Spring Joy
Uncovering Brilliance, Transforming Racism
FREE Mindfulness Workshop for Trans, Two-Spirit, Non-Binary BIMPoC*
Saturday, April 29
11 am – 3 pm  
UBC Farm Yurt and xʷc̓ic̓əsəm Garden
3641 Ross Drive, Vancouver
heart emoji light lunch and bus tix provided heart emoji
Co-Facilitators: Lu Lam, M. Ed. CCC, Shay Loo B. Psych
Elder: Dixie Lee Vance, ᓂ ᒥᑭᓯ ᑭᐦᐁᐤ (Leading Eagle)
xʷc̓ic̓əsəm Garden Coordinator: Cora Thomas

Community Info Session: Thursday, April 20
6 pm -7 pm Location: Online (ZOOM)

To register: lu@lulam.ca or 778-829-8959
More info: wwww.lulam.ca/blog

*For Two-Spirit, Gender expansive, Non-binary, Trans People who are also Black, Indigiqueers, Indigenous, Multi-racial and/or People of Colour
In Partnership with: Indigenous Research Partnerships
Funded by: Trans Care BC, Provincial Health Services Authority Logo

Do you hope for more joy but finding it hard to because :

• of an ongoing sense of not belonging? And no amount of thinking seems to mend the hurt
• knowing you’re brilliant, but feel far from that truth
• the city noise is over stimulating and you need a break with nature?
• you're really exhausted and it's hard to slow down

Do you sense mindfulness could support your well-being but you weren’t sure where to go?

Good news.

This spring, you have a rare chance to gather among a group of 2S & NBTrans BIMPoC* to practice mindfulness, self-compassion and joy meditation practices in a beautiful outdoor and indoor retreat setting.

We will be gathering at the Yurt at UBC Farm and also be connecting to surrounding lands and gardens in that area.
Located on the unceded traditional territories of the xwməθkwəy̓əm (Musqueam) People, UBC Farm is a 24 hectares farm and forest system including the beautiful  xʷc̓ic̓əsəm (the place where we grow) Garden.
 
We’ll cover practices to process difficult feelings (ie. hurt from micro-aggressions), grow resilience and joy.
 
Current western medical evidence also shows how integration of mindfulness practices has potential to:
-promote healing
-live better with chronic pain
-improve overall quality of life
-grow a healthier relationship to self.  In doing so, to all your relations.
 
According to Traditional Chinese Medicine, Spring is the season for new beginnings. Let’s gather to tune in. What new beginnings do you want to grow?  Because your life is precious. Because you are as stunning as Spring. Allow your true nature to return to nature at this mindfulness workshop.  Let's gather in  beautiful spaces,  be in community, breathe together. Because “racism is a heart disease and it’s curable” (Ruth King, 2019).
 
If you’re interested, please sign up for the Info Session or register with Lu. 

This group will be facilitated from a trauma informed anti-oppression approach, where lived experiences of being discriminated and intersectional worldviews are welcomed. An Elder will be present to support Two-Spirit, Indigenous, Indigiqueer, Métis, Inuit participants and the group.
 
How much does UBTR cost?
It's free.
 
Who is UBTR group for?
Do you self-identify as a Black, Indigenous, Métis, Inuit, Multi-racial, Person of Colour, racialized person, visible minority of Two-Spirit, Indigiqueer, non-binary, gender expansive, trans experience (2S & NBTrans BIMPoC*)?  UBTR is prioritizing half of the spots for trans women, women of trans experience, trans femme, Indigenous and Black participants.

Do you have an interest getting to know your direct experience (body sensations, feeling, thoughts), whatever that may be, through facilitated support?

Do you have interest in contacting the present moment while re-connecting with nature?

Do you want to co-create a space together that values undoing Anti-Black racism, Anti-Indigenous racism?

Are you open to uplifting all they ways trans-ness Two-Spirit, trans femmes, women and non-binary  gender identities show up?

If you answered yes to all 5 above, UBTR is for you!

UBC Farm is So Far! How can I get there?
At the end of this post are public transit and car directions to get here.
If you live in the GVA, please be in touch with Lu (lu@lulam.ca, 778-829-8959) if this travel is a barrier for you by April 13 and we can support you to find a way here. 

I’m interested! What’s next?
Come to the Community Info Session
April 20, 6 pm -7 pm. Location: ZOOM
Contact lu@lulam.ca or 778-829-8959 to reserve a spot.
Register early. There will be 15 spots
 
What happens at the Community Info Session?
Experience the mindfulness facilitation style to see if it’s right for you
Engage in a community consultation by contributing your ideas to make this workshop great for you
Learn how to prepare for a half day workshop
Ask questions
We want you to have a good idea of what this workshop will be like.
This mindfulness workshop can be a beautiful practice to take care of the heart. And, depending on what conditions you may be facing currently in life,  this workshop may not be a wise kind fit. Lu can work with you on this, if you have any questions. 
If this workshop is a good fit for you, you can register for
Spring Joy: UBTR’s Mindfulness Workshop  April 29, 2023 11 am-3 pm at the Community Info Session.

I can’t make the Community Info Session, can I still register for  Spring Joy: UBTR’s Mindfulness Workshop?
For sure. Contact lu@lulam.ca or 778-829-8959 to schedule a 20 min intake to see if it’s the right time to practice with UBTR.
 
Last day for registration is April 20, 2023.  Register early before spots fill.
 
Why Trans BIMPoC*?
Black, Indigenous, Métis, Inuit, Multi-racial, People of Colour, racialized people with Two-Spirit, Indigiqueer, non-binary trans, and/or gender expansive experience (2S & NBTrans BIMPoC*) are profound and brilliant human expressions.
Yet, instead of a wise world that uplifts us, we live in a world that annihilates complexity. Black, Indigenous, women of trans-experience, Two-Spirit and Indigiqueer people are disproportionately impacted by hate-based violence.  Local and national consultations with 2S & NBTrans BIMPoC* communities are asking for intentional spaces to attend to our mental, emotional, physical, and spiritual  well-being.
UBTR intends answer a call from the 2S & NBTransBIMPoC* communities by offering an intersectional and inclusive space to:
Take care of the invisible wounds of intersecting cultural oppressions (ie. anti-Black racism, anti-Indigenous racism, Islamophobia, trans misogyny, transphobia, fatphobia)
Reclaim joyful fun in our unique and cultural ways
Practice different ways of knowing that’s often discounted or appropriated in mainstream culture.
Grow healthy relationship to our innately brilliant selves. In doing so, grow healthy relationships to all our relations.
Trust that our experiences will be validated instead of pathologized

How many people will be in this group?
Approximately 8-10 participants.
 
What happens at this retreat?
In the first part, you will be welcome to create your indoor nest. This will be your sitting/lying down space in the yurt that you can make comfy and yours by bringing blankets, comfy clothes. You’re invited to bring an object that makes you feel like you- brilliant, magical, grounded, strong Please note the Yurt is an indoor/outdoor space which may be cooler than regular room temperatures. So bring layers, hot water bottle, etc to stay warm.

Information will be shared on how a mindfulness may benefit us and our collective well-being. We’ll go over how difficult emotions activate our heartmindbody systems will be integrated. How important joy is as a form of balancing well-being, resilience and resistance in a violent broken and still beautiful world.  Poetry may be shared.  A few mindfulness practices will be introduced and we will engage in these practices indoors and outdoors. 

We will have a mindful lunch period in the middle of the workshop.

We are also very honored to have the xʷc̓ic̓əsəm  Garden welcome and host us after lunch.  xʷməθkʷəy̓əm is the Musqueam name in the hən̓q̓əmin̓əm̓ language that means “The place where we grow”. We will spend the rest of our workshop at  xʷc̓ic̓əsəm  Garden.

When we are outdoors, we will be asking the Land and our non-human kin (ie. trees, plants, mosses) if they would like to be our teachers, our guides. Outdoor mindfulness practices may be gentle mindfulness walking, tree meditation.

We’ll have a contemplative dialogue practice, mindful speaking and listening in small group and a closing circle.

What can I expect from attending this retreat?
This is a practice based experiential group. You can expect to experience practices in a supportive environment which encourages you to directly gently explore your feelings, thoughts, and sensations.
You can expect to have time and space to ask any questions related to your experience of the mindfulness practices.
You can expect to learn how mindfulness based practices and paradigm can benefit our well-being in order to strengthen our social justice, reconciliation  and liberational work.
You can expect to have Compass tickets for return trip to the group and light lunch.
 
What's  a mindfulness and compassion practice?
An example of mindfulness practice could be mindfulness of the breath, sound, body scan, thoughts, feelings, walking, standing, moving.
A joy practice may be finding a spot of joy at UBC Farm. For example, this could be a pretty  flower. Bringing awareness to how you are experiencing this beauty. What face muscles do when you smile? Is there tingling, lightness felt inside the smile?
How is your heart feeling? What thoughts are moving through the mind? What is the flower saying to you? When you speak back, what happens? What sensations change for you? What’s telling you this is joy?
A self-compassion practice may be bringing your awareness with kindness; to whatever you are experience with an allowance for the experience with kind acceptance, no rejection, no changing, no pushing away what is within the present experience of sensations, emotions, thoughts.

COVID Protocols
Let's mask indoors when not eating and drinking. 
If you need more distance for eating indoors,  let us know by April 13 and we will look into this accommodation. There will be lots of  uncovered outdoor space available.
Let's try to be 2 m distanced indoors.
Yurt will  be ventilated. 
Masks and hand sanitizer will be provided. 

We encourage everyone who's attending to rapid test prior to arriving to the workshop.
Rapid tests will be provided. 

Please stay at home if you are not feeling well or have COVID symptoms.

These precautions support lowering the covid risk for many of our beloved folx who live with immunity vulnerabilities. 

If you have any concerns about COVID protocols or your health related to our event please reach out to Lu at  lu@lulam.ca or 778-829-8959 by April 13.

 UBTR Team
​
Mindfulness Co-Facilitator: Lu Lam (they/he), M. Ed. C.C.C.  is a Chinese-Taiwanese trans-identified Mindfulness Counsellor and Consultant. He gratefully acknowledges the people of the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueum), sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish), and sel̓íl̓witulh (Tsleil-Waututh) First Nations, where he works and lives as a settler learning to be a guest. Lu finds joy in creating spaces for people to uncover who they truly are in order to strengthen our social justice work.  He brings 24 years of group facilitation experience, 14 years of daily mindfulness practice, was in the Spirit Rock Community Dharma Leaders 6 Program before it’s closure due to the pandemic, in continuous mindfulness study, and attends yearly meditation retreats. For fun, Lu loves to feast with family, camp, climb and swim in nature.  www.lulam.ca

Mindfulness Co-Facilitator: Shay Loo (she/her), BA Psych.
Shay Loo (she/her) is a Chinese-Scottish trans woman who was born on the Katzie First Nation and Kwantlen First Nation territory. She currently resides and works on the unceded land of the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueum), sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish), and sel̓íl̓witulh (Tsleil-Waututh) peoples as a Health Navigator with Trans Care BC, a PHSA program that supports trans, Two-Spirit, and gender diverse folks and their loved ones across BC. 

​Dixie Lee Vance, ᓂ ᒥᑭᓯ ᑭᐦᐁᐤ (Leading Eagle),  (she/her/we), Spiritual Advisor: Dixie is a Metis with Cree/Mohawk bloodlines from Territory 6, and is a relative residing on the unceded traditional territory of the Kwantlen and Semiahmoo Peoples. Dixie works as a Program Elder at the Fraser Valley Institution. She works with Jaylene Mcrae, co-facilitating Positive Space for trans, Two-Spirit, non-binary, and queer women and folks in the prison system. 
​​

​Accessibility FAQs 
Q: Are there wheelchair-accessible washrooms nearby?
 
A: None of our permanent buildings have wheelchair-accessible washrooms; however, we have a single wheelchair-accessible portable washroom just inside the farm gates/entrance.
 
Q: Is the ground fairly open and even (any protruding rocks/roots, any potholes, any narrow walkways)?
 
A: The parking lot in front of the gate is mostly packed gravel and dirt, though some of it is grass. It has a very slight downward slope at parts. The roads to the Saturday Farm market and Farm Centre are packed gravel with no major protrusions, but depending on the time of year and how recently it has been repaired, there may be some potholes. You should be able to navigate around them with care. If you are coming for a farm tour, the terrain is generally bumpy off the road. We have had wheelchairs on tours before, but we generally recommend having someone to push your wheelchair, if possible, and only if you don’t mind a bumpy ride at times. If it has been raining steadily, you may want to be cautious as some fields and paths are very muddy.

Last summer, "Uncovering Brilliance, Transforming Racism"  (UBTR) had so much fun collaborating  with UBC CampOUT!, a leadership and learning summer camp for queer, trans, Two-Spirit, question and allies youth from across BC and the Yukon.  I thought to share a mindfulness resource from that time. 

Uncovering Brilliance, Transforming Racism

10 Week Mindfulness Group for
2S & NBTransBIMPoC*

Indigenous Youth Community Info Session
Feb. 8, 4-5 pm. Location: Online/ZOOM

Community Info Session
Feb. 22, 6 pm -8 pm Location: Online/ZOOM

10 Week Group Dates: March 1 - May 17 2021
(No Group April 5, 12)
6 pm - 8 pm Location: Online/ZOOM

Facilitator: Lu Lam, M. Ed CCC
Two-Spirit Elder: Bon Fabian
Guest Facilitators: March 29,  Vimalasara (Valerie Mason-John)
Peer Wellness Mentor: Shay Loo, B.Psych
Zoom Moderator: TBD

To register: lu@lulam.ca or 778-829-8959
More Info: www.lulam.ca/blog
Funded by: Trans Care BC, Provincial Health Services Authority Logo
 
*For Two-Spirit, Gender Expansive, Non-binary, Trans People who are also  Black, Indigiqueer, Indigenous, Multi-racial and/or People of Colour 

Mindfulness Info Session
for Two-spirit, Indigiqueer, Indigenous Trans, Gender variant, Non-binary Folks (18-30 yrs
Info Session for
10 Week Mindfulness Group for 2S & NBTransBIMPoC* March 1-May 17
(no group April 5,12)
Indigenous Info Session Date: Feb 8, 2021 
Time: 4-5 pm Location: Online Zoom
Co-Hosted with UNYA 2-Spirit Collective
Facilitator: Lu Lam
Two-Spirit Elder: Bon Fabian
Peer Wellness Mentor: Shay Loo

Register with Lu: call/txt  778-829-8959 or email lu@lulam.ca
Full Info: http://lulam.ca/blog.html
Or call/txt Owen: 604-379-5133
*For Two-Spirit, Gender Expansive, Non-binary, Trans People who are also  Black, Indigiqueers, Indigenous, Multi-racial and/or People of Colour 

Logo: Urban Native Youth Association 

Do you feel heart break from:

• ongoing sense of not belonging? And no amount of thinking seems to mend the hurt
• knowing you’re brilliant, but feel far from that truth
• holding your communities up but not sure if you are even okay?

Do you have a sense that mindfulness could support your well-being but you weren’t sure where to go?

Good news.
 
This winter to spring transition, you have a rare chance to gather among a group of 2S & NBTrans BIMPoC* to learn mindfulness, self-compassion and joy meditation practices.
 
We’ll cover practices to process difficult feelings (ie. hurt from micro-aggressions), grow resilience and joy.

Current western medical evidence also shows how integration of mindfulness practices has potential to:

• promote healing
• live better with chronic pain
• improve overall quality of life
• grow a healthier relationship to self.  In doing so, to all your relations.

 
Winter, according to Traditional Chinese Medicine, is the best season for this inner work.  And Spring is the season for new beginnings.  And it’s cost free!  What could be a greater gift to yourself for this transition season of 2021?

There is no time to lose. Because you’re life is precious. Because “ racism is a heart disease and it’s curable” (Ruth King, 2019). Don’t ignore the call of the heart’s break.

Let’s do our inner work. For a more joy full, kinder and just world.
This group will be facilitated from a trauma informed anti-oppression approach, where lived experiences of being discriminated and intersectional worldviews are welcomed.

How much does UBTR cost?

• It's free

Who is UBTR group for?

• Do you self-identify as a Black, Indigenous, Métis, Inuit, Multi-racial, Person of Colour, racialized person, visible minority of Two-Spirit, Indigiqueer, non-binary, gender expansive, trans experience (2S & NBTrans BIMPoC*)?  UBTR3 is prioritizing half of the spots for trans women, women of trans experience, Indigenous and Black participants.
• Do you have an interest getting to know your direct experience (feeling, thought, sensation), whatever that may be, through facilitated support?

 

• Do you have a readiness to practice mindfulness everyday?  Daily commitment to practice is the intention – even a few minutes a day; length of practice is not the focus?

 

• Can you commit to attending the 10 group sessions?

 
If you answered yes to all 4 above, UBTR is for you!

I’m interested! What’s next?

• Come to the Community Info Session on Feb 22, 6 pm -8 pm. Location: ZOOM
• Contact lu@lulam.ca or 778-829-8959 to reserve a spot.
• Register early. There will be 15 spots

What happens at the Community Info Session?

• Experience the mindfulness facilitation style to see if it’s right for you
• Engage in a community consultation by contributing your ideas to make this group great
• Ask questions
• Register in person to confirm your spot for UBTR’s 10 Week Mindfulness Group starting March 1, 2020 6 pm-8 pm.

I can’t make the Community Info Session, can I still register for UBTR’s 10 week Mindfulness Group?
For sure. Contact llu@lulam.ca or 778-829-8959 to schedule a 15min intake to see if it’s the right time to practice with UBTR.
 
Last day for registration is Feb. 22, 2021 Register early before spots fill.
​
Why Trans BIMPoC*?
Black, Indigenous, Métis, Inuit, Multi-racial, People of Colour, racialized people with Two-Spirit, Indigiqueer, non-binary trans, and/or gender expansive experience (2S & NBTrans BIMPoC*) are profound complex human expressions.
Yet, instead of a wise world that uplifts us, we live in a world that annihilates complexity. Black, Indigenous, women of trans-experience, Two-Spirit and Indigiqueer people are disproportionately impacted by hate-based violence.  Local and national consultations with 2S & NBTrans BIMPoC* communities are asking for intentional spaces to attend to our mental, emotional, physical, and spiritual  well-being.
UBTR intends answer a call from the 2S & NBTransBIMPoC* communities by offering an intersectional and inclusive space to:

• Take care of the invisible wounds of intersecting cultural oppressions (ie. anti-Black racism, anti-Indigenous racism, Islamophobia, trans misogyny, transphobia, fatphobia)
• Reclaim joyful fun  in our unique and cultural ways
• Practice different ways of knowing that’s often discounted or appropriated in mainstream culture.
• Grow healthy relationship to our innately brilliant selves. In doing so, grow healthy relationships to all our relations.
• Trust that our experiences will be validated instead of pathologized

How many people will be in this group?
Approximately 10-12participants. 
 
What happens in these group sessions?
In the first part, information will be shared on how a mindfulness paradigm may benefit us and our collective well-being. Psycho-education on how difficult emotions activate our heartmindbody systems will be integrated. Poetry is also used to illustrate mindfulness and compassion concepts. A mindfulness practice will be introduced and we will engage in this practice.  In the second part, we will open the workshop for any questions or reflections on the mindfulness and compassion practice.
 
What can I expect from attending this group?
This is a practice based experiential group. You can expect to experience practices in a supportive environment which encourages you to directly gently explore your feelings, thoughts, and sensations. 
 
You can expect to have time and space to ask any questions related to your experience of the mindfulness practices.
 
You can expect to learn how mindfulness based practices and paradigm can benefit our well-being in order to strengthen our social justice, reconciliation  and liberational work.

You can expect to have Compass tickets for return trip to the group and light snacks. 
 
Can you provide an example of a mindfulness and compassion practice?
An example of mindfulness practice could be mindfulness of the breath, sound, body scan, thoughts, feelings, walking, standing, moving.
 
A self-compassion practice may be bringing your awareness with kindness; to whatever you are experience with an allowance for the experience with kind acceptance, no rejection, no changing, no pushing away what is present.

Do you feel heart break from:

• ongoing sense of not belonging? And no amount of radical thinking seems to mend the hurt
• knowing you’re brilliant, but feel far from that truth
• holding your communities up but not sure if you are even okay?

 
Do you have a sense that mindfulness could support your well-being but you weren’t sure where to go?


Good news.
 
This winter, you have a rare chance to gather among a group of 2S & NBTrans BIMPoC* to learn mindfulness, self-compassion and joy meditation practices.
 
We’ll cover practices to process difficult feelings (ie. hurt from micro-aggressions), grow resilience and joy.

Current western medical evidence also shows how integration of mindfulness practices has potential to:

• promote healing
• live better with chronic pain
• improve overall quality of life
• grow a healthier relationship to self.  In doing so, to all your relations.

 

Winter, according to Traditional Chinese Medicine, is the best season for this inner work.  And it’s cost free!  What could be a greater gift to yourself for the start of 2020?

There is no time to lose. Because you’re life is precious. Because “ racism is a heart disease and it’s curable” (Ruth King, 2019). Don’t ignore the call of the heart’s break.


Let’s do our inner work. For a more joy full, kinder and just world.
This group will be facilitated from a trauma informed anti-oppression approach, where lived experiences of being discriminated and intersectional worldviews are welcomed.

How much does UBTR cost?

• It's free
• We offer free compass tickets
• Light snacks will be provided 

Who is UBTR group for?

• Do you self-identify as a Black, Indigenous, Métis, Inuit, Multi-racial, Person of Colour, racialized person, visible minority of Two-Spirit, Indigiqueer, non-binary, gender expansive, trans experience (2S & NBTrans BIMPoC*)?  
  
  
• Do you have an interest getting to know your direct experience (feeling, thought, sensation), whatever that may be, through facilitated support?

 

• Do you have a readiness to practice mindfulness everyday?  Daily commitment to practice is the intention – even a few minutes a day; length of practice is not the focus?

 

• Can you commit to attending the 8 group sessions?

 
If you answered yes to all 4 above, UBTR is for you!

I’m interested! What’s next?

• Come to the Community Info Session on Dec. 9, 6:30 pm -8:30 pm. Location: TBA
• Contact lu@lulam.ca or 778-829-8959 to reserve a spot.
• Register early. There will be 20 spots.
  
  
• Or come to the Mindfulness Info Session for Two-Spirit, Indigenous Trans, Non-Binary, Gender Variant Indigenous Youth on Dec. 11, 5-7 pm.
• Location: Learning Centre. Urban Native Youth Association. 1618 East. Hastings.
• ​Contact  Owen Ballendine, Two-Spirit Youth Counsellor. Call or txt 604-379-5133 or email 2spirit@unya.bc.ca

What happens at the Community Info Session?

• Experience the mindfulness facilitation style to see if it’s right for you
• Engage in a community consultation by contributing your ideas to make this group great
• Ask questions
• Register in person to confirm your spot for UBTR’s 8 Week Mindfulness Group starting January 13, 2020 6:30 pm-8:30 pm.
• Enjoy snacks

I can’t make the Community Info Session, can I still register for UBTR’s 8 week Mindfulness Group?
For sure. Contact llu@lulam.ca or 778-829-8959 to schedule a 15min intake to see if it’s the right time to practice with UBTR.
 
Last day for registration is 5 pm December 30, 2019. Register early before spots fill.
​
Why Trans BIMPoC*?
Black, Indigenous, Métis, Inuit, Multi-racial, People of Colour, racialized people with Two-Spirit, Indigiqueer, non-binary trans, and/or gender expansive experience (2S & NBTrans BIMPoC*) are profound complex human expressions.
Yet, instead of a wise world that uplifts us, we live in a world that annihilates complexity. Black, Indigenous, women of trans-experience, Two-Spirit and Indigiqueer people are disproportionately impacted by hate-based violence.  Local and national consultations with 2S & NBTrans BIMPoC* communities are asking for intentional spaces to attend to our mental, emotional, and physical well-being.
UBTR intends answer a call from the 2S & NBTransBIMPoC* communities by offering an intersectional and inclusive space to:

• Take care of the invisible wounds of intersecting cultural oppressions (ie. anti-Black racism, anti-Indigenous racism, Islamophobia, trans misogyny, transphobia, fatphobia)
• Reclaim joyful fun  in our unique and cultural ways
• Practice different ways of knowing that’s often discounted or appropriated in mainstream culture.
• Grow healthy relationship to our innately brilliant selves. In doing so, grow healthy relationships to all our relations.
• Trust that our experiences will be validated instead of pathologized
  
  

How many people will be in this group?
Approximately 10-15 participants. 
 
What happens in these group sessions?
In the first part, information will be shared on how a mindfulness paradigm may benefit us and our collective well-being. Psycho-education on how difficult emotions activate our heartmindbody systems will be integrated. Poetry is also used to illustrate mindfulness and compassion concepts. A mindfulness practice will be introduced and we will engage in this practice.  In the second part, we will open the workshop for any questions or reflections on the mindfulness and compassion practice.
 
What can I expect from attending this group?
This is a practice based experiential group. You can expect to experience practices in a supportive environment which encourages you to directly gently explore your feelings, thoughts, and sensations. 
 
You can expect to have time and space to ask any questions related to your experience of the mindfulness practices.
 
You can expect to learn how mindfulness based practices and paradigm can benefit our well-being in order to strengthen our social justice, reconciliation  and liberational work.

You can expect to have Compass tickets for return trip to the group and light snacks. 
 
Can you provide an example of a mindfulness and compassion practice?
An example of mindfulness practice could be mindfulness of the breath, sound, body scan, thoughts, feelings, walking, standing, moving.
 
A self-compassion practice may be bringing your awareness with kindness; to whatever you are experience with an allowance for the experience with kind acceptance, no rejection, no changing, no pushing away what is present.

Accessibility Info for Fraser and Broadway Location

• one block from transit (99 B-Line, #9 & # 8 buses)
• Community space is fully wheelchair accessible.
• Main floor- two single-stall, wheelchair accessible all-gender washrooms on the main floor as well as several multi-stall gendered washrooms.
• scent-reduced space.

 
For UBTR2 , our room is:

• Is accessible by elevator and by stairs
• There is one single-stall wheelchair accessible all-gender washroom, two multi-stall gendered washrooms.
• In our meeting room, there will be floor lamps with incandescent bulbs in use (in place of overhead fluorescent lighting).
• Floors are linoleum. Chairs may be hard plastic or upholstered office chairs.

 
 
Mindfulness Facilitator: Lu Lam, M. Ed. C.C.C.  is a Chinese-Taiwanese trans-identified Mindfulness Counsellor and Consultant. He gratefully acknowledges the people of the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueum), sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish), and sel̓íl̓witulh (Tsleil-Waututh) First Nations, where he works and lives as a settler learning to be a guest. Lu finds joy in creating spaces for people to uncover who they truly are in order to strengthen our social justice work.  He brings 20 years of group facilitation experience, 11 years of daily mindfulness practice, is currently in the Spirit Rock Community Dharma Leaders 6 Program, in continuous mindfulness study, and attends yearly meditation retreats. For fun, Lu loves to feast with family, camp and swim in nature.  www.lulam.ca
 
Peer Wellness Mentor: Shay Loo, BA Psych. 

I'm delighted to collaborate with Catherine White Hollman Wellness Centre to offer a FREE Anti-Colonial Mindfulness Workshop for our expansive *Indigenous, Black, Multi-racial  racialized, People of Colour communities of Two-Spirit, trans, non-binary, gender diverse experiences (Trans BIMPoC). 

This anti-colonial mindfulness workshop introduces practices of self-compassion to befriend and attend to what we fear to feel by accessing our direct experience of thoughts, emotions, and sensations.
 
Mindfulness is offered by centering embodied traditional knowledges for liberation. Space is limited to 10 participants.
 
To RSVP:
1. Read the “Detailed Description” below to see if this workshop series meets your needs.


2. Email or call Lu to reserve a spot: lu@lulam.ca , 778-829-8929


3. Workshop limited to 10 participants. RSVP early.

 
Workshop Date: Sunday, 2-4 pm, December 2, 2018
Location: Reach Community Health Centre, 1145 Commercial Drive
 
Facilitator: Mindfulness Facilitator, Lu Lam, M. Ed, CCC, is a Mindfulness Counsellor and  Consultant who is a trans-identified, Chinese-Taiwanese settler learning to be a guest.   He has 10 years of daily meditation practice and study.
 
Peer Support Mentor:  Shay Loo, BA Psych. is a mixed Chinese and Scottish trans woman from Vancouver and living on the land of the Musqueum, Squamish, and Tsleil-Waututh nations. Shay values giving back to her community and growing together through experiences. She has a certificate in narrative therapy and hopes to become to counselor in the future. She spends her time playing in the local queer sports leagues and walking along the sea wall. 

 DETAILED DESCRIPTION
Fearless Heart: A Mindfulness + Self-Compassion Workshop for Trans BIMPoC
Catherine White Hollman Wellness Centre presents a FREE Anti-Colonial Mindfulness Workshop with Lu Lam, M. Ed. CCC.
 
Fear can be carried in our cells through the impacts of colonization, historical trauma, and ongoing systemic, interpersonal, lateral violence of the everyday-even scientific research has caught up this truth. Instead of denying, disciplining, concealing fear, what if we honoured fear? What would be known if  we view fear a respected teacher? How could we be curious about fear-based insecurities like thinking we are too f*cked up to be loved. This workshop invites us to re-member our inherent wholeness and reclaim a deep sense of belonging, a right to heal and shine bright.
When we begin to pay gentle attention to fear, we radically change our relationship to difficult or scary experiences. Our brilliant, once life-saving ways to push away, numb, distract, ignore the stress of fear in the long-run impacts our holistic personal and community health. And every one of us has the capacity to heal our soul wounds, our grief with a fearless heart.
When we become first, aware that fear is present, we can then greet fear with deep self-compassion. This radical act of noticing taps into our intrinsic potential to grow resilience to the hardships in life. When we grow resilience, we also grow our possibilities to live with more trust in ourselves, more ease and wonder which ripples out into all our relations, offering power and sustainability to our liberation movements.
This workshop will be facilitated from an anti-oppression approach, which means that experiences of Indigenous, Black,  and traditional ways of knowing will be privileged, lived experiences of intersectionality and oppression are welcomed with respect, humility and sacred understanding. A critical perspective on mainstream mental health and the  medical industrial complex will be woven throughout.
Is this workshop for me? Take a few moments to reflect on these questions:
 
Do I self identify as a person living the intersectionality of being a  Two-spirit, non-binary, trans, gender diverse,  Black, Indigenous, Metis, Inuit, Multi-racial, Person of Colour, racialized person, visible minority (Trans BIMPOC)?


Do I have an interest in meeting my own direct experience (feeling, thought, sensation), whatever that may be, with facilitative support?
 
Am I looking for a non-judgmental non-pathologizing space where my whole being and the wholeness of my life are welcomed?
 
How many people will be in this workshop?
Approximately 10 participants.
 
What happens in this workshop?
In the first part, information will be shared on how self-compassion from a mindfulness paradigm may benefit us and our collective well-being. Psycho-education on how fear activates our heartmindbody systems will be integrated. Poetry is also used to illustrate mindfulness and compassion concepts. A mindfulness practice will be introduced and we will engage in this practice.  In the second part, the facilitator will open the workshop for any questions or reflections on the mindfulness and compassion practice.
 
What can I expect from attending this workshop?
This is a practice based experiential workshop. You can expect to experience practices in a supportive environment which encourages you to directly gently explore your feelings, thoughts, and sensations.  

You can expect to have time and space to ask any questions related to your experience of the mindfulness practices.

You can expect to learn how mindfulness based practices and paradigm can benefit our well-being in order to strengthen our social justice, anti-colonial,  liberational activist work.
 
Can you provide an example of a mindfulness and compassion practice?
An example of mindfulness practice could be being mindfulness of the breath.
 
A self-compassion practice may be  bringing your awareness with kindness; to whatever you are experience with an allowance for the experience with kind acceptance, no rejection, no changing, no pushing away what is present.
 
Facilitator
 
Lu Lam, M. Ed. C.C.C.  is a Chinese-Taiwanese trans-identified Mindfulness Counsellor and Consultant. He gratefully acknowledges the people of the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueum), sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish), and sel̓íl̓witulh (Tsleil-Waututh) First Nations, where he works and lives as a settler learning to be a guest. Lu finds joy and is skilled in creating spaces for people to uncover who they truly are in order to re-inspire and strengthen our social justice work.  Lu brings over 18 years of front line counselling and facilitation experience to his work and is trained in mindfulness and critical diversity counselling approaches. He has a daily mindfulness practice of 10 years, is in continual mindfulness study, and regularly attends meditation retreats. www.lulam.ca
 
Peer Support Mentor: Shay Loo, BA Psych. is a mixed Chinese and Scottish trans woman from Vancouver and living on the land of the Musqueum, Squamish, and Tsleil-Waututh nations. Shay values giving back to her community and growing together through experiences. She has a certificate in narrative therapy and hopes to become to counselor in the future. She spends her time playing in the local queer sports leagues and walking along the sea wall.