Authentic Movement is a relational movement practice centered on deep listening, embodied expression, and witnessing. In this practice, one person moves while another witnesses with attentive presence, creating space to be seen in authenticity without judgment or performance. Through spontaneous movement, stillness, and reflection, Authentic Movement invites communication through the body and cultivates awareness, connection, and trust in inner experience.

Facilitator Bio: Sarah-Luella Baker (Sarah-Lu) facilitates Authentic Movement spaces focused on embodiment, presence, and relational witnessing. Their work supports participants in exploring authentic expression through movement, reflection, and compassionate observation. Sarah-Lu is a transdisciplinary artist, witch, somatic practitioner, and experiential evolutionary astrologer. An RSMT/E with an MFA in dance, they weave somatics, ritual, ancestry, astrology, and radical education in service of individual and collective liberation. Sarah-Luella is a graduate student in Mindfulness-Based Transpersonal Counseling at Naropa University. Supervisor #: Brad Byrum #T2185

When: 10 AM- noon Saturdays, Sept 12, Oct 10, Nov 7, Dec 12
Where: SE Portland, Location shared upon RSVP. We will provide the Zoom/Google Meet link or physical address after registration to support privacy and confidentiality.
Cost: Donation-based
RSVP Email: [sarah-lu@liberationinstitute.org](mailto:sarah-lu@liberationinstitute.org)

Daisy Posada Draine shares her personal journey, struggles, and experiences as a family peer support specialist. She emphasizes the importance of relational healing and the impact of the current mental health system on individuals’ access to care. The conversation delves into the challenges faced by individuals and the need for a more compassionate and accessible approach to mental health care. The conversation revolves around the theme of community, mutual aid, and collective imagination in the context of mental health and social justice. It emphasizes the power of everyday people to create change and build a world where mental health is a basic human right.

Takeaways

• Relational healing is essential for personal and community well-being.
• The current mental health system lacks accessibility and affordability, hindering individuals from receiving the care they need. Community and mutual aid are essential for creating a world where mental health is a basic human right.
• Collective imagination and everyday activism are key to building a future where people are supported and cared for.

Chapters

• 00:00 Personal Journey and Struggles
• 03:09 Relational Healing and Community Support
• 06:19 Impact of the Current Mental Health System
• 13:53 Challenges and Alternatives in Mental Health Care
• 25:39 Community and Mutual Aid
• 27:02 Imagination and Social Justice
• 32:15 Mental Health as a Basic Human Right
• 36:03 Building a Better World Together
• 43:08 Activism and Kindness

When: Wednesdays, beginning July 29, 2026

Time: 6:00-7:30 pm

Where: Online (link provided when registering)

Cost: Free

To RSVP or learn more: jean-paul@liberationinstitute.org

Positive Masculinity is a therapy group for anyone who identifies as a man, including cis and trans men. Together we’ll explore what kind of man we want to be through honest conversation, reflection, and shared experience. We’ll examine the messages we’ve inherited about masculinity with curiosity rather than judgment, exploring how they shape our relationships, work, purpose, friendship, love, fatherhood, sexuality, and the expectations we carry in a changing world. This is not about finding the “right” way to be a man, but about discovering what authenticity, integrity, and connection look like for each of us.

About the Facilitator: JP Jenkins is a clinical mental health counseling intern whose work is informed by over 30 years in the creative arts, mindfulness practice, and a deep interest in relationships, identity, and human flourishing. He integrates mindfulness, somatic awareness, and evidence-based therapeutic approaches to create spaces where people can slow down, reflect honestly, and deepen their relationships with themselves and others. JP is supervised by Brad Byrum (license #T2185)

The conversation with Sophia Moss, a licensed professional counselor associate, delves into the concept of mental wellness, the impact of the current medical model on mental health, and the hope for alternative approaches. The discussion emphasizes the interconnectedness of healing, the harm caused by conformity to societal norms, and the potential for change through critical awareness and diversity in the field of therapy. The conversation delves into the concept of hope and its role in mental wellness, exploring the idea of hope as a catalyst for change and healing. The speakers discuss the power of hope in the context of mental health as a human right, and the role of disobedience, imagination, and individual action in shaping a hopeful future.

Takeaways

• Mental wellness is about abundance, connection, and community, not just the absence of illness.
• The current mental health system perpetuates harm by encouraging conformity to societal norms and lacks critical awareness of systemic factors. Hope as a catalyst for change
• The role of disobedience, imagination, and individual action in shaping a hopeful future

Chapters

• 00:00 Hope for Alternative Approaches
• 30:46 The Power of Hope
• 35:06 Mental Health as a Human Right
• 36:12 Individual Action and Hopeful Change

Time: 6-8PM 

Where: via Google Meet

Suggested donation: $5-10 per weekly session. No one turned away for lack of funds. 

To join contact: groups@liberationinstitute.org

Time: 4:15pm

Where: via Google Meet

Suggested donation: $5-10 per weekly session. No one turned away for lack of funds. 

To join contact: groups@liberationinstitute.org

Facilitators:

The conversation explores the intersection of plant medicine, wellness, and community, highlighting the impact of cannabis legalization on mental and physical health. It delves into the concept of freedom of expression, conflict resolution, and the symbiotic relationship with nature as essential components of wellness. The conversation explores the impact of the current mental health system, the role of capitalism, and the need for collective care and individual empowerment from a young age. It also highlights the importance of community support and the radicalization of children through education.

Takeaways

• Plant medicine plays a significant role in mental and physical health, particularly in addressing issues such as PTSD and chronic pain.
• Wellness encompasses freedom of expression, conflict resolution, and a symbiotic relationship with nature, emphasizing the interconnectedness of all living things. Collective care and individual empowerment are essential from a young age.
• The impact of the current mental health system is influenced by capitalism and the need for community support.

Chapters

• 00:00 Introduction and Guest Introduction
• 05:04 The Role of Plant Medicine in Mental and Physical Health
• 13:28 The Concept of Wellness and Freedom of Expression
• 21:24 The Shift in Understanding Suffering and Healing
• 27:11 The Impact of the Current Mental Health System
• 44:36 The Role of Education in Radicalizing Children

The conversation begins with an introduction to Miko and his role at the Liberation Institute, followed by a deep dive into Miko’s personal experience and healing journey. The discussion then explores the rediscovery of tradition, understanding suffering and healing, cultural traditions and healing practices, holistic non-dual state and healing, and the challenges of the mental health system. The conversation delves into the evolution of consciousness, the medical model, cultural perspectives, the intersection of science and spirituality, the boundaries of science, ubiquitous intelligence, mental health as a human right, shifting social value, celebrating mental health journeys, radical self-care, and healing justice.

Takeaways

• Personal healing journey through spiritual practices
• Cultural traditions and their impact on healing Evolution of consciousness in the face of unprecedented times
• Shifting social value to celebrate mental health journeys

Chapters

• 00:00 Introduction to Miko and Liberation Institute
• 06:31 Rediscovery of Tradition and Spiritual Practices
• 12:21 Understanding Suffering and Healing
• 22:13 Holistic Non-Dual State and Healing
• 28:16 The Medical Model and Cultural Perspectives
• 35:06 Ubiquitous Intelligence and Mental Health as a Human Right
• 42:08 Radical Self-Care and Healing Justice

The podcast episode features a discussion with guest Alicia Navarrette, who shares insights on cannabis, plant medicine, wellness, and personal growth. The conversation delves into the impact of cannabis on health, the symbiotic relationship with plants, and the importance of freedom of expression and healthy conflict resolution in wellness. The conversation explores the power of questions in addressing societal issues, the challenges within the mental health system, and the vision of mental health as a basic human right. It emphasizes the importance of collective care, individual empowerment, and early intervention in shaping a more supportive and inclusive society.

Takeaways

• Cannabis as plant medicine
• Symbiotic relationship with plants The power of questions in addressing societal issues
• Challenges within the mental health system
• Vision of mental health as a basic human right

Chapters

• 00:00 Introduction and Birthday Wishes
• 05:32 Impact of Cannabis on Health and Wellness
• 19:11 Wellness, Expression, and Conflict Resolution
• 27:11 The Power of Questions
• 44:36 Mental Health as a Human Right