Mission
The Iris Center is located on the Wolastoq River (Saint John River) in Fredericton, New Brunswick, Canada on the traditional territory of the Wolastoqiyik Peoples.
As a not-for-profit organization the Iris Center is dedicated to protect the environment by acquiring and preserving for posterity a unique natural environment with a diverse ecosystem and the associated plant and animal species. This currently includes stewarding 29 acres of wetlands within the City of Fredericton along the Wolastoq River, conserving the environment, the local ecosystem and its resident flora and fauna, particularly protecting and fostering monarch butterflies and the milk weed fields that sustain them, and the aquatic species stewarding the wetlands that is their home.
With our gardens and greenhouses, we work to alleviate food insecurity by developing programmes for local supply of year-round healthful plant based foods for those in need. We start produce seeds in the early spring and give the young plants away to people and groups in need to support them growing their own produce.
The Iris Center is also dedicated to advancing educational initiatives by providing a centre for experiential learning focusing on personal awareness, making available to people and society the space and environment to foster the full development of mindfulness, peace and healing in their lives and in the community both local and extended. The Center is dedicated to offering various educational workshops, experiential sessions, and other training opportunities guided by respected and qualified teachers and facilitators. and to doing so at no or minimal cost to the participants, relying on grants and the generosity of particpants in donating to sustain our mission.
Vision
The vision of the Iris Center for Mindfulness, Peace and Healing is to sustain the possibility for all to experience peace and to live well and suffer less in the face of living our lives.
Values
The Iris Center holds true to the core teachings of all Wisdom practices:
Generosity
The Ethics of Non-harming of self & other (including non-human Nature).
Respect for self and other
Kindness, gentleness and friendship toward self and other
Curiosity and interest in self and other
Harmony and balance within self and other.
Clear and concise communication with self and other.
Attuned relationship with self and other.
Diversity and Integrity within self and other.
Generosity (Dana)
The heart of generosity guides all that we do and offer at The Iris Center and is fundamental to our mission and values.
Generosity, giving of ourselves in some meaningful and heartfelt way, is a manifestation of our gratitude for life and what we receive in all domains. Generosity is an energy that feeds our sense of belonging and interconnectedness, our kindheartedness and compassion and ultimately our exploration of the possibilities of non-attachment.
Although some workshops/programs may have a base fee for operational expenses most of our yoga classes and workshops are offered out of generosity for the benefit of all, and in the interest of generosity and gratitude, donations to the Center and teachers are encouraged and much appreciated. Recognizing that not all of us have the same “depth of pocket”, we encourage you to give as “your pocket” allows, to help sustain the offering of these programs to others.