MEDITATION RETREAT AT KDOL, SALT SPRING
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Latest News: Love and Care Thrives in 2023 with 142 children each day. Teachers are not subsidised unfortunately as there are many requirements that are impossible to meet. Aurelia's focus is to provide care, education and food regardless of their ability to pay full fees.
47 Masimola Rd Masiphumelele
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Over 100 children a day. Lots of mouths to feed.
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Free books for download written by Heather:
Someone I Love Died in 4 languages see books
BLACK AND BROWN LIVES MATTER- Everywhere
White people must lead to dismantle racism. We must listen to our black and indigenous community members.
. TIPS FOR UNCERTAIN TIMES
COVID 19 can bring up grief, anxiety and discord. Sometimes we avoid by eating too much, drinking or numbing (have you bought more online lately?), but it can prove to be a time of growth. Here are a few suggestions to deal with feelings humbly offered:
Grief and sadness is an expression of love. It wells up, tears come and release past hurts. Think of the ocean tides coming and going. Notice your breath and the body's response to the grief, allowing yourself to feel it fully. It will then settle and there may be more waves, but know they rise and fall. Be aware of your tender heart and be kind, accepting this as real and yours. Khalil Gibran in his book, The Prophet, said that the more sadness carves into your being the more room there is for joy. This doesn't refer to the amount of sadness, but more the space we make by feeling and allowing it in our bodies.
Anxiety is often uncomfortable and familiar. Notice what happens in your body when you feel anxious. Now notice how your thinking mind is keeping the anxiety going with all its thoughts. Say "Stop, this is not good for me. Even though I am feeling anxious I am present and kind to myself." Then return to your body sensations. You will probably have to keep pulling the attention back to the body, as the mind likes to think it is in control. Kindness towards self or self-compassion is a necessary practice that eventually leads to happiness.
Discord in relationships happens when we think we are right, we are feeling frustrated or angry and when we are projecting our discontent onto someone else or a situation. Feel your feet on the ground, take your time to ground yourself. As you pay attention to your body sensations say to yourself, "I am here now." Listen and relax any tightening (unless you are in danger). Notice your breath coming in and out until you feel your natural breath. Stay open, but present to your own body. If you want or need to respond, don't defend, justify or judge yourself or the other person. Take your time and speak when you feel ready. If you feel anxious, know you are scaring yourself and come back to your body.
We each need to be at home in ourselves. The practice of breath and being aware in the body brings us home. Let's come home.
Heather Ferris is a White settler in both Canada and South Africa. This underlies her work as a Psychotherapist, Counselor, Activist, Author and Workshop Facilitator working internationally. She has an office in Duncan BC, Canada. She is also a Clinical Supervisor for counselors and a Counselor Educator. She is registered with the Canadian Counseling and Psychotherapy Association. Her work is influenced by Buddhist psychology (a compassionate, heart-centred approach to leadership, relationship and livelihood), family constellation theory, existential phenomenological psychotherapy, mindfulness, somatic, energy psychology, and neuropsychology, as well as traditional approaches and rich, varied life experiences.
Heather has many years of experience working with individuals, couples and families. She also leads professional development workshops and team building sessions; more recently White privilege and anti-racism work.
Heather has been working in South Africa and Zimbabwe for many years focusing on the healing and empowerment of women for the benefit of children and the communities in which they live. She uses body-centred approaches, energy work, mindfulness and popular education methods. She is committed to high-lighting how white people (her people) continue to perpetuate racism, white supremacy and white saviour roles and bringing attention to human rights abuses through systemic racism apparent in local agencies and court systems. In Cape Town , South Africa she is currently supporting the Love and Care Day Centre in the racialized takeover bid of a group of white people which is playing out through the courts. In Canada Heather supports young indigenous mothers who have had their children taken and in some cases harmed.
Heather's community interests are with Healing and reconciliation of those affected by apartheid and residential schools and developing community empathy; working with Syrian newcomers; Cowichan Valley Hospice; and SEVA Foundation Canada, providing the relief of blindness internationally.
International affiliations: Rokpa Nepal, Rokpa - Chitungwiza, Zimbabwe, Kufunda, Zimbabwe, Khayelitsha Grief Support, Love and Care Day Centre, Khululeka all in Cape Town, Seva foundation Canada
Heather and her husband Gary teach meditation and are committed to a life of simplicity and service. If you want to simplify, ask yourself, "Is this a need or is it a want?" and then stick with the needs only. We can ask ourselves what is enough? Lao Tzu replies, "One who knows when enough is enough, always has enough."
Trauma
Energy-field psychology, body-centred psychotherapy and mindfulness form the basis for Heather's work in the area of trauma. The mindful presence of the therapist is essential as she helps the client notice his or her breath, feelings about a traumatic incident and begin to activate the heart-mind to bring coherence to the nervous system. In this way cortisol levels reduce. To interrupt recurring patterns, tapping of energy points can be used on the body, while acknowledging what is happening at the same time as speaking in loving and accepting ways.
PTSD requires a limbic response to maintain itself and this is re-activated through further stress. Together we create safety through the body and the help of broader systemic work and slowly with awareness we can recognise what is going on.
COVID 19 can bring up grief, anxiety and discord. Sometimes we avoid by eating too much, drinking or numbing (have you bought more online lately?), but it can prove to be a time of growth. Here are a few suggestions to deal with feelings humbly offered:
Grief and sadness is an expression of love. It wells up, tears come and release past hurts. Think of the ocean tides coming and going. Notice your breath and the body's response to the grief, allowing yourself to feel it fully. It will then settle and there may be more waves, but know they rise and fall. Be aware of your tender heart and be kind, accepting this as real and yours. Khalil Gibran in his book, The Prophet, said that the more sadness carves into your being the more room there is for joy. This doesn't refer to the amount of sadness, but more the space we make by feeling and allowing it in our bodies.
Anxiety is often uncomfortable and familiar. Notice what happens in your body when you feel anxious. Now notice how your thinking mind is keeping the anxiety going with all its thoughts. Say "Stop, this is not good for me. Even though I am feeling anxious I am present and kind to myself." Then return to your body sensations. You will probably have to keep pulling the attention back to the body, as the mind likes to think it is in control. Kindness towards self or self-compassion is a necessary practice that eventually leads to happiness.
Discord in relationships happens when we think we are right, we are feeling frustrated or angry and when we are projecting our discontent onto someone else or a situation. Feel your feet on the ground, take your time to ground yourself. As you pay attention to your body sensations say to yourself, "I am here now." Listen and relax any tightening (unless you are in danger). Notice your breath coming in and out until you feel your natural breath. Stay open, but present to your own body. If you want or need to respond, don't defend, justify or judge yourself or the other person. Take your time and speak when you feel ready. If you feel anxious, know you are scaring yourself and come back to your body.
We each need to be at home in ourselves. The practice of breath and being aware in the body brings us home. Let's come home.
Heather Ferris is a White settler in both Canada and South Africa. This underlies her work as a Psychotherapist, Counselor, Activist, Author and Workshop Facilitator working internationally. She has an office in Duncan BC, Canada. She is also a Clinical Supervisor for counselors and a Counselor Educator. She is registered with the Canadian Counseling and Psychotherapy Association. Her work is influenced by Buddhist psychology (a compassionate, heart-centred approach to leadership, relationship and livelihood), family constellation theory, existential phenomenological psychotherapy, mindfulness, somatic, energy psychology, and neuropsychology, as well as traditional approaches and rich, varied life experiences.
Heather has many years of experience working with individuals, couples and families. She also leads professional development workshops and team building sessions; more recently White privilege and anti-racism work.
Heather has been working in South Africa and Zimbabwe for many years focusing on the healing and empowerment of women for the benefit of children and the communities in which they live. She uses body-centred approaches, energy work, mindfulness and popular education methods. She is committed to high-lighting how white people (her people) continue to perpetuate racism, white supremacy and white saviour roles and bringing attention to human rights abuses through systemic racism apparent in local agencies and court systems. In Cape Town , South Africa she is currently supporting the Love and Care Day Centre in the racialized takeover bid of a group of white people which is playing out through the courts. In Canada Heather supports young indigenous mothers who have had their children taken and in some cases harmed.
Heather's community interests are with Healing and reconciliation of those affected by apartheid and residential schools and developing community empathy; working with Syrian newcomers; Cowichan Valley Hospice; and SEVA Foundation Canada, providing the relief of blindness internationally.
International affiliations: Rokpa Nepal, Rokpa - Chitungwiza, Zimbabwe, Kufunda, Zimbabwe, Khayelitsha Grief Support, Love and Care Day Centre, Khululeka all in Cape Town, Seva foundation Canada
Heather and her husband Gary teach meditation and are committed to a life of simplicity and service. If you want to simplify, ask yourself, "Is this a need or is it a want?" and then stick with the needs only. We can ask ourselves what is enough? Lao Tzu replies, "One who knows when enough is enough, always has enough."
Trauma
Energy-field psychology, body-centred psychotherapy and mindfulness form the basis for Heather's work in the area of trauma. The mindful presence of the therapist is essential as she helps the client notice his or her breath, feelings about a traumatic incident and begin to activate the heart-mind to bring coherence to the nervous system. In this way cortisol levels reduce. To interrupt recurring patterns, tapping of energy points can be used on the body, while acknowledging what is happening at the same time as speaking in loving and accepting ways.
PTSD requires a limbic response to maintain itself and this is re-activated through further stress. Together we create safety through the body and the help of broader systemic work and slowly with awareness we can recognise what is going on.
Mindfulness development associates have been providing Trauma workshops to help community members, school teachers, parents, newcomers and staff of non-profit agencies recognize trauma responses (their own and with others) and calm nervous systems through a mindful and energy approach. Contact us: heather@mindfulnessdevelopment.com
Counseling and consulting: Heather works with individuals (adults and children), couples and families as well as organisational groups (see below about Heather Ferris)
Focus: Using Mindfulness awareness of the heart-mind to help deal with anxiety, depression and trauma.
Organise a workshop in your organization in which I teach mindfulness and self compassion
Participants have said :
I can't begin to tell you how my life has changed. I feel less anxious.
I have started meditation practice and trying to do it every day. It really helps.
I have come back to a regular practice. It has been really helpful to meditate with others and discuss our learning.
The kindness in the group has meant so much.
Meditation retreats in Canada and internationally led by Heather and her partner Gary Greenstein
Next retreat hopefully in May, 2022 on Salt Spring Island, BC Canada
Development work: After 20 years spending months in South Africa and Zimbabwe each year Heather is stepping back to focus on family, writing and work locally (still of course connected to the dear friends and colleagues there). She is however standing in solidarity with Aurelia Kaitesi of Love and Care as she keeps the pre-school in the hands of the community members. Human rights are important and so easily disregarded by systems set up in the old ways.
Welcome to the Syrian refugees. We are happy to have you as our neighbors in the Cowichan Valley. please let us know your needs, we will try our best to learn from you and so enrich our society.
A message from Thich Nhat Hanh, a Vietnamese monk and precious Buddhist teacher.
"If our hearts are big we can be like the river. When our hearts are small our understanding and compassion are limited and we suffer."
"If our hearts are big we can be like the river. When our hearts are small our understanding and compassion are limited and we suffer."
