When: 13 Jul 2021 - 18 Jul 2021 Mindful Self-Compassion (MSC) is based on research by Kristin Neff, integrated with the clinical perspective of Christopher Germer. MSC teaches core principles and practices that enable participants to respond to difficult moments in their 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 think. What to expect This retreat will be small and personal. In this way, we intend to offer the value of a nourishing retreat experience, holding a safe and gentle space for your exploration of mindfulness and self-compassion. The teachers will guide a range of practices to enhance and deepen mindfulness, loving-kindness, self-compassion, joy and equanimity. You will remain mostly in silence so you can deeply explore and learn as much as possible from your own experience of these. The first evening will be an orientation session. For the four and a half remaining days, the practices in the mornings and afternoons will include alternate sitting or lying and movement practices. In addition, there will be a silent early morning practice before breakfast. In the evenings the teacher will offer talks to help you relate experientially to the following day’s practices. There will also be the opportunity to share reflections in small groups to support your retreat experience. How will this retreat help to deepen self-compassion? The emphasis of the retreat will be on looking after ourselves, and on nourishing our compassion both through our practice, and through time for relaxation. We will be spending plenty of practice time outside. Who is the retreat for? The retreat is for those who want to develop or deepen their capacity to relate more kindly to themselves and their experience, through immersing themselves in continuity of practice in the retreat setting. It would be helpful if you have already experienced a silent retreat of at least one day (or the half-day mindful self-compassion retreat), but if not, please apply, and we’ll discuss your application with you. The retreat meets the requirement to have sat a five-day, silent, teacher-led retreat. Requirements to attend: This retreat is for those who have taken a mindfulness-based course such as MBSR/MBCT or equivalent as a minimum. You may also have completed a Mindful Self-Compassion (MSC) course, either over eight weeks, or in an intensive format. It is equally suitable for those that have trained to teach MSC. Timings: Please arrive from 4.00pm on the first day. The retreat finishes at 12.30pm on 18th July followed by lunch. Location: Trigonos is located in the village of Nantlle in North Wales between Penygroes and Rhyd Ddu. Caernarfon is the nearest town and Bangor the nearest mainline railway station (West Coast mainline). Please visit the Trigonos website for additional information and directions at http://www.trigonos.org/ What to bring/wear: Please bring any equipment you require for meditation practice. It’s advisable to wear loose fitting comfortable clothing. Fee Our full rates have no hidden extras and include deposit, teaching, room and board. Two Fee Options: If the full rate for SINGLE accommodation is paid but we cannot meet your request for a single room due to lack of availability, then we will allocate you SHARED accommodation and refund £100.00 to you or your employer. Employer's rate - Recognising the large 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. We will be applying this to all our offerings with effect from September 2020.
Where: Trigonos, North Wales
Tutors: Zoe Shobbrook-Fisher, Colette Power
Please note: The majority of our venues have shared bathrooms, including for SINGLE rooms. Please contact us if you have any specific needs that we need to be aware of.
The Application Process:
Our application and payment process involves the following steps:
- 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.
- Upon offering you a place, we will then invoice you either for the non-refundable deposit (£100 non-refundable deposit for SHARED accommodation or a £200.00 non-refundable deposit for SINGLE accommodation) or for the full amount, depending which option you choose when you complete your application.
- Your place is fully confirmed once we receive your deposit or full retreat payment.
- If you selected to pay the deposit only, we will invoice you for the balance three months before the retreat starts.
- If the full rate for SINGLE accommodation is paid but we cannot meet your request for a single room due to lack of availability, then we will allocate you SHARED accommodation and refund £100.00 to you or your employer.
- We will email you the joining instructions in advance of the course.
Payment and Cancellation Policy:
Please read our Terms and Conditions carefully for information regarding payments and cancellations.
For more information:
Please email us at retreats@mindfulness-network.org.
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