AMS2022 Learning Session

Unlearning Internalized Misogyny: Mindfulness for Women

As we strive towards inclusion, social justice, and the compassionate view that every single person matters, it’s vital to address and heal the myriad ways women unavoidably internalize the sexist and misogynistic attitudes inherent in patriarchy. The archaic and invalid view that the female gender is lesser and must be dominated by men continues to permeate our world on so many dimensions, from discriminatory laws and social norms, to terrible violence inflicted on women and girls, to the powerful and unseen inner conditioning of our hearts and minds. Even when we intellectually believe in gender equality, never-the-less we all have patriarchal wounds embedded in our ancestry, lineage and life experiences that condition women to disconnect from their authenticity, negate and diminish themselves, lose their voice, and relinquish their power to others. The fact that women suffer from 2-3 times more anxiety and depression than men reflects the chronic suffering of this wounded sense of self. In this precarious time of such world-wide polarization, aggression and uncertainty, more than ever we need the wisdom and strength of every women’s intelligence and gifts to help guide our way a world with greater compassion, freedom, health, and sustainable planetary peace.

Based on a successful pilot study and class I’ve been teaching for over 20 years, the purpose of this workshop is to bring the light of awareness to the common ways women’s internalized misogyny and sexism plays out in our hearts, minds and behaviours, learn specific mindfulness practices that diminish the power of these oppressive beliefs and habits, and learn to accept and fully inhabit our authentic self so we gain the confidence to fully empower ourselves to be all that we are. We will explore this through inner reflections and guided mindfulness practice. Participants will leave with specific practices that rebuild connection and trust in authentic self.

Mare Chapman, M.A.

Mare Chapman, M.A., is a mindfulness-based psychotherapist, mindfulness teacher, consultant, and author. Building on forty years of clinical experience and thirty years of studying and practicing mindfulness, she is devoted to understanding how cultural gender conditioning trains women to disconnect from their authenticity, thereby losing their voice and power, and how mindfulness can be applied to transform these habits so women can lived fully empowered, vibrant and healthy lives. Her book, “Unshakeable Confidence, the Freedom to be our Authentic Selves: Mindfulness for Women”, is based on the class she’s been teaching to women for over 20 years. Her audio podcasts, dharma talks, and guided meditations are available at her websites: www.marechapman.com and www.marechapmanauthor.com.