NAVIGATING THE MEDIAL SYSTEM MINDFULLY: A WORKSHOP FOR PEOPLE WITH CHRONIC MEDICAL CONDITIONS

Navigating the medical system is challenging for many people, but particularly for those with chronic pain and illness. Challenges can include: medical staff invalidating and ignoring patient concerns; being treated like an object instead of as a full human being; past microtraumas with the medical system impeding a patient’s ability to communicate what is important; not trusting one’s own inner authority; and so many more. These cumulative challenges lead to misdiagnoses, delayed treatment, and poor health outcomes.

This workshop is designed to help participants with chronic pain and illness (or their loved ones) to cultivate and utilize mindfulness-based skills for the purpose of helping to navigate the medical system more skillfully. The workshop will include a mix of meditation and mindfulness practices, along with practical strategies and perspectives related to the medical system and personal health care.

The instructors are experienced mindfulness meditation teachers who have lived experience with chronic health issues. They will be sharing tips, practices, and perspectives that have directly helped them in their own treatment paths.

This workshop is associated with the 17-week course Inviting Chronic Pain and Illness to Tea (ICPIT) -- the next course starts in January 2025. This workshop is appropriate both for course graduates as well as for those who have not taken the ICPIT course. No meditation experience is required.