Upcoming Event
Date: May 25, 2026
Time: 11 am–12:30 pm Pacific Time
Topic: SACRED MESS : Shame, Judgment & Guilt—Embracing discomfort
SACRED MESS : Shame, Judgment & Guilt—Embracing discomfort
In 1984, psychologist John Welwood coined the term spiritual bypassing, using spiritual practice to avoid rather than engage the unresolved wounds and shadow material of our human experience. Forty years later, it remains one of the most common and least examined pitfalls for spiritual leaders. The more sophisticated our practice, the better we become at it.
In this 90-minute webinar, mindfulness coach and meditation teacher Oneika Mays draws on her book Sit With Me to explore what it actually means to embrace the mess — shame, judgment, and guilt; not as failures of practice, but as the practice itself. If we can’t call ourselves in, if we can’t honor what we don’t like about ourselves, we will always struggle to show up fully for our students, clients, and communities.
We will embrace discomfort and unlearn practices that create distance from the wholeness of who we are. This is embodied work.
This is unlearning. Bring the parts of yourself you usually leave at the door.
Oneika Mays (E-RYT, CMT) is a mindfulness and meditation teacher, yoga teacher, and massage therapist who believes the most radical thing a spiritual leader can do is tell the truth about themselves. Her work, rooted in metta, embodied practice, and a no-BS approach to the hard stuff—has taken her from Rikers Island to Kripalu, the Omega Institute, Lincoln Center, and New York Insight. She has supported community wellness programs with the New York Philharmonic, Northwell Health, and New York Presbyterian, and her teachings are featured on Yoga International. She is the author of Sit With Me: A No-BS Journey to Mindfulness and Meditation (HarperOne, 2026).
Oneika Mays https://linktr.ee/oneikamays
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Whether you are a seasoned spiritual leader, a newcomer to the field, or someone interested in spiritual leadership, integrity and ethics, these meetings invite you to contribute your thoughts and experiences. Please note our events are recorded and posted on this site and on YouTube. If you speak and want your share edited out please send us an email. Join us to connect, learn, and collaborate!
Donations and Registration
We offer this event at no cost to all attendees. However, your generous support helps us continue to organize such events.
NOTE: Registration may be a 2-step process:
1. DONATE and then scroll down to the blue button to
2. REGISTER and you will be sent the zoom link.
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Thank you for your support!
Our events are usually recorded. You will find the video replays on our Past Events page and our YouTube channel, usually within 1-2 weeks. We welcome donations to support spaces for community building, learning, and growth. If you would like to be informed of upcoming events, you may subscribe to the ASI newsletter mailing list in the footer below.