Navigate “Othering” for Engaged Community Change

This is a 3-month bi-weekly practice group series facilitated by Ikela Lewis. The focus is on cultivating mindfulness and compassion in the way we see other people, especially those who are oppressed or disregarded by society – and to use the cultivation of these qualities to make a practical difference within one’s community. Within this series, we will be following a model of “social prescribing” in which we support one another in kick-starting small projects to benefit our community – particularly those who sit on the periphery of our culture’s view. By holding a space of openness, kindness, and freedom, we aim to support one another in actualizing our heart’s calling to create meaningful change within this time of transition and uncertainty.

Although there is no need to commit to the entire series, it is strongly recommended that you do come to all sessions as the end goal of this series is to empower you with a practical and tangible action plan to support your community – fueled by the warmth of compassion and mindfulness. Please do arrive on time and come just as you are.

After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.

 Ikela Lewis is a mindfulness-based substance use counselor at a non-profit addiction treatment center in Carson City, NV where he works primarily with individuals in overcoming an addiction to heroin and methamphetamine. He holds a BA in Psychology from Sierra Nevada College and will soon be beginning a MA in Transpersonal and Mindfulness-Based Clinic Mental Health Counseling. He was a speaker at the 2019 UCLA Psychology Undergraduate Research Conference and the 2019 NURS Undergraduate Research Conference. He is the founder of the Sierra Nevada  College Meditation Sangha and practitioner of mindfulness meditation within the Dhamra Zephyr Meditation Insight Community. Ikela has a deep passion for the multi-faced practices of mindfulness and compassion-based meditation, as well as the utilization of holistic and spiritual practices as a means to make meaningful change within his community.