The world is on fire, and more than ever it is important for caregivers to take time to restore and replenish. Many in our field have been studying mindfulness and its clinical applications for years but have not prioritized more intensive meditation practice. By deliberately stepping out of everyday life and into a pristine retreat environment, the subtle habit patterns of heart and mind are more easily accessed, and mindfulness can begin to deepen in an enlivening manner.

In our experience, practitioners in this cognitively oriented and high stress culture frequently struggle with unsettling mind storms. One can feel alone when these storms arise. This week, with like-minded colleagues, we will explore afflictive mind states that plague us all. How can we find our way to right relationship with them? How can we be skillful with these states within our own mind?  How can we be skillful with others? Through instruction, guided meditations, dyadic and small group practices these questions will be investigated.

Joining us for this exploration is Janet Surrey who has studied and practiced extensively in the Vipassana tradition and, in recent years, incorporated Insight Dialogue into her work. Insight Dialogue is an interpersonal mindfulness practice resting on the foundation of silent practice in the Theravada Vipassana tradition. Together we will focus on challenging mind states and their antidotes.

This yearly course provides a container in which to explore these practices with colleagues.  The teaching is practical and experience-near, focusing on the establishing and developing of a mindfulness practice that is relevant to our lives and our work with others, particularly in the delivery of accurate empathy and therapeutic presence.  There will be daily mindfulness meditation instruction, three to four hours of meditation each day, study modules most afternoons, dyadic or small group discussions, and individual meetings with teachers. The rest of the time we will observe silence, including during meals, to facilitate a deeper contemplative experience.

This is a rare opportunity to immerse yourself in an exquisite natural environment and work closely with leaders in the growing field of clinical mindfulness meditation and compassion. Every effort will be made by the teachers and staff to give each participant a delightful, educational retreat experience, so that you can return home with renewed enthusiasm for clinical work and for cultivating mindfulness and compassion in daily life.

20 CE units available to psychologists, social workers (application pending) and mental health counselors. Certificates will be provided at the end of the retreat. The CE fee is included in the price. Please click here for full continuing education information.