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Mental Wrap Practices
There are a variety of Mental Wrap practices (meditation, stretching, talking, creating, etc.) that can guide you toward wellness, relaxation, awareness, and presence to achieve balance and well-being. One way to think about Mental Wrap practice is by thinking about your thinking (metacognition) which leads to thinking deeply (contemplation). The resources below are examples of the variety of practices we can prescribe to achieve wellness, relaxation, awareness and presence in everyday life.
Black Women's Well-Being Practices in Higher Education
Dr. Ros spent five years conducting doctoral studies to investigate the well-being and spiritual practices of Black Women professors. Through her studies, she (re)membered (Dillard, 2022) a systematic approach to liberatory education, drawing on research on soulfulness (Harrell, 2018).
The Collaborative for Spirituality in Education
The Collaborative for Spirituality in Education
Mental Wrap Practice was featured in the Awakened Schools program through the Collaborative on Spirituality in Education at Teachers College, Columbia University. The images below are materials used in the online Awakened Schools program.
The Interconnected Web of Compassion is a creative activity that invites you to shift from thoughts and feelings of disconnection toward connection and gratitude for folks you know and do not know to achieve a deeper sense of well-being.
The Awakened Schools Institute is a spirituality in education program for educators and students. An interpersonal Mental Wrap practice is featured in their year-long online course.
The Awakened Schools Institute is a spirituality in education program for educators and students. The reflective questions on transformative relationships are featured in their year-long online course.
Meditations (Mental Wraps)
Mental Wrap meditations (Mental Wraps) are more than just moments of silence—they are cultural sanctuaries for healing, empowerment, and presence. Rooted in mindfulness, emotional awareness, and ancestral wisdom, each meditation is crafted to center the lived experiences of Black and Brown communities while honoring our full humanity.
Mental Wrap meditations (Mental Wraps) are more than just moments of silence—they are cultural sanctuaries for healing, empowerment, and presence. Rooted in mindfulness, emotional awareness, and ancestral wisdom, each meditation is crafted to center the lived experiences of Black and Brown communities while honoring our full humanity.
The "Be True to You" Mental Wrap Meditation was inspired by the author, educator, and cultural critic bell hooks' writings on spirituality in education. It was featured at the 2024 Collaborative for Spirituality in Education conference at Teachers College, Columbia University, and Woodruff Academy's 2025 STLinATL professional learning conference.
Community Collaboration
Community Collaboration
We're excited to feature our culturally-centered healing practices in the form of meditations in the soon-to-be-released book "My Freedom Journey" by Dr. Melanie Dillet-Dukes founder of Beyond Free LLC Educational Consulting Company. Purchase your copy of " My Freedom Journey" at https://www.beyondfreellc.com/projects-1!
Path 1: Knowing Yourself
“It is essential to take time to get to know who you are. Understanding the intricacies of your life is important for your self-preservation, self-care, and growth. This path will encourage you to explore your identity and how it shows up in different ways.” -Dr. Melanie Dillet-Dukes
Path 2: Connecting Beyond Yourself
“There are times when we recognize that the ideas and behaviors we had growing up are not as common as we believe them to be. This path encourages you to be open-minded about the circumstances of other people. ”
-Dr. Melanie Dillet-Dukes
Path 3: Digging Deeper For Self-Reflection
"Take the time on this path to dig deeper into your self-reflection so you can build a healthier you. When we take the time to be more reflective, we openly acknowledge ourselves and openness to be reflective."
-Dr. Melanie Dillet-Dukes
Path 4: Connecting For Real Change
"This path asks you to step up and make the actual change. Take what you have grown from and make those tangible life changes that will ultimately transform you into a healthy being who thrives in a different environment, relishes in different perspectives, and is so confident in yourself that no one can shatter your authentic self." -Dr. Melanie Dillet-Dukes
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