Mission
BCIMS is rooted in the Western Insight Buddhist tradition. We are committed to lessening barriers to all who are interested in exploring the Buddha’s teachings and the ongoing transmission of the Dharma. The values of Generosity, Justice, Ease of access, Responsiveness and Integrity inform our ways of working and serving the community.
BCIMS Guiding Principles
Generosity
Following the Buddhist tradition of “freely given”, BCIMS operates on the spirit of generosity and interdependence. We recognize and depend upon the wholehearted generosity of our volunteers, contractors, community and donors. We return this generosity to our communities by lowering barriers to participation as far as we are able within our means.
Responsiveness
BCIMS is responsive to the changing context of today’s world. We operate in ways that are not fossilized. We are resilient to change.
Ease of Access
BCIMS strives to make Buddhist teachings and practices broadly available to our communities in a way that is responsive to the modern context. We consider accessibility and responsiveness when making decisions about such things as logistics, financial sustainability, and psychological safety.
Justice
BCIMS strives to be a diverse and inclusive organization that applies an anti-oppression and economic justice lens to how we operate. We have a willingness to look at our blind spots with humility as part of addressing oppression.
Integrity
We recognize the connection between integrity and trust. Some ways BCIMS demonstrates integrity is through staying rooted in Buddhist traditions, practicing deep listening, care and repair, and transparency.
Contractors
Jess Lee (she/her)
Program Director
Jess is a second generation Chinese immigrant whose ancestors are from Hong Kong and Guangzhou. She currently lives on the unceded and traditional territories of the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Úxwumixw (Squamish), and səl̓ilw̓ətaʔɬ (Tsleil-Waututh) Nations. She began her meditation journey in 2015 when she participated in MBSR and MBCT courses. Since then, she has been joyfully deepening her learning through offerings from BCIMS, Spirit Rock, IMS, and other spaces, including AAPI and BIPOC communities in which she feels profound kinship and safety. She is grateful for the wisdom of teachers including Tuere Sala, Jeanne Corrigal, Nikki Mirghafori, Oren Jay Sofer, Dawn Mauricio, and many more. Jess is committed to deepening an intersectional feminist and anti-racist lens, and to ongoing learning and embodiment of decolonizing practices that are rooted in curiosity, kindness, deep listening, and community.
Corry Chaplin (she/her)
Volunteer Coordinator
Corry has practiced insight meditation for many years, and is a graduate of the Mindfulness Meditation Teacher Certification Program (with Tara Brach & Jack Kornfield). She has additional training in grief education and trauma-sensitive practices, and is a writer and workshop facilitator. Her previous roles include working as a hospice volunteer coordinator, and community learning coordinator at the BC Crisis Centre. She describes herself as a lifelong learner committed to social justice, and is engaged in initiatives that further grief literacy, and BC mental health system reform. She finds great joy in spending time with her grandchildren, and aligns her daily mindfulness practice with a deep reverence for the natural world. She feels humbled to live and work near the Fraser River in Steveston, BC, on the traditional and unceded territory of the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam) Nation.
Emily Klause (she/her)
Communications Coordinator
Emily is the descendent of European settlers who immigrated to Treaty 6 territory (Central Alberta). She honours their commitment to hard work and resourcefulness in her own work as a middle school teacher. She is passionate about connecting with young people and helping them find tools to navigate their journeys with presence and awareness. Emily lives and works in Nanaimo, the traditional territory of the Snuneymuxw First Nation.
As a young adult, she began to incline her mind toward meditation. What started as a solitary practice with the help of an app has since deepened through retreat, Mindful Self-Compassion and Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy coursework, and deepened study with Vancouver's Lab of Meditation. Learning to practice Insight Meditation in community and within activism has brought great joy, hope, and compassion to her heart. Emily is committed to supporting BCIMS’ Mission to facilitate sustainable access to the liberating teachings of the Buddha.