Abouttheauthor:JoInkpin

The Revd Dr. Josephine Inkpin is anAnglican priest and a transgenderwoman, with many years experience ofministryandadvocacyforamoreloving,just, and peaceful world. She currentlylivesandworksinBrisbaneasaLecturerinTheologyandiscloselyinvolvedinandbeyond the life of her own faithcommunity and in building up strengthandopportunitiesforgenderdiverseandother frequently marginalised people.She is one of a growing number ofLGBTI+ faith leaders across the world

andshegivesthanksforallthepioneerswhohavemadeitpossibleforherownspirittoflourish–thisofferingispartoftryingto‘passiton’…

SomelinkstootherresourcesTransSpiritFlourishing-https://www.transspirit.orgJoInkpin’sresource&blogseeking:*toshedlightontransgenderlife&spiritualunderstanding*tohelpdevelopsupport&encouragementfortransjourneys*toenlargeanddeepenspiritualandreligiouslifeTheSibyls-http://sibyls.gndr.org.uka UK-based (but with some Australian members) confidential Christianspiritualitygroupfortransgenderpeople,theirpartnersandsupportersEqualVoices-https://equalvoices.org.auconnecting LGBTIQ+ people and advocates across the Australian churches-includingatrans&genderdiversepeople’snationaltaskforceTransfaith-http://www.transfaithonline.orga USA–based multi-tradition, organization supporting trans spiritual work

DefenceAgainsttheDarkArts

*Nurturingourspirits

*Dealingwithspiritualshaming&oppression

*Exploringspiritualresourcestohelpusflourish

ThingsareimprovingforLGBTIQ+people!…yetthere isstillawaytogo inaffirminggenderdiversepeopleandcelebratingourgifts.Homophobia&transphobiaarerealandcomeinmanyforms,somesubtleandunconsciousbutnonethelessdestructive.For our world also inculcates internal dis-ease. Religious and otherspiritualinfluenceshavesadlyplayedtheirpart.Nowonderthespiritsofgenderdiversepeoplecansometimesbeatalowebb.

Thegoodnewsisthatwecanflourish–evenwhentransphobiaandhomophobiaisevidentaroundus.Thispamphletoffersafewpracticalwaystodoso,sharingsomepointerstospiritualpracticeswhichcanprovidepositivegrowth

and‘defenceagainstthedarkarts’.

Ontransformingspiritually-basedshame&prejudiceThis leaflet is intended for people of all spiritual outlooks, includingthosewho have suffered from damage that certain ‘religious’ peoplecan inflict. Asaresult, insomecases, it iswise todistanceourselves

completely from religious triggers.However, as gender diverse peopleare found in all spaces, including allfaiths – and as a source both ofstrength and challenge - somepositive resources from the world’sgreat wisdom traditions are alsohelpful. For theworlds’ religionsarenothing but diverse and continually

changing(ifoftenpainfullyslowly)andsomemayfindsupportthere.Itishopedthatsuchsteadilygrowingreligiousresourcesmayalsobebetter known to defuse the toxic lie that being gender diverse is aspiritualproblem.Thereverseisthecase-wegenderdiversepeoplehavealwaysbeen,are,andwillbe,gorgeouscreations,fullofamazinggiftsandcapableofsharingwondrouslove!

Letusshakeoffthedarkartsandshine!!

B-A-L-A-N-C-E

“Don’tlettheMugglesgetyoudown”(RonWeasley)

Ahealthyspirituality isonewhichhasallelementsofourlife–body,mindandsoul–inbalance.Thisallowsustoflourish(thepurposeofour lives) in our own distinctive ways. For, as Jesus of Nazareth(following the Jewish tradition) put it: the heart of all life-givingspiritualityisto‘loveGod(purelove-theultimaterealityofallthings)withallourheart,mindandsoul,andtoloveourneighbourasourself’.Thisisthewayto‘thefullnessoflife’whichhe,theBuddha,andalltheworld’s great wisdom teachers sought to point us.Thisinvolvesb-a-l-a-n-c-e-learningto:BreatheAcknowledgeLetGoAffirmNurtureConnectExplore

OnHarryPotter&thespiritualjourney

This pamphlet acknowledges and draws on the inspiration ofJ.K.Rowling’sfictionalHarryPotterstorieswhichexploretheconflicts-inandamongus-betweengoodandevil,courageandfear, livingforlifeanddeath-dealing.For

‘ahugethemeisthatofthepowerofchoiceandtheimpactonourwell-

being,onourlives,andonthelivesofothers.’(www.enotes.com)

Wecanchoosetodenythewonderofourselves,trytobeMugglesandbowthekneetoDeath-Eaters–orwecanbewhowewereborntobe…

seefurthereg:

https://www.theodysseyonline.com/20-inspiring-harry-potter-quotes-to-help-you-battle-your-mental-illness

Breathe

"Happinesscanbefound,eveninthedarkestoftimes,ifonlyonerememberstoturnonthelight."

(AlbusDumbledore)Breathe is the first andmost essential thing. For breath, life andspirit are of course intimately connected. To live spiritually is tobreathe freely and fully with the breath of existence.There are many simple breathing exercises you can use to centreyourselfandcalmdown.Herearetwo:i) breatheinforfourcounts,holdfortwo,breatheoutforsix.Repeat

tentimesii) rub the palms of your hands together until warm. Place you

cuppedpalmsoveryour closedeyes andbreathe in andout fivetimes. As you take your hands away and open your eyes noticehowmuchclearerandbrightereverythinglooks.

OthertechniquesyoumightuseincludeGroundingExercises,suchas:• observing the feel of each part of your body and how it

connectstothegroundandworldaroundyou• huggingyourselfwithcompassion• progressively releasing muscular tension and/or consciously

straighteningyourback

seefurther:http://contemplativemonk.com/breath-prayer

http://hhri-gbv-manual.org/about/tools/grounding

Acknowledge

“Understandingisthefirststeptoacceptance,andonlywithacceptancecanthereberecovery.”

(AlbusDumbledore)

Acknowledgeiscrucialforfindingbalance.Ithelpsjusttocatchupwithyourselfandseeproperlyhowthingsare foryourightnow.Setasideafewmomentsbyyourselfjusttoreflect.Youmayliketohaveapaper and pen handy just to note down anything you want torememberandmaybesomecolouredpensorpencils.Ifitfeelsgoodtoyou,lightacandleandperhapssetameditationtimer-therearemanyfreely available to download. Begin with one of the breathingexercises.Thenscanyourbodytoseewhereyouareexperiencinganypainortightness,andtrytobreatheintothatplace.Asyoudoso,seewhat thoughtsand feelingsarearising foryou.Aseachonecomes toconsciousness acknowledge it, without trying to change it. You mayliketowriteitdownordoodlesomethingthatrepresentsit.‘IusethePensieve.Onesimplysiphonstheexcessthoughtsfromone’smind,poursthemintothebasin,andexaminesthematone’s

leisure.Itbecomeseasiertospotpatternsandlinks,youunderstand,whentheyareinthisform.’(AlbusDumbledore)

Weare thenable to reflectonour thoughtsand feelings fromanon-judgemental, thirdperson,observerposition–and/orwecansimplyputthemaside. Nolongerfightingthemandourselves,orneedingtofinddistractionsoraddictions,wecan find innerpeaceandstrength.EasterntraditionslikeBuddhismcanhelpusinthis,butsuchmindfulmeditationcanbecombinedwithallspiritualtraditionsandnone.

“Thoughtscouldleavedeeperscarsthanalmostanythingelse”-MadamPomfrey

“Numbingthepainforawhilewillmakeitworsewhenyoufinallyfeelit"

AlbusDumbledore

LetGo

“Theworldisn’tsplitintogoodpeopleandDeathEaters.We’veallgotbothlightanddarkinsideus.Whatmattersisthepartwe

choosetoacton.That’swhowereallyare."(SiriusBlack)

Let Go is about the choice to relax even when our circumstancesmighttemptustostressandholdon.Whenweholdtootightlytothepast, to painful memories or relationships, it is hard to move intosomethingnew.What fills yourheart andmind andblocks you fromopeningtothepromptingsofyourspirit?“WhenIletgoofwhatIam,IbecomewhatImightbe.”LaoTzuA simple way to practice letting go may be a clench and releaseexercise for the body, where you take a few minutes to clench themusclesofeachpartofyourbodyinturnandthenletthemgo.For5-7seconds tense the muscles of your legs, feet and bottom, and thenreleasethemfor10seconds;repeatwiththemusclesofyourstomach,chestandback;andthenwithyourarms,shoulders,neckandface.Donot forget to combine thiswith some calmbreathing.Takinganintentionalwalkinnatureisalsoa great opportunity for letting go. In someplaces the ancient practice of walking alabyrinth has been revived and thisprovidesaparticularlyfocusedopportunityfor letting go and reintegrating. For moreinformationaboutlabyrinths

seefurthereg:

https://www.veriditas.orgwww.sydneylabyrinth.org

Affirm

“IamwhatIaman’I’mnotashamed.‘Neverbeashamed,’myol’dadusedtersay,‘there’ssomewho’llholditagainstyou,but

they’renotworthbothern’with.’(Hagrid)

Affirmisaboutengagingwithwhatistrueandgoodandallowingittopermeateour lives. IntheChristianscripturesthewriterofthe letterto the Philippians urges, “whatever is true, whatever is honorable,whatever is pure, whatever is pleasing, whatever is commendable, ifthereisanyexcellence,ifthereisanythingworthyofpraise,thinkaboutthese things.” Like the practice of gratitude, in the face of thosewhoattempt to shame us, affirmation is a way of keeping always in theforefrontofourconsciousnessourinfinitevalueandworth.Itisawaytosurroundourselveswithpositiveenergy.‘ThePatronusisakindofAnti-Dementor–aguardianwhichactsasashieldbetweenyouandaDementor.Itisalsoakindofpositiveforce,aprojectionoftheverythingsthattheDementorfeedsupon–hope,happiness,adesiretosurvive–butitcannotfeeldespairas

realhumanscan,sotheDementorscan’thurtit.’(ProfessorLupin)

Takeapenandpaperandfindaquietplace.Giveyourselfsometimetocentre yourself.Write some short positive statements about yourselfthat begin ‘I am’. Keep them simple, eg ‘I am kind and gentle’. Thenwritesomesimplestatementsthatbegin‘Ican’thatrecognisesomeofyourgifts,eg ‘Icanwalkbriskly’.Finally looktowardsthefuture,andwrite somestatementsofpositivechange thatbegin ‘Iwill’ eg. ‘Iwilllovemyselfmoreeachday’.Practiserepeatingtheseaffirmationseachday.

"ExpectoPatronum"

(HarryPotter)

Nourish

"Workinghardisimportant.Butthereissomethingthatmattersevenmore,believinginyourself"

(HarryPotter)Nourish is something to which we can often pay insufficientattention, especially if we struggle with self-worth, depression andidentity. Somereligious teachingsalso soover-emphasiseabnegationandconcernforothersthatwefailtolovetheverypersonclosesttous–ourselves.Willingnesstomakeself-sacrificesisanimportantpartofahealthylifebutitisnotatallthesameasthesacrificeofself!Unlesswe learn to love ourselves properly we cannot ever love othersproperly.Lovingourselvesalsomeanspracticingit.Everyoneneedstoworkoutwhatworksbestbuthereafewstarterideas:

• celebrategoodthingsaboutyourself–markingspecialmomentsinyourlife

• takesomeexercise:aprovenwaytocombatthedarkarts• makeafavouritefoodandserveitforyourselfbeautifully• usesomehandorbodylotiontonurtureyourskinandenjoy

beinginyourownskin• makeaplaylistandenjoythemusicwhichrefreshesyoursoul• learn to feel what is good in your body – try some regular

stretchesoryoga,goforamassage,dance…• practicegratitude–egattheendofeachday,writedownfive

thingsforwhichyouaregrateful• create(a)safespace(s)foryourself–perhapswithinspiringor

soothingimages,candlesorotheraids-and/orfindaplace(perhapsinnature)whereyoucancultivatepeace

• practicemindfulness• explorewhatretreatsandquietdaysmightofferyou

Connect

“Nogoodsittin'worryin'abou'it.What'scomin'willcome,an'we'llmeetitwhenitdoes"

(Hagrid)Connect isavitalwayofgrowinginourselvesandfiningmorejoyinlifeaswellassupport.Afterall,weexisttoflourishwithotherhumanbeings,withothercreaturesandaspectsofouruniverse. Sometimes,evenwhenwefeelwehavenoenergyorcanevencopewithourselves,connectingwithotherscanchangethings. Indoingso,wealsobringjoyandsupporttootherswhoareinthesamesituationasourselves.Sometimes we simply have to find solace in our own safe space, tolearn tobreathe, acknowledge, let go, affirmandnourish. Yet lovingourselves includes not denying ourselves the company of others.Letting go of our selves – thinking, contacting and helping others –helpscombatlonelinessofselfandothersandbuildsupcompassioninourworld.Hereareafewideas:

• Taketimeinnature,withanimals,or(appropriately)children&other‘littleones’-canbemorerefreshingthanadults!

• Makecontactwithalocalsupportgroup• Checkoutlocalclubsandmeetingsplaces• Takeadeeperlookintoyourlocality

andengagewithalocalactivity• Becomeavolunteerforsomethingnew

Explore

“Yousortofstartthinkinganything’spossibleifyou’vegotenoughnerve."

(GinnyWeasley)Exploreisattheheartofbeinghuman.Littlechildrenarepreeminentexplorers, checking out all around them with curiosity and wonder.Wecanlosethatessentialspiritualcapacityaswegrowolderbutitisalwaysinus.Perhapsweneedsomewisdominhowweexplorebutwetypicallyerronthesideofdeadeningcaution.Not‘fitting’someoftheexpectations of our world can be hard to bear, but it is also aninvitationtobesomethingmuchgreaterandmorelife-givingthanjustbeing a fitting. The great spiritual writer John O’Donohue said that‘once you see God as an artist (rather than as a law-giver, judge, ordirector),everythingchanges’.Onceweseeourselvesasartistsofourown lives, we can enjoy life as a true adventure, even with itschallenges.Weareeachanuniquejoy.Let’sshowuptoourownlives!

• Enjoyyourwondrousdifference!Don’tthinkabouttheworstcasescenario-youmaybepleasantlysurprised–trustinsomethingbetteryoumaynotevenseeatpresent

• Takesmallsteps–everylittlethingmakesadifference

• Findafriendorallytoexplorewithyou• Beinspiredbyothers• Exploredifferentstyles-especiallyinnewspacesoronholiday• Remembervulnerabilityistheplaceoftruecourage&newlife• Havepatiencewithyourself–becomingmorefullyourselvesin

everywayisalife-long,eternal,journey

"Allwaswell"(J.K.Rowling)

Respondingtofrequentlyemployedreligiousandspiritualattacks

Asmentionedintheintroduction,nooneshouldfeeltheyneedtodealwith negative religious ideas and groups – and some indeed shouldsteerclearofsuchreligioustriggersfortheirownhealth.Wearelikelytomeetafewattackshowever,sothefollowingtipsmaybeuseful:

• breatheinallthatispositive:love,joy,peace–spiritualfruits• acknowledge&letgoofwhatisnegative:youdonotneedit&

promotersaretypicallyaversetogenuineconversation• affirmallthatyoufindgood,whereveryoufindit• nurturewhatisgoodandlovinginandaroundyou• connectwithhealthypeopleoflife-givingspirit• explorewhatbringsjoyandhelpsyouandothersflourish

Somebriefpointsabout‘clobber’textsandpropositions

• Gender diverse people are found in all cultures (though theWest has been slow to admit it) and in all faith groups (withincreasingnumbersoftransfaithleadersandvisibilitytoday)

• All great religion is about cultivating compassion, notjudgement and rejection – it is about transformation (aboutwhich gender diverse people know a huge amount!) andfindingfullnessoflife,nottormentandnarrowtribalism

• Jesus never spoke against what today we call LGBTI+ peoplebut(likeIsaiah56.3-5)ratherspokepositively(Matthew19.12ff)abouteunuchs(sex&genderdiversepeopleinhisownday)

• WhenBibleverseslikeGenesis1.28speakaboutGodcreatinghumanity ‘male and female’ this is meant to include all, notexclude anyone: just as saying God created ‘day and night’ isaboutaspectrum,includingborderelementslikedawn&dusk

• prohibitionsaboutcrossdressingareaboutancientconflicts• real‘sin’isalwaysthefailuretolove