When: 4 Jul 2022 - 9 Jul 2022 About Mindful Self-Compassion 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 perosonal 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. What to expect: The two teachers will guide the mindfulness, loving-kindness and self-compassion practices, and 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 rest of the four and a half days, the practices in the mornings and afternoons will include alternate sitting or lying and movement practices that you will have learned and practised on your mindful self-compassion course. For this time on retreat, we will be practising meditations to enhance and deepen our mindfulness, loving-kindness, compassion, joy and equanimity. In addition, there will be a silent early morning practice before breakfast. In the evenings the teachers will offer talks to help you relate experientially to the following day’s practices. You will also have at least one individual interview with a teacher where you can discuss your practice, and how you are finding the retreat. How the retreat helps 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 the retreat is for: This retreat is for those who have already completed a Mindful Self-Compassion (MSC) course, either over eight weeks or in an intensive (usually five-day) format. You could be either an MSC teacher or an MSC practitioner. The retreat meets the requirement to have sat a five-day, silent, teacher-led retreat before taking the MSC Teacher Training course. It would be beneficial, though not essential, to have also taken a mindfulness-based course such as MBSR or MBCT. It is required that you have a regular and frequent practice of mindfulness meditation and/or loving-kindness/self-compassion meditation. It would also 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. 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: Arrival from 4pm. The first session will begin at 5.30 pm on 4th July, the retreat finishes at 12 pm on 9th July 2022. All times are UK, BST (British Summer Time). What to bring/wear: Practice equipment is available at Sharpham House but please bring anything that would particularly support you in your personal practice. Location: Grade 1-listed Georgian mansion at the centre of the stunning Sharpham Estate. This Devon retreat centre is set in beautiful Capability Brown gardens offering calming views over the Dart Valley, in a designated Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. We strongly advise that you visit the venue website to review their Covid-19 policy as the event approaches. You must ensure that you comply with all health and safety, licensing and other rules and regulations of the venue or applicable to the venue. It is your responsibility to familiarise yourself with any rules and regulations that apply. Our rates: Our full rates have no hidden extras and include deposit, teaching, room and board. Full rate for SINGLE accommodation: £966.00 (includes £100.00 non-refundable deposit). Bursary-assisted places are available on this event until 3 months before the event starts. Bursary applications need to be submitted and decided prior to booking onto the event. To find out more about our bursary schemes and to apply, please first visit our website here: https://home.mindfulness-network.org/bursaries/ 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. 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: Payment and Cancellation Policy: Please note that we are planning for this course to be held in-person, but if this is not possible with regard to Covid-19, we will advise you as early as we can if the course needs to be moved online. More on this can be found in our T&Cs, below. Please read our Terms and Conditions for information regarding payments and cancellations. For more information: Please email us at retreats@mindfulness-network.org.
Where: Sharpham House, Devon
Tutors: Vanessa Hope, Zoe Shobbrook-Fisher
Click here to sign up to our waiting list - unfortunately this event is now full.
Course Information
Please ensure you are able to attend the entire event. If this is not possible, please contact us to discuss before submitting an application.
