Lyrical Dharma: Hip-Hop as Mindfulness

＂It is hard to express how important I feel this book is.＂
--Alice Walker, author of The Color Purple

A powerful and poetic illustrated meditation on hip-hop and mindfulness

＂I want to create music and experiences for people to understand that it’s okay to be exactly who you are. You are enough.＂
--Born I

Reading like a book of poetry with accompanying commentary, Lyrical Dharma explores the lyrics and life experience of Born I, conscious hip-hop rapper and meditation teacher. Born I’s journey of self-expression from a façade of bravado and materialism to a raw sharing of joy, failure, anxiety, and insight inspires and uplifts. The book offers:

• the stories and insights behind the lyrics of Born I’s most powerful and popular songs
• a beautifully designed package studded with photos and illustrations
• an authentic expression of Zen insight and mindfulness practice married to creative expression
• a resonant invitation to young BIPOC readers seeking a path to navigate the complexities of identity, society, and inner peace in a divided and dissonant world
• a testament to the power of music and mindfulness to foster well-being, joy, and empowerment

Born I’s core message--＂you are enough＂ rings through these pages, encouraging readers to embrace their imperfections and celebrate themselves just as they are, in the here and now.

Meditation teacher, author, and musician Born I is an artist holding space at the intersection of hip-hop and mindfulness. Born I is an experienced meditation practitioner and certified teacher who collaborates with Thich Nhat Hanh’s Plum Village community of Engaged Buddhism to express hip-hop as a form of mindfulness to expand the potential of both music and wellness. Born I hails from Washington, DC.