Four Thursdays, July 30th, August 6th, 13th, and 20th
6:00 pm - 7:30 pm PT
Online via Zoom   https://zoom.us/j/4869062176?pwd=dWtsaXBCVTdGVTFHR3BJSWFVU2VTUT09

 

In a world that frequently demands our labor, hyper-vigilance, and resilience, choosing to pause is a radical act of self-preservation. This four-week series offers a sanctuary for BIPOC women - cis and trans, as well as non-binary folks who are comfortable in spaces centered on women’s experiences - to gather, breathe, and heal.

Drawing from the traditional Buddhist teachings of the Satipatthana Sutta (The Four Foundations of Mindfulness), this course translates ancient wisdom into a modern, culturally responsive practice. Together, we will cultivate a compassionate toolkit to navigate systemic stress, honor our ancestral resilience, and reclaim our inherent right to peace and presence.

No prior meditation experience is required. Come as you are. Offered on donation.

 

Week 1: Exploring the Body as Refuge — First Foundation of Mindfulness (Kayanupassana)

Our bodies carry our stories, our histories, and often, the stored tension and trauma of navigating racialized spaces. In our first week, we return home to the body. We will practice anchoring our awareness in the breath and in the body's physical sensations without judgment. By learning to tune into the body's subtle signals, we establish a safe foundation for emotional regulation, groundedness, and bodily autonomy.

• Key Focus: Somatic grounding, breathwork, and moving from hyper-vigilance to a state of felt safety.

 

Week 2: Honoring the Waves — Mindfulness of Feelings (Vedananupassana)

Every experience we encounter triggers an initial energetic tone: pleasant, unpleasant, or neutral. For BIPOC women, the pressure to "hold it all together" often causes us to suppress these raw reactions. This week, we explore the second foundation—noticing how we react to life's pleasant and painful moments. We will practice witnessing our feelings with radical compassion, learning to ride the waves of discomfort without being swept away by them.

• Key Focus: Emotional resilience, recognizing and perhaps retiring the "Strong Black/Brown Woman"  and “Super Woman” archetypes, and practicing self-compassion.

Week 3: Holding the Mirror — Mindfulness of Mind and Mental States (Cittanupassana)

Our minds are constantly processing thoughts, narratives, and internal conditioning. This week, we step back and become the compassionate witness to our own minds. We will observe the presence of anger, anxiety, joy, or restlessness without identifying with them. By understanding the shifting weather patterns of the mind, we break free from internalized narratives of unworthiness and reclaim the narrative of our own lives.

• Key Focus: Deconstructing intrusive thoughts, decolonizing internal narratives, and cultivating mental spaciousness.

Week 4: The Art of Discerning — Mindfulness of the Dharma/Phenomena (Dhammanupassana)

In our final week, we weave everything together by examining the nature of reality and the laws of experience. We look at how the hindrances (like doubt, restlessness, or exhaustion) arise, and how we can cultivate the factors of awakening (like joy, energy, and equanimity). We will explore how to take our mindfulness practice off the cushion and into our daily lives, relationships, and collective community care.

• Key Focus: Interdependence, sustainable boundary-setting, and integrating mindfulness as an act of liberation and joy.

What to Expect Each Week:

Guided Meditations: Culturally attuned and trauma-informed practices ranging from stillness to gentle movement.
Dharma Talks & Reflection: Insightful teachings tailored to the unique lived experiences of BIPOC women.
Sacred Sisterhood Circles: Safe, facilitated breakout groups for shared storytelling, deep listening, and community connection.
Home Practices: Simple, actionable integration exercises to support your practice between sessions.

 

Zoom Link:
https://zoom.us/j/4869062176?pwd=dWtsaXBCVTdGVTFHR3BJSWFVU2VTUT09
Meeting ID: 486 906 2176
Passcode: 09JU1G

By phone:
Find your local number: https://zoom.us/u/advzKQlWaB
Meeting ID: 486 906 2176
Passcode: 560614