Course Information

Compassion: Mindfulness and Self-Compassion Retreat (in-person)

When: 9 Jan 2025 - 13 Jan 2025
Where: Purley Chase Centre
Tutors: Colette Power, Zoe Shobbrook-Fisher

This retreat is in person, set in the beautiful North Warwickshire countryside. It’s an opportunity to explore and deepen into Mindfulness and Self-Compassion (MSC) practice. The emphasis will be on developing the resource of self-kindness and self-care through an exploration of mindfulness, loving-kindness, compassion, joy and equanimity.

Watch a short video explainer from the Retreat Leaders, Zoe and Colette:


What to expect:

On this silent retreat there will be guided practices as well as ample opportunity for you to deepen into your own experience within the supportive container of the group. The first evening will be an orientation session. Days 1 to 4 of the retreat include early morning practice before breakfast followed by morning, afternoon and evening sessions with a spacious lunch period. The retreat will include gentle movement, outdoor time and time to connect in smaller groups. There will also be free time to rest and relax.


This retreat is based on the Mindful Self-Compassion (MSC) approach.

Mindful Self-Compassion is an integration of research by Kristin Neff with the clinical perspective of Christopher Germer.  It offers core principles and practices that resource us to respond to difficult moments in our lives with kindness, care and understanding.

The three key components of self-compassion are self-kindness, a sense of common humanity, and balanced, mindful awareness. Kindness opens our hearts to suffering, so we can give ourselves what we need. Common humanity opens us to our essential inter-relatedness, so that we know we aren't alone. Mindfulness opens us to the present moment, so we can accept our experience with greater ease. Together they comprise a state of warm, connected, presence.

Self-compassion can be learned by anyone, whatever our personal histories. It's a courageous attitude that stands up to harm, including the harm that we unwittingly inflict on ourselves through self-criticism, self-isolation, or self-absorption. Self-compassion provides emotional strength and resilience, allowing us to admit our shortcomings, motivate ourselves with kindness, forgive ourselves when needed, relate wholeheartedly to others and be more authentically ourselves.

Rapidly expanding research demonstrates that self-compassion is strongly associated with emotional well-being, less anxiety, depression and stress, maintenance of healthy habits such as diet and exercise, and satisfying personal relationships. And it’s easier than you might think.


Who the retreat is for:

This retreat is for those who have either completed a Mindful Self-Compassion (MSC) or an 8 week Mindfulness course (e.g MBSR, MBCT, MBCT-L). You may have completed the MSC course over eight weeks or in an intensive (usually five-day) format.  This retreat is equally open to practitioners and mindfulness or MSC teachers.

The retreat meets the requirement to have sat a five-day, silent, teacher-led retreat before taking the MSC Teacher Training course AND meets BAMBA requirements for an annual retreat. 

It would be helpful if you have a regular practice of mindfulness and/or loving-kindness/self-compassion meditation. Previous retreat experience of at least one day is required but, if not, please apply and we’ll discuss your application with you. 


Requirements to attend:

You must have completed as a minimum either a mindfulness-based course such as MBSR/MBCT or equivalent and/or a Mindful Self-Compassion (MSC) course either over eight weeks or in an intensive format.  

Please ensure you are able to attend the entire event. If this is not possible, please contact us to discuss before submitting an application.

Timings:

Arrival at 4pm on 9th January, the retreat finishes at 4pm on 13th January 2025.

All times are UK, GMT (Greenwich Mean Time).


What to bring/wear:

There is limited equipment available at the venue; please bring a mat, cushion and blanket to support your practice if you are able.


Location:

Purley Chase Centre is a retreat centre set in the beautiful North Warwickshire countryside.

https://www.purleychasecentre.org.uk/

Directions:

https://www.purleychasecentre.org.uk/directions/


Our rates:

Our full rates have no hidden extras and include deposit, teaching, SINGLE ENSUITE room and board. 

The full rate for the residential retreat is £966.00 (includes £100 non-refundable deposit)

Please contact us if you have any specific needs that we need to be aware of.

Bursary-assisted places are available on this event until three months before the event starts. If it is less than three months before the start date of the event, please get in touch to discuss if an application is possible.  When applying for a bursary-assisted place, please first register on the event and select the fee ‘I’m applying for a bursary-assisted place’. Once you have registered for the event you will also need to complete and return a bursary application form.  

To find out more about our bursary schemes, criteria for bursary applications and to complete the bursary application form please visit: https://home.mindfulness-network.org/bursaries/

Employer's rate - Recognising the administrative overhead of dealing with employers, we will be adding a £50 surcharge if the employer is paying directly; where possible we would advise applicants to pay themselves and reclaim on expenses to avoid the charge.


The Application Process: 

Our application and payment process involves the following steps:

  1. We receive your application form and assess it to ensure that this retreat is suitable for you. We endeavour to make assessments within a week, but if the retreat leader is on annual leave or on retreat, then this can take a little bit longer.
  2. Upon offering you a place, we will then invoice you for the deposit or for the full amount, depending which option you choose when you complete your application.
  3. Your place is confirmed once we receive your deposit or full payment.
  4. If you selected to pay the deposit only, we will invoice you for the balance four months before the retreat starts.
  5. We will email you the joining details in advance of the course.

Payment and Cancellation Policy:

Please read our Terms and Conditions for information regarding payments and cancellations.


For more information:

Please email us at retreats@mindfulness-network.org


Click here to sign up to our waiting list - unfortunately this event is now full.