Mindfulness Retreat: Coming Home to Self-Compassion

Date: Saturday 6 March 2022
Time: 9:30 am-1:30 pm, Saturday Australian Eastern Day Time (UTC +11) (Sydney, Melbourne, Canberra)

Price: $45.00

In this Mindful Self-Compassion Retreat called “Coming Home to Self-Compassion”, you are invited to come home to self-kindness, to meet the friend within. This is an invitation to befriend yourself, to relax, to recharge, to find balance. All through the retreat, you will be guided easily and naturally to be present, in a warm friendship with yourself.

This is an opportunity for beginners as well as others who have already started mindfulness, to deepen and to refresh their practice to ease their struggles, to find peace, to access inner joy and wisdom.

Presented by Marie Bloomfield, clinical psychologist and John Julian, social worker, both Senior Certified Mindful Self-Compassion Teachers.

Living better with mindfulness, meditation, and self-compassion

Numerous studies over the last 30 years have shown the benefits of mindfulness, self-compassion and meditation. Typically, individuals who take on meditation and informal practices of mindfulness and self-compassion are more emotionally stable and have better control of their mood and behaviours.

They are more able to handle stress throughout the day and to relax before bedtimes. Because they are more present, they can make the most of their lives as it is; bounce from the difficulties and enjoy the good moments. Mindful self-compassion meditation practices increase the capacity for happiness in us all.

What to expect during the mindfulness retreat?

Throughout the retreat, you will be guided in mindfulness and self-compassion meditations to pay attention to the here and now, with curiosity and kindness. We will offer you opportunities to take time to savour, to appreciate, to bring warm-heartedness to yourselves, to meet whatever arises with loving-kindness and compassion.

During the retreat, we will encourage you to come home to your body, heart and mind; allowing and letting yourself be as you are, like a good friend. This attitude of openness, kindness and acceptance to whatever is, enables us to live with greater calm, clarity, strength and courage.

This Silent Mindfulness Meditation Retreat will consist of guided meditations, alternating with mindful movements, mindful walking, mindful eating, with periods of rest in between.

A wide variety of mindfulness and self-compassion meditations will be presented such as affectionate breathing, loving-kindness, compassionate body scan, sense and savour mindful walking, mindful eating, giving and receiving compassion, and compassionate movement meditation.

The teachers will provide ongoing simple and easy mindfulness instructions for various practices while the participants are expected to maintain a friendly silence for the duration of the retreat.

This mindfulness meditation retreat will be imbued with loving-kindness and self-compassion, focusing on our natural ability to become still, to be present, to notice, to be curious, to savour, to appreciate and to cultivate a warm friendship with ourselves. At the end of this silent mindfulness meditation retreat, there will be a short talk and sharing of experiences.

Preparing for the retreat
To prepare for the retreat, choose a private space, comfortable, and quiet, such as a room with the door closed with a bit of space to move around for mindful walking. Have some food available for mindful eating.

Make sure that you are comfortable with cushions, pillows, blanket, slippers, and a mat so you can meditate lying down and keep warm.

You will also need a timer such as an app on your phone to keep track of the mindful walking and eating exercises.
The next Mindfulness Online Retreat: Coming Home to Self-Compassion- Half-Day

Presenters: Marie Bloomfield, Clinical Psychologist, and John Julian, Social Worker, both Senior Certified Mindful Self-Compassion Teachers.