All IC Students, Staff and Faculty are invited to gather for an evening of community and belonging. 

Talk, meditation, and dialogue lead by Sebene Selassie 

About our speaker: Sebene Selassie is a writer and teacher who leads meditation, creativity, and nature-based practices for personal & collective liberation. She blends ancient wisdom and modern science to help spiritually curious people explore the profound and sacred truth of belonging. Sebene has a BA in Comparative Religious Studies and Women’s Studies from McGill University and an MA from the New School where she focused on race and cultural studies. She is trained as a meditation teacher, an integral coach, a practitioner of Indigenous Focusing Oriented Therapy for Complex Trauma (IFOT) and is a licensed hiking guide in New York State. For fifteen years, she has taught classes, workshops and retreats online and in person using her uniquely relational and relatable style (also, jokes). Sebene is a devoted student of mystic traditions, has a newfound love of clowning, and writes the popular newsletter “remind me to love." Her first book, "You Belong: A Call for Connection," was published by HarperOne in 2020. 

A message from Sebene: It's cliche to say we live in polarized times. And it's true. It's hard not to internalize the stress of the many societal fractures, especially as we navigate our own personal challenges. It's easy to feel siloed and separate. Yet, ancient wisdom and modern science reveal that there is a sacred paradox to true belonging: 1) We are not separate—absolutely everyone & everything is interconnected. And 2) We are not the same. —we are unique beings, each with our own challenges & gifts. Both are true and both are necessary to support our desires, dreams and potential. Feelings of separation, of not belonging affect our well-being, and also impact our larger reality. But feeling truly connected starts within. In this evening session we will explore the perspectives and practices that support true belonging, enabling us to center our deepest aspirations for ourselves and our world. Our time together will include a talk interspersed with short periods of meditation and contemplation (no experience necessary) and time for dialogue and Q&A as we explore that everyone belongs.*  

 [* You are included in "everyone."] 

Book signing to follow. Buffalo Street Books will be on hand with copies of Sebene’s book:  You Belong, available for purchase. 

Sponsored by CAPS, in partnership with the Center for Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging, and the Office of Religious and Spiritual Life.

Anyone requiring accommodations should email counseling@ithaca.edu as soon as possible.