What's Next?

 

I am identifying as a white woman of privilege while writing to you. I wonder if remaining silent now, in this time of racial violence, is to be complicit, and I want to acknowledge that I have been somewhat frozen. I have been listening, processing, reflecting, and trying to find words to express my feelings with respect to the racism and police brutality that continues to unfold. Words are not enough, yet I want to speak up and share that I am intensely disturbed by the systemic racial injustice that exists, and has existed for so long, in North America.

I also identify as a student and teacher of yoga and mindfulness and a student of sociology, education, and psychotherapy. Ahimsa, meaning non violence, and Svadhyaya, translating as self-study, are core tenants of yoga that point me in the direction of living a balanced ethical life. They are aspirations that guide and inspire me, and of course, I fall short. Mindfulness is also an ongoing life practice that grounds and supports me - it means to see clearly. It has everything to do with waking up and examining who we are. To be mindful is to pay attention, on purpose, with our whole being, in a non-judgmental way.

I aspire to be present in my life and it is a painful place to be right now. I am feeling deeply, and trying to care for myself while at the same time not looking away. Mindfulness has taught me how to sit with my difficult emotions. To change anything, we must look at it. I know this from my own change processes and my work in the field of psychotherapy. The poet Rumi counseled with his words, “Don’t turn away. Keep your gaze on the bandaged place…” As an educator and therapist, I am contemplating what it means to be white and the immense privilege it affords me. I want to better understand my biases. We all have them and they can be subtle yet profound. This pandemic is highlighting and exposing the forms of oppression that have damaged us all: racism, sexism, ageism, classism, ableism, xenophobia, homophobia.

I am thinking about my values and questioning, to what extent do I embody and practice them? I am consciously renewing my commitment to myself and others to support justice and fairness and to stand against oppression and discrimination. I recognize that this aspiration needs to be actionable. 

Over the summer my intentions are to:

  • Educate myself about systemic oppression and white supremacy. I have ordered two books, How to Be an Anti Racist and Me and White Supremacy. I am also taking an online course on Racialized Trauma.

  • Further explore and unpack my internalized beliefs and socialization.

  • Listen to the experiences of Black, Indigenous, and People of Colour (BIPOC).

  • Apologize when I mess up.

  • Work towards inclusivity.

  • Watch TV and film and listen to podcasts from and about Black, Indigenous and People of Colour. My fifteen year old daughter suggests the movie, The Hate U Give. Consider Brene Brown’s podcast with Ibram X. Kendi on How to Be an Antiracist.

  • Engage in ongoing, hard conversations with my family, friends, and colleagues about racism and inequality.

  • Continue supporting initiatives for Black health such as:

  1. Black Mental Health Matters, a Toronto fund for Black-led Mental Health ca.gofundme.com

  2. Black Health Alliance www.blackhealthalliance.ca

  3. Women’s Health in Women’s Hands www.whiwh.com

I want to recommend that you watch Dr. Robin Diangelo speak about why it is so hard for white people to talk about racism on youtube. 

 

University of Washington professor Dr. Robin DiAngelo reads from her book "White Fragility: Why It's So Hard for White People to Talk About Racism," explains the phenomenon, and discusses how white people can develop their capacity to engage more constructively across race.

 

Perhaps my sharing may stimulate your thinking?
What actions will you be taking to support racial healing? 
I would love to hear from you.  

Compassionate Mindfulness Meditation and Breathing Sessionss

I am offering two more Compassionate Mindfulness Meditation and Breathing sessions on Zoom on Wednesday, June 10th and Wednesday, June 17th. We will then pause for the summer. 

E-mail me if you want the ZOOM link to participate.
I would love to have you and have been thrilled by the participation and feedback from this online community. 

I am considering providing these meditations again in the fall. Let me know if you are interested!  
 
Dates:  Wednesdays, June 10th and 17th

Time:  7:30 pm - 8:00 pm

Platform:  Zoom Video Conferencing

Cost:  PWYC! Suggested contribution of $5 - $10 per session (or pay in total if more convenient). E-transfer to lisamitchell@mac.com. If you can’t contribute right now, don’t let that stop you from participating.

My Online Services Continue

I continue to offer relational somatic psychotherapy and mindfulness online in addition to yoga, breathing and meditationsessions. I have been amazed by the connection that can be made this way. We are living in tough times - I am here to help you remain grounded and compassionate as you explore your feelings, work with your thoughts and beliefs, and discover healthy ways of being.

Visit my website for more information. For the foreseeable future, I will continue to provide therapy through the secure platform Doxy.me.

I am grateful for the tools of compassionate mindfulness, yoga, and psychotherapy to help me navigate this difficult and uncertain time. If you wish to benefit from these transformational tools, reach out to me. 

With humility, hope and compassion on this journey,

 

PS. Please do me a favour and share this newsletter with someone who may benefit.


Kathryn Bowen