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ABOUT

The Practice of Movement and Meditation provide an opportunity to slow down, notice that time is precious, expression of love matters, and experience how all of life is truly interwoven.  Through movement and stillness, we work beyond language, to see clearly, shift our own habits and support the outer world in endless ways.  My offerings are informed through a dynamic intersection of secular Buddhism, psychology, yoga, somatic movement, sound, breath, contemplation, writing and creative thirst.  We are looking inside our bodies, orienting with the outer world and encouraging dialogue wherever possible. These practices are strong, gentle, and accessible in the same way we might want our lives to be.

I am a Buddhist Chaplain trained at Upaya Zen Centre, student of Roshi Joan Halifax and lay-ordained in the Soto Zen Prajna Mountain Order.  Chaplaincy guides me to consider how I might come along side the ways people suffer, while supporting the restoration of goodness and joy in bodies, heart/mind, and the world.  My current work explores The Domestic Monastery, community life, ritual/ceremony, cultural anxiety, trauma, addiction, consumption of information technology, time, and the greater impact on the future of our world.  How does self-care and spiritual formation serve as a collective 'we care' ultimately unfolding our greatest aspirations for parenting, partnership, intimacy, ecological connection, meaningful work, and influence on generations moving forward.

 

I am a Buddhist Chaplain at the University of British Columbia Okanagan, Third Space Charity and visiting Chaplain to Kelowna General Hospital. 

 

As you might have guessed, I love studentship, the art of collaboration and have the honour of working with amazing community leaders, Buddhist Practitioners, Clinical Counsellors, Yoga & Movement Specialists, and Wilderness Guides. I just finished all of my grad school course work and comprehensive exams. I am now a Masters Clinical Counselling Candidate and beginning internship at UBCO and Interior Health Physician Groups.

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I am married, have three grown children (young adults), two big dogs, and a home tucked into the woods with chores that are never complete.  I used to work as a Music & Recreation Therapist, Addiction Counsellor, and Director of a not-for-profit organization, but then everything changed.  Everything is still shifting and moving today.

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Passionate work projects include:

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  • Education Chaplain, Third Space Counselling & Charity

  • Buddhist Chaplain, University of British Columbia Okanagan, Multi-faith Services and Care.

  • Coping with Covid-19 Practices for Stability & Resilience, Canadian Dentists.

  • Supporting Resilience - Meditation & Movement for Front-line workers, Shift Education.

  • Affiliate Practitioner, The Breathe Network for Survivors of Sexual Assault.

  • Ethical Engagement Educator, The Lab of Meditation 200 hour Teacher Training.

  • Annual Meditation & Yoga/Movement Retreat, Costa Rica

  • Annual Meditation & Yoga/Movement Retreat, Portugal

  • Spirit of Zen Meditation Retreats, Stowel Lake Farm, Salt Spring Island. 

  • Chaplain Residency, Somatic Movement, Karis Addiction Recovery Centre for Women

  • Dharma-Inspired Wilderness Expeditions for Teens

  • Mindfulness & Compassion Training.

  • Annual Fall & Spring In Depth Practice Period Series, MODO Yoga

  • Addiction Recovery Retreats, Shift Education & ENSO Society

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Training:

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2000 + Hours Buddhist Chaplaincy Training - Upaya Zen Centre - Roshi Joan Halifax & Faculty.

Batchelor of Music Therapy, Capilano University 

Graduate Diploma, Human Resource Management

Masters Clinical Counselling Psychology Candidate

Masters of Divinity Candidate

Secular Buddhist Studies - Stephen Batchelor

1000 + Hours Silent Meditation Retreat -  Soto Zen Sesshin

One Year Advanced Trauma Informed Mindfulness - David Treleaven

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500 Hour Yoga Teacher Training - Michael Stone

200 Hour Meditation Teacher Training - Michael Stone

500 Hour Anusara Teacher Training - Karen Sprute Francovich, Michael Siddal, John Friend, Desire Rumbaugh, Sianna Sherman, Paul Muller Ortega, Douglas Brooks.

100 Hour Yoga Therapeutics - Ross Rayburn

100 Hour Restorative Teacher Training - Judith Hanson Lasater

100 Hours Trauma Informed Training - The Breathe Network

Somatic Training, Annie Bray

 

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