Visiting Teachers Events

Mindful Self-Compassion: Core Skills Training

4th & 5th August 2012

Kristin Neff & Christopher Germer

This 2-day workshop presents the theory and core practices of the empirically-supported, 8-week Mindful Self-Compassion (MSC) training program, a new program specifically designed to help participants become more self-compassionate using meditation, experiential exercises and group discussion.   The structure of MSC is similar to MBSR and the two programs appear to complement each other just as the concepts of mindfulness and self-compassion overlap in important ways.

Self-compassion is an emotional skill that can be learned by anyone. Recent research has shown that self-compassion greatly enhances emotional well-being, reduces anxiety and depression, and can even help you stick to your diet and exercise routine. This workshop will provide essential tools for for treating yourself in a respectful, compassionate way whenever you suffer, fail, or feel inadequate.

Kristin Neff, PhD, is an associate professor in human development at the University of Texas at Austin and author of Self-Compassion. She is creator of the Self-Compassion Scale used by clinicians and researchers worldwide.

Christopher Germer, PhD,  is a clinical instructor in psychology at Harvard Medical School and a founding member of the Institute for Meditation and Psychotherapy.  He is the author of The Mindful Path to Self-Compassion and coeditor of Mindfulness and Psychotherapy and Wisdom and Compassion in Psychotherapy. mindfulselfcompassion.org

TIMES:        9:30am – 5:00pm each day.

VENUE:       Wheldon Building, Bangor University, North Wales

COSTS:       £285.00 for both days, includes lunch and refreshments

***** Early bird rate £255.00 – ends 10th Feb 2012 *****

Neff and Germer booking form and more information

Self-compassion and Courage in Mindfulness Practice: Blessings of the Dark Places

29th August - 2nd September 2012

Melissa Blacker and David Rynick

The silent retreat will start with a one day workshop

Traditional temple gates in Asia are often guarded by statues of frightening figures that represent the darker aspects of our complex human personalities. They are a reminder that, to walk this path of awakening, we must encounter all the parts of ourselves, and, as Rumi says, "meet them at the door laughing, and invite them in." 

As teachers and practitioners of mindfulness these darker aspects may arise in the gap between what we know and what we live. The wisdom we can access in the teacher role is sometimes nowhere to be found when we encounter our internal resistances and demons.

This workshop will be an invitation to practice self-compassion in situations where we feel most vulnerable and inadequate.  We will explore our places of failure as potential gateways of growth – honoring the energy and creativity of our inner critics while we learn to take a non-dual approach to our teaching and ourselves.  We will cultivate the courage to stay in our challenging places long enough to receive the blessings that they may confer.

Melissa Blacker, MA, was on the staff of the Center for Mindfulness (CFM) at the University of Massachusetts Medical School in Worcester, Massachusetts, USA, founded by Jon Kabat-Zinn, from 1993 to 2011.  She now teaches occasionally for Oasis, the CFM professional training program, and also offers private meditation consulting. Melissa is a fully transmitted Zen teacher (Roshi), and co-founder and guiding teacher of Boundless Way Zen, a multi-lineage Zen community in New England.  She is co-editor of THE BOOK OF MU: ESSENTIAL TEACHINGS ON ZEN'S MOST IMPORTANT KOAN.

David Rynick, PCC, MALS, in addition to being a fully transmitted Zen teacher, is the Abbot of Boundless Way Zen and a life and leadership coach.  He works with individuals and organizations around the US and in the UK to help them clarify what is truly important and create significant change.  A former private school headmaster, teacher, and artist, he has led numerous workshops and retreats on topics ranging from meditation to improvisational dance to organizational leadership. 

VENUE:     Trigonos, North Wales

COSTS:      Include lunch and refreshments

                   £285 - CMRP Master's Students

                   £365 - Non Master's Students

Blacker and Rynick booking form and more information