Compassion is a natural response to suffering, especially when it involves someone close to us, such as our children, friends or colleagues. But what happens when we feel threatened or we are relating to people who don't think or look like us? What happens when our own hidden demons get triggered? We often close down, defend, or fight back.
In this retreat we will practice two powerful methods for working with emotions and developing deep empathy for ourselves and others. Our guides are highly accomplished pioneers at the interface of Buddhist wisdom and Western psychology. The five-step practice of Feeding Your Demons® is based in the Chöd tradition of the 11th-century woman teacher, Machig Labdron of Tibet. These teachings have been adapted by Lama Tsultrim as an accessible and effective approach for dealing with negative emotions, fears, illnesses, and self-defeating patterns. Read more about how this practice works with inner demons. Nonviolent Communication®, also known as Compassionate Communication, begins with the assumption that we are all compassionate by nature. Originally developed by psychologist Marshall Rosenberg, this method is now being practiced in 65 countries as a way of peacefully and effectively resolving conflict in personal, organizational and political settings. You will have enough experience with both these methods to be able to continue practicing and applying them back home. Our retreat will take place at Windhorse Farm in the beautiful Acadian forest bordering the LaHave River and Wentzell Lake near New Germany. This retreat is offered in collaboration with Tara Mandala. Maximum 25 participants. |