Belonging, LGBTQIA+ Retreat

'Belonging'  

Global retreat online LGBTQIA+ heart circle for people of colour 

The Power of Mindfulness in a Time of Upheaval: Deepening Practices for Cultivating Presence, Healing and Empowerment Together. There are few spaces which explore the intersectionality of sexuality, gender identity and race. In this space we explore the art of belonging, the great existental crisis, isolation and longing for connection. An opportunity to celebrate, honour our shared history and narratives. 

What is mindulness and LGBTQIA+ communties. 

Mindfulness is paying attention to our whole experience in a particular way and time, non-judgementally. Mindfulness is a relatively new 'technology' in the West. People of colour are under-represented in mindfulness groups, workshops and training pathways. We are more likely to experience cumulative stressful events such as marginalisation, poverty and limited access to resources, which directly impacts individuals, families and communities. The value, concepts and adaptability of mindfulness are yet to make an impact on marginalised communities.

Together, through inquiry, talks and mindfulness practices, we will explore and confront our habits. We will also explore patterns around noticing, accepting, investigating and confronting bias and facing injustice - in our daily lives and the world. We are examining how mindfulness supports all of us, inwardly and outwardly. To create a saner, more equitable world without compromising equanimity, compassion and our experience of common humanity.

Presenter:  William Fley - Founder and Director

William is a clinician in private practice with a speciality in 'Absent fathers' and trauma. A fully accredited member of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy and Breathworks Mindfulness, he is the founder of MNPC. He holds Master's degrees from Birkbeck College, the University of London and Roehampton University. Working within community organisations in marginalized communities, William aims to bring awareness of racialized trauma through mindfulness-based interventions. He continues to pursue his passion to eliminate the cultural and other barriers to accessing mindfulness, by encouraging cultural awareness and responsiveness.

Presenter: Maria Pilar Pina

Is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and Certified Reiki (L3) Practitioner providing therapeutic services in private practice focused on the holistic integration of a healthy mind, body and spirit, specializing in the areas of Mind-Body (Somatic) Therapy, Sex-Positive Therapy, Lesbian, Gay, Bi-Sexual, Transgender, Questioning, Intersex, Asexual (LGBTQIA+) affirmative care, and Multicultural affirmative care. Maria Pilar has been providing therapeutic services for over 15 years using diverse, interactive and highly individualized tailored approaches, while committing to the sustaining of these practices in service to community by fully engaging in individual and collective practices in mindfulness, somatic meditation, ancestral connectivity and healing.

Presenter : Ade Adeniji 

Adé Adeniji is a certified Coach, Group Facilitator, Consultant, Interfaith Minister & Spiritual Counsellor. He is a Certified Daring Way™ and Dare to Lead™️ Facilitator, programmes based on the research of Dr Brené Brown which explore topics such as vulnerability, courage, shame, empathy and worthiness. Adé is co-founder of ‘The Quest for Gay Men’, a UK-based social enterprise that delivers personal development programs aimed at transforming the relationships gay, bi and queer men have with themselves, others and the world they inhabit. As a practitioner Adé adopts a holistic approach in all aspects of his work, this involves working with individuals, teams and organisations to give voice to making the implicit explicit, with a view to having conscious courageous conversations and showing up wholeheartedly. Ade is passionate about exploring the individual’s inner landscape to see how that plays out in day-to-day interactions. He is also keen on helping clients cultivate the necessary habits for consistent emotional hygiene.

Presenter : Gurnam Bubber

A member of the Triratna Buddhist tradition for over 15 years. He is an active member of the Triratna gender diverse sangha. Two years ago he started a personal journey of deeper reflection on meditation practice, Buddhist dharma and his own experience of intersectionality as a trans person of colour. Gurnam is particularly interested in exploring what could help support the particular needs of queer BIPOC folk which may not be met in traditional mindfulness settings. How can we create mindfulness spaces that nourish ourselves and build capacity, how can we do this as individuals through our practice? As a queer nature writer, he is inspired by the beauty of wilderness, both internal and external. He is awed by the many ways that nature can heal and provide for us, helping us traverse our life experiences. He would like to see natural spaces and landscapes reclaimed by BIPOC and LGBTQIA+ folk as spaces we have always inhabited and spaces for us to grow and thrive.

Retreat programme - Saturday December 12th

1:45 Online Doors open 

We will be logging in 3 different times zones 

14.00 (9.00 EST/6.00 PST) 

Welcome, Introduction to the topic and intention setting ritual - William, Maria Pilar, Ade, Gurnam

15.00 – 15.30 (10.00 – 10.30 EST) ‘Quest for True Belonging’, Presentation with Ade Adeniji

15.30 – 15.45 (10.30 – 10.45 EST) Comfort break

15.45 – 16.45 (10.45 – 11.45 EST) Finding ways to nourish ourselves through practice, introduction to Lama Rod’s 7 homecomings practice with Gurnam Bubber 

16:45 – 17.30 (11.45 – 12.30 EST) Breakout rooms 

17.30 -18.30 (12.30 – 13.30 EST)  Main Break 

18.30 – 19.00  (13.30 – 14.00 EST) Creating Our Own Song with Maria Pilar Pina

19.00 - 19.45 (14.00 - 14.45) - Breakout rooms 

19.45 – 20:00 (14.45 – 15.00 EST) - Comfort Break 

20.00 - 20.30 (15.00 - 15.30) Forgiveness meditation with William Fley

20.30 - 21.00 (15.30 - 16.00) Finding your compassionate voice - Inner Belonging Practice with Ade Adeniji

9:00- 9:30  Ending and Goodbyes

Solidarity Economy 

We offer our retreats in the spirit of solidarity, and we’re committed to challenging economic marginalisation and exclusion. Consumerism and capitalism strongly condition our relationships with each other and the world. We become producers and consumers, insulated from more responsive engagement with each other. Our relationships become mediated by way of financial exchange and contracts. We want to enter into a wholehearted relationship as co-producers and collaborators in the transformation of ourselves and our world.

Cost:

£ 90 Sponsor 

£ 40 Standard

£ 20 supported 

£ Free - Economic Solidarity 

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We believe that the practice of mutual generosity constitutes a fundamental ethos at the heart of a life-affirming community. Sharing is a basic form of solidarity.

FAQ

What if I can't attend all sessions during the event?

We would prefer everyone to attend all sessions. However, we appreciate that this may not always be possible because of people's home environment/personal circumstances/connection. 

Recordings 

We will not record any presentations.  

Please be aware that the program is subject to change if circumstances occur beyond our control, such as technological issues. 

The concept and technology of a global online retreat:

Retreatants are responsible for providing their supportive environment at home, which should be conducive to learning and to being fully present with the group. A supportive environment includes having all 'phones switched off and no interruptions from anyone, suitable clothing, being able to arrive in the space on time, and microphones muted needed. Please note that participants are responsible for their own mental health. However, if you feel the need to speak to someone about triggers and areas of concern, please let one of the group facilitators know. 

If you have any questions, please contact our retreat coordinator - info@mnpc.co.uk 

Electronic devices

Please turn off all 'phones and other electronic devices, and ensure that you have privacy. Be ready to participate!

Professional development certificates

For those who require them, certificates for 6 hours of CPD will be available.

To become a friend or member of MNPC please see our website for details.

Terms and conditions

Please note that we will make every effort to provide all elements of the event as advertised. However, MNPC will not be liable if an aspect of an event is not available due to circumstances beyond our control, such as significant signal disruption. MNPC will make all reasonable efforts to provide an alternative.

Cancellation

We operate on a not-for-profit basis, relying on the support of many volunteers.  In the unlikely event the retreat does not run we will be unable to offer any refunds.

MNPC offers face-to-face programs on a 'not-for-profit' basis.

Many dedicated people give countless hours to make this all possible. We factor in costs including website, social media & marketing, IT, insurance, books & materials, presenters' fees, venue hire (for offline retreats) and admin costs for the eight people on our management team.

We can assure you that the income for each online retreat is well spent and managed. 

We appreciate your support.

William Fley,

Director