As a community-based project, The Mindfulness Circle aspires to be an inclusive community that embodies four core values: mindfulness, compassion, gratitude, and community.
- Mindfulness: As the name suggests, mindfulness is a key element integrated into each step we take and throughout our circle’s journey. We strive to spread mindfulness in the community and hope to make it more accessible and relatable while keeping it real and meaningful. We envision our circle as a mindfulness hub where people come together to practice mindfulness and learn how to incorporate it into their daily lives.
- Compassion: We ensure that whatever we do comes from a place of love and compassion. We first show compassion to ourselves through self-care, self-acceptance, and mindfulness. Then we learn to show compassion to others through acts of kindness, loving speech and mindful listening. At the end of each circle, there are always moments dedicated to practicing loving-kindness meditation.
- Gratitude: We strongly believe in the power of gratitude. More than just a happy feeling for the parts of our lives going well, gratitude for us means embracing all that makes us who we are. It may not be easy to be grateful for the pain, but we can be grateful for the cracking open that happens and the light that pours in. We appreciate the ways we’ve grown into fuller versions of ourselves and the ways we’ve shown up to sit with ourselves through the pain, even when it’s hard. Through Heart Sharing and Reflection, we are given the opportunities to be vulnerable and cultivate gratitude.
- Community: We aim to make the circle as accessible as possible to those in need, so there is absolutely no financial obligation to participate. Everyone is welcome, regardless of their financial situation, gender, age, or ethnicity. We hold the belief that many things can be done for the good of the community without financial involvement and that no one should be turned away from their community due to financial difficulties.
Our mission is not only to hold space for those present in the circle but also to touch the lives of those around us who are marginalized and vulnerable. The circle is completely free to join. We welcome and appreciate donations from individuals and organizations, as these contributions help us sustain our mission and turn our vision into reality. We aim to be a fundraiser for local food banks and other charities, such as The Fred Hollows Foundation. That said, the practice of generosity can take many forms. We can give our time, energy, listening ear, or presence. We give through our care or our love. Making a donation is just one way to express gratitude. Leaving a handwritten note, sharing some homemade cookies, giving a hug, a smile, or paying it forward are all deeply appreciated.
