마음 • (ma'eum)

1. mind, heart (i.e. one's emotions)

2. intention, will

Maum [click here to learn its proper pronunciation] is an expansive concept that recognizes the human body as a vessel of thoughts, memories, emotions, and spirit, ever-alchemizing towards a unique and purposeful expression of the self.

We do not recognize a clear division between the mind and body, but, unfortunately, they are often divided. Empire, white supremacy, war, militarization, land theft, resource extraction, cis-heteropatriarchy, ableism, and other forms of intergenerational and systemic violence—many of which are experienced by Asian Americans—are not just inherited or imposed; they are learned. This learning happens in all sorts of settings, both institutional and intimate. Their harmful effects are made normal. For Asian Americans, this (mis)education lead to fractures—within our selves, our relationships, and our communities. For all (U.S.) Americans, many of these splits go ignored, leading to practices, policies, and programming that dehumanize. As a result, these divisions not only widen, they are made to seem permanent.

But they don’t have to be. Maum’s mission is to help our clients unlearn, heal, and reconnect the divided parts within Asian America in order to self-determine a more equitable, just, and joyful society for everyone, especially those most impacted. We recognize that to achieve such a decolonized society of care and abundance, a different kind of education is needed—one that’s informed by principles guided by anti-racist practices, transformative justice, and an abolitionist compass, one that moves and reunifies the body, mind (brain, heart, gut) and spirit.