BELONGING: Second Annual LGBTQ+ Online Retreat for People Of All Colours

BELONGING: 

Second Annual LGBTQ+ Online Retreat  

A Heart Circle for LGBTQ+ People Of All Colours

with Raphael Jay Adjani, Nick, Sheila Roche

BOOKING

Event Booking is not yet possible. To register an interest, email:

Raphael@TheDeliciousDelightOfLiving.com

DESCRIPTION

MNPC's 2nd Annual LGBTQ+ Online Retreat especially welcomes LGBTQ+ People Of All Colours.

BELONGING is a space that embraces all parts and aspects of our selves where we can explore the intersectionality of sexuality, gender identity and race. 

In this space we explore the art of belonging, the great existental crisis, isolation and the longing for connection.  It is an opportunity to celebrate, honour our shared history and narratives.

BELONGING highlights the power of Mindfulness and Compassion-Focused Practice in a time of particular upheaval.  

BELONGING  involves Deepening Practices for Cultivating Presence, Healing and Empowerment Together. 

BELONGING will not be a silent retreat. It will involve a range of guided practices and talks, alongside space for group reflection and sharing: in breakout rooms as well as the group as a whole. Dedicated breakout rooms will be available to those who identify as POC. 

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 explore ways to better be with ourselves and a greater sense of belong in and community.

The retreat is accesible to anyone who has at least elmentary experience of Mindfulness and resonates equally with those who have a long standing practice.

WHAT IS MINDFULNESS, WHAT IS COMPASSION FOCUSED MEDITATION, LGBTQ+ AND POC COMMUNITIES

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. 

Compassion focused practice, supports us to better befriend ourselves and support us to better mange our inner critic and feelings such as shame. Research in theh USA evidences that nearly 80% of people find it easier to care for others than themselves. Research indiicates that individuals who are more self-compassionate tend to have greater happiness, life satisfaction and motivation, better relationships and physical health, and less anxiety and depression. They also have the resilience needed to cope with stressful life events such as divorce, health crises, and academic failure, and even combat trauma.

The disparity between the number of LGBTQ+ individuals experiencing mental ill health and the rest of the population (the average is 1 in 4 people in any given year, but in the LGBTQ+ community can reach levels as high as 70%.

People of Colour are are more likely to experience cumulative stressful events such as marginalisation, poverty and limited access to resources, which directly impacts individuals, families and communities. 

Mindfulness, Compassion-Focused practice and activities can develop a greater sense of belonging and community, which impacts signifcantly on mental helath as well as a wider sense of life purpose.

ABOUT THE TEACHERS

Raphael Jay Adjani

Raphael is a mindfulness and compassion-focused meditation teacher with over 30 years of contemplative practice. Raphael is also in private practice as an integrative psychotherapist. In addition, they work for LGBT organisation Rainbow Mind: undertaking one-to-one counselling, and teaching the pioneering mindfulness-based mental health programme, Radical Self Care.

https://www.TheDeliciousDelightOfLiving.com

Nick

Nick has been meditating for over 30 years and lived as a Buddhist monk for 6 years. His main practices are mindfulness and Loving Kindness. Nick's teaching explores how to be embodied and find healing by feeling more deeply through the body rather than trying to escape the body.

www.evolvingminds.org.uk

Sheila Roche

Sheila has facilitated the Brighton LGBTQ+ meditation group since 2002. She began meditating in the late 1980’s, and benefits from teachings from the Theravada and Tibetan Buddhist tradition. She also teaches secular Mindfulness, mainly for a local LGBTQ+ Mental Health project.

www.bodhitreebrighton.org.uk

PROVISIONAL RETREAT PROGRAMME 

N.B. We are using UK Summer Time, and including plus three additonal time zones: 2 in North America and one in Asia

13:45 (08:45 EST / 05.45 PST / 19:45 Indochina Time)

Online Doors open

14:00-14:30 (09.00 EST / 06.00 PST / 20:00 Indochina Time)

Welcome,

Introduction to the theme

intention setting ritual

with Nick, Raphael, Sheila, William

14:30 – 15.00 (10:00-10:30 EST / 07:00-07:30 PST / 21:00-21:30 Indochina Time)

‘Quest for True Belonging’ with Raphael

15.00 – 15.15 (10.30 – 10.45 EST /  07:30-07:45 PST / 21:30-21:45 Indochina Time)

Comfort Break

15.15 – 16:15 (10.45 – 11.45 EST)

Finding Ways to Nourish Ourselves through Practice with Nick

16:15 – 17:00 (11.45 – 12.30 EST)

Breakout Rooms, including rooms specificlally for POC

17.00 -18.00 (12.30 – 13.30 EST)

Main Break

18.00 – 19.00  (13.00 – 14.00 EST)

Creating Our Own Song with Sheila

19.00 - 19.45 (14.00 - 14.45)

Breakout Rooms, including rooms specificlally for POC

19.45 – 20:00 (14.45 – 15.00 EST)

Comfort Break

20.00 - 20.30 (15.00 - 15.30)

Forgiveness Meditation with William

20.30 - 21.00 (15.30 - 16.00)

Finding Your Compassionate Voice

Closing

with Nick, Raphael, Sheila, William

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 this Event

£ 40  -  Standard

£ 20  -  Supported

Free  - Economic Solidarity 

​

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.

Booking

Event Booking is not yet possible. To register an interest, email:

Raphael@TheDeliciousDelightOfLiving.com

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. 

Contact: Raphael@TheDeliciousDelightOfLiving.com