Intention and guidelines

My intention is to create a safe space where people will come together in community to learn about mindfulness meditation, practice together, and have an authentic and truthful dialogue with one another in a way that cultivates and embodies compassion, loving kindness and understanding.

Group guidelines to create this safe space

Inclusivity: Everyone is welcome to be part of our community and to share with the group
Confidentiality: We hold all personal information shared as confidential, it will remain within the group and will only be shared with others if the sharer expressly permits it.  You are encouraged to share your individual experiences with mindfulness with people in your lives, but should not offer any details that would identify others.
Attendance: Register your attendance to the drop-in classes, and be on time. Commit to attend all the classes in a series. In order to benefit and contribute to the drop-in classes it is best to attend as regularly as possible.
Mindful speaking and listening: Try to avoid planning what you will say next as you listen to others and instead practice pause-relax-open and trust emergence. Be willing to be surprised, to learn something new. Listen with your whole self. Also attend to and speak about your own experiences and responses. Do not speak for a whole group or express assumptions about the experience of others (“I” statements)
Right to pass: You can say “I pass” if you don’t wish to speak
Advice: If you wish to follow up with anyone regarding something they said in the session, ask first and respect their wishes. Ask first before offering advice.
Acceptation and trust: Endeavour to accept and trust each other in spite of our sometimes unskilful expression of inner conflict and emotions. Cultivate compassion, loving kindness and understanding with each other.