Iris Escuer Riera, Lecturer of Spanish, helps the UBC community maintain a sense of wellbeing during the pandemic by organizing two initiatives: Meditation on Twin Hearts® and FHIS Wellbeing Meetups.
“The practice of regular meditations, and strengthening our social connections in a safe and responsible way, allow us to detach from our busy lives.”
Maintaining wellbeing during unprecedented times
The stress generated by the pandemic has impacted us all individually and collectively, with no exceptions. As members of the UBC community, the amount of work has multiplied exponentially, from students and faculty to administration.
The practice of regular meditations, and strengthening our social connections in a safe and responsible way, allow us to detach from our busy lives. Setting a few minutes to consciously breathe allows us to oxygenate every cell of our body, balance the emotions and the mind, which translates to recalibrating, restoring and regenerating the entire system.
Once the shift happens, we can see our reality from a different lens; with more accuracy, objectivity and understanding of the present, providing us with tools to create opportunities and to make our days more balanced and productive.
Meditation on Twin Hearts®
I have been offering the Meditation on Twin Hearts® by Choa Kok Sui to the UBC community for the past five years. When I was offering it on campus, many couldn’t find the time to walk to the venue and then back to work. Now that it has been moved online, it is just one click away, every Tuesday at 11am via Zoom.
Since the online sessions have started, we have had people from different fields attending—science, arts, engineering, the UBC Library, and even guests from Go Global—reporting an immediate positive effect on their well-being. This event has helped the UBC community grow closer and be willing to help each other.
This is the manifestation of this particular meditation: taking care of yourself, as you take care of others. This is why the meditation is called “Twin Hearts”.
Wellbeing Meet-Ups
FHIS faculty at a Wellbeing Meet-Up in Lynn Headwaters Regional Park.
The wellbeing meet-ups I organized for FHIS faculty and staff are intended to help us step out of our everyday tasks, stretch our bodies and reconnect with nature. Simultaneously, we deepen the links of solidarity and companionship with our colleagues, celebrating our community and giving each other strength and hope for a better future.
The outings we have scheduled since September have been fantastic, and the weather has helped us to be outside. Come the rain, we will still walk in nature, or take it to the magnificent museums that UBC offers.
Upcoming outings include Wreck Beach, Pacific Spirit Regional Park, Kitsilano Beach, Lynn Canyon, and the Museum of Anthropology.
As members of UBC faculty who are committed to excellence, we cannot conceive providing a wellbeing service without following the COVID-19 protocols. I feel is our duty to commit to a protocol that will provide safe activities to all. For those reasons, all meet-ups require us to keep a two meter distance, wear masks when indoors, and sign up in advance in order to keep the group small. Most of our meet-ups take place outdoors.
Feedback
I would love to hear the preferences on times and locations from people in our community interested in these outings, so further activities can be organized. Please provide your feedback and come join us!
