Spirituality

Spirituality Resources and Events

Banyen Books & Sound is a Vancouver store that specializes in spirituality-related resources. It offers a comprehensive selection of resources on human spirituality, healing, and earth wisdom traditions.

Resources Offered:
  • Wide variety of new, used, and rare books
  • Journals
  • Crystals
  • Many other spiritual resources
  • Free Webinars
Events:
  • Poetry and Storytelling Circles
  • Free Reiki training
  • Other in-person events

Introductory Sessions – Meditation, Energy Awareness, and Spiritual Practice

This introductory session provides a brief introduction to the tools for a spiritual practice, essential alignment, and healing. These techniques include centering, grounding, and spiritual language. There is also a meditative process with an introduction to assessing and healing your energy space; auras, chakras, and channels.

Session Details:
  • Introduction to foundational tools
  • Includes some teaching and some closed eye practice
  • Opportunity to experience the practice first hand
  • No prior experience necessary
  • Registration is required

Email: [email protected]
Location: Both in-person and virtual via Zoom
Upcoming Dates:
  • Sept 12th -  Nov 7th | 6 pm - 8:30 pm
  • Sept 17th -  Oct 15th | 6:30 pm - 8:30 pm
  • Oct 22nd -  Nov 19th | 6:30 pm - 8:30 pm
Cost: Free introductory course, cost associated with additional classes

Monthly Meditation Sessions [& Other Online Meditation Resources]

Support meditation practice with others through:
  • Sitting meditation
  • Walking meditation
  • Dharma talk in the afternoon
    ​
Led by:
  • Karen Lawrie
  • British Columbia Insight Meditation Society

When:  Last Saturday of the month
Location:  Mountain Rain Zen Centre 
             2016 Wall Street
​Cost:    $15 for the day [registration required]

Exploring Spirituality Online Book

Overview: 
  • A seven-week exercise of personal discovery
  • Work through the book to discover your unique spiritual path
  • The workbook can be completed individually or with others

Discussion topics include:
  • Reflection and Meaning
  • Mental health recovery
  • Spirituality
  • Transformation
  • Community

Individuals can return to the workbook and/or complete the workbook again after a period of reflection. 

Believe Out Loud

Believe Out Loud is an online community that empowers Christians to advocate for justice for LGBTQ+ people. It offers a community where friends and allies can access resources for their journeys and share their own stories of faith and advocacy.

Believe Out Loud is a digital community working to move all people toward an expansive, transformative understanding of divine love. Read and listen to the stories of others, and share your own. 

The organization also provides online resources, as well as assistance with finding welcoming churches and events around the world. 

Welcoming Organized Religious Groups in Vancouver

Spirit Pride: 
  • SpiritPride is an LGBTQ2A+ affirming event that gathers communities who want to celebrate, share, and find a place to explore spirituality and  LGBTQ2A+ Identity. The conference is a place of healing for many who have been told they can't reconcile their faith or spirituality and affirm their gender and sexual identity too
  • It is a combination of speakers, panels, breakout groups, workshops, and live music​​

Keshet:
  • Keshet is a national organization that works for full LGBTQ+ equality and inclusion in Jewish life
  • Led and supported by LGBTQ+ Jews and straight allies, Keshet cultivates the spirit and practice of inclusion in all parts of the Jewish community — synagogues, Hebrew schools, day schools, youth groups, summer camps, social-service organizations and other communal agencies. Through training, community organizing and resource development, Keshet partners with clergy, educators and volunteers to equip them with the tools and knowledge needed to be effective agents of change.
  • Find out more through their website

Muslim Alliance for Sexual and Gender Diversity (MASGD):
  • The Muslim Alliance for Sexual and Gender Diversity works to support, empower, and connect LGBTQ+ Muslims. The alliance seeks to challenge root causes of oppression, including misogyny and xenophobia, aims to increase the acceptance of gender and sexual diversity within Muslim communities, and promotes a progressive understanding of Islam that is centered on inclusion, justice, and equality.

Vancouver Unitarian:
  • Newcomers often tell us these things after walking through our doors and attending a few services and events. We hope that you too will find a community, a spiritual home, a place of support and caring, as well as plenty of intellectual and spiritual stimulation and challenge
  • For more information or to join an orientation, email [email protected] or visit the website
  • Weekly activities include worship services, arts and music events, conversation groups, and etc.
  • *Welcoming Congregation*​

 ​Christ Church Cathedral:
  • Christ Church Cathedral is a diverse, progressive, intergenerational and LGBTQIA/2S affirming church in the Anglican tradition
  • Worship activities, arts and music events, family services, talks and educational activities, etc.
  • More information here

Open Way Community Church:
  • A diverse, intergenerational, inclusive faith-based community that welcomes everyone, no matter where you come from, what you look like, whom you choose to love, or how much faith you have
  • Goal is to nurture a Christian community, in dependence on the Holy Spirit, where people feel a sense
    of belonging
  • Find more information here