Mission

Laura’s interest in meditation began in her late twenties after she was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis and was searching for tools to manage the physical and emotional symptoms of the disease. She is a second generation immigrant settler whose ancestors are from Southern and Central Italy and currently resides at Nexwlélexm (Bowen Island), located on traditional Indigenous territory. Mentored by Bonnie Duran, Laura is a participant in the Dedicated Practitioner Program 7 at Spirit Rock, where she continues to deepen her practice and understanding of the Dharma. She has a particular interest in trauma-informed and embodied practices of liberation for self and all beings. In addition to leading a weekly meditation group, she has been volunteering on the Board at BCIMS since 2019.

Juno is a creative generalist committed to liberation for all beings. Juno first began meditating in their childhood, but let go of that practice in their 20s. After multiple burnouts marked by deep suffering, their healing journey connected them to Buddhism. Their practices have touched on multiple traditions, spending the bulk of their time with BCIMS, Radical Dharma, and InsightLA. Juno's intention is to explore and cultivate the conditions for all beings to connect to deep embodiment by investigating our collective traumas, shaping and conditioning.

Michelle has been taking refuge in the Buddha, Dharma and Sangha for 20 years. She lives, with her partner, in North Vancouver. Michelle is very happily retired and enjoys walks with her partner and friends, golfing, sitting retreats and volunteering for BCIMS. She spends time with her 100 year-old mother and lots of BC and Manitoba family.

Michelle completed the Dedicated Practitioner Program and co-leads an online North Van sitting group.

Sānta has practiced in the Vipassana tradition for over 30 years. She has sat many long retreats and has completed both the Dedicated Practioners Program (2010) and the Advanced Practitioners Program (2017) at Spirit Rock. She has been greatly influenced by the teachings of Ajahn Sumedho, with her main Vipassana teachers being Guy Armstrong, Phillip Moffitt, Adrianne Ross and Venerable Analayo. She has also studied with teachers in the Tibetan tradition, particularly Tsoknyi Rinpoche. Authorized by Adrianne Ross and Phillip Moffitt she leads sitting groups and teaches classes. A former Professor of Dance at SFU, choreographer and dancer, she taught movement and improvisation from a place of mindfulness of body, mind and heart. And her aspiration has been to live and to share practices attuning the heart to the reality of the dharma for the liberation of all beings.

Jim lives on Gambier Island and in East Vancouver. He is a semi-retired lawyer. In his legal career he worked in BC’s legal aid system for several years. Later, he represented consumers in telecommunication and utility regulation hearings, and conducted social justice litigation. He acts for workers and trade unions in labour law and regulatory matters. He has been practicing meditation since 2014. His practice has a central place in his relationship with himself and the world. He plays the fiddle and is an avid gardener. He has four grandchildren. He and his partner are celebrating their 50th anniversary in 2023. He has long been active in community politics.

Rachel Lewis began practicing insight meditation in 2003, while completing her physics PhD at Yale. Since 2011, she has taught dharma and meditation classes and retreats in British Columbia and beyond. She completed the IMS/IRC 4-year teacher training in 2021, and is a guiding teacher of the British Columbia Insight Meditation Society. Her dharma teaching interests include the power of music, humour, and creativity to increase our capacity for learning, as well as the way that practice supports and is supported by social justice work.

Ruth began her professional life in private sector finance, but soon escaped overseas to volunteer on a nature reserve. On returning home a career re-think was called for, and after spells running a willow coffin weaving social enterprise and setting up a community café, she combined her love of spreadsheets and social justice and now supports local non-profits in the areas of finance and governance.

In her spare time, she enjoys yoga as well as running, walking or sitting amongst the trees. She has a particular interest in mindful movement practices.

Ruth was introduced to meditation in 2014 but drifted away until a chance invitation to attend a retreat on Salt Spring Island in 2018 gave her a new perspective. She has spent many years volunteering with animal welfare and environmental protection organisations and hopes to benefit all beings through practice and service with BCIMS.