Mindfulness and Self Discovery Retreat Course

Saturday, 1st June, 2019 12:00
Saturday, 8th June, 2019 00:00

"This being human is a guest house.
Every morning a new arrival..."

Read the poem by Rumi here

Mindfulness is a way of being, of learning through our immediate, direct experience; of acknowledging and accepting our moment by moment experience just as it is, letting go of judging or wanting it to be different. It is a natural capacity already in us, inherent by virtue of being human, but needs awakening to be known and lived.

By understanding the mind and becoming more aware and freed from our habitual thinking and emotional patterns, of being caught up in reliving what’s past or imagining what is yet to come, we can connect with the ever-present stillness and stability, even amidst turmoil, challenge and change.

The practice of mindful awareness has the potential to transform our sense of ‘self’ and perception of the world, an uncovering process to discover and appreciate the gift of being alive, of being human.

The retreat offers a thorough foundation in the practice of Mindfulness using the Oxford Mindfulness Centre’s contemporary and universal Mindfulness for Life course. This is a gentle, non-striving way of learning the principles and practices of mindful awareness, how we can bring this awareness into all areas of our life, while cultivating attitudes such as kindness, compassion and care, non-judgment and generosity towards ourselves and to all of life.

There will be sessions devoted to light contemplative exploration of texts from the world’s wisdom traditions, ancient and modern. We shall be exploring how mindful awareness is innately present in them all as a liberating practice and way of being, offering insight into the essential reality of the ‘self’ and the wholeness and oneness of all life.

Participants can greatly benefit from a period of stepping away from the demands and busy-ness of daily life, enjoying a setting of beautiful nature, and nourishing all aspects of their being.

An 8-week course in 3 parts:

• 7-day residential retreat 1–8th June
• followed by 7 weeks establishing the practice at home with online group Zoom support
• final weekend residential retreat 2–4th August

Who this course is for:

• If you wish to learn Mindfulness following the structure, principles and practice of the 8-week course in a spacious retreat setting instead of weekly classes
• If you have already completed an 8-week course or similar training and wish to refresh and deepen your understanding and practice of mindfulness
• If you would enjoy exploring texts from wisdom traditions

Booking
If you would like to attend, please email secretary@chisholme.org to receive an application form.

Cost: £575
Includes 7-day and weekend residential retreats, online support sessions, the Mindfulness for Life Course Handbook, and additional handouts.
Generous concessions are available for those on low income.
Payment in several installments also possible.
Please email us to discuss and arrange, or include your request on your application.

Course Facilitators
Sara Hirtenstein
Marijke Kretzers

Location Chisholme House is set on a beautiful estate amidst the hills and moorland of the Scottish Borders, an hour and a half from Edinburgh, Newcastle and Carlisle. The main house looks out over glorious landscaped grounds, and woods of native trees encircle the estate.

We wish to acknowledge gratitude to the Oxford Mindfulness Centre for their permission to use the Mindfulness for Life course in this retreat format.