindfulness (Parallax Press, July 2025), expands on his creative philosophy—bridging inner transformation and cultural expression. He will release an accompanying album, Komorebi, exploring themes of presence, healing, and spiritual awakening through minimalist, poetic hip-hop. Ofosu lives in Rockville, Maryland with his wife and four children. Across all his work, he is dedicated to helping people meet life with presence, creativity, and compassion.