Robert Beatty is a member of the first wave of Theravada Buddhist teachers who brought Mindfulness from Asia in the 1970s. He is the founder and guiding teacher of the Portland Insight Meditation Community. His life is devoted to helping others discover the profound ways Buddhist practices can transform one’s life, reduce suffering and create happiness. Robert founded the Portland Insight Meditation Community where he is the guiding teacher.​

His meditation training began with Goenka in India in 1972. He has studied with many teachers in Burma, India and the US. Robert was empowered to teach the Dharma by Ruth Denison in 1983. He has worked with thousands of students and created a unique synthesis of Buddhist methods of awakening and healing and those of Western psychotherapy. He works with individuals and leads retreats in British Columbia, Canada, Europe, Oregon, and Washington.
 
Robert has a Masters in Environmental Studies from York University in Toronto and a Masters in Social Work from Portland State University. 
 
Robert uses humour, movement, music, poetry and drumming to teach meditation for everyday life, including intimate relationships, parenting, work and our relationship to the greater community.
 
Robert is a husband, father, grandfather, poet, musician, skier, lover of mountains and is fully engaged with life.