Compassion and Presence - Meditation and Health

Applying the Skills of Meditation, Compassion, and Mindfulness in Health Care

1-3 October, 2011, Lerab Ling | It is recommended to attend the full programme but it is possible to attend just the weekend if you cannot stay for the whole time.

A training especially suited for those working in health care, psychology, social services and related disciplines, and open to all.

In the practice of healing, a kind heart is as valuable as medical training, because it is the source of happiness for both oneself and others. People respond to kindness even when medicine is ineffective, and in turn cultivating a kind heart is a cause of our own good health.
  -- His Holiness The Dalai Lama

Compassion and Presence

Responding effectively to the needs of patients remains an on-going professional and deeply personal challenge. Compassion and Presence offers the opportunity to learn contemplative resources that support you in your life and work, and enhance the way you offer care - with a renewed sense of joy, confidence, and fulfillment. Drawing from meditations taught in the wisdom tradition of Tibet, this training focuses on cultivating presence and mindfulness, and deepening the capacity for compassion, so that you can remain present, spacious and loving in the face of suffering.

The training introduces insights and contemplations from Sogyal Rinpoche's groundbreaking book, The Tibetan Book of Living and Dying, and demonstrates in practical ways how to appropriately integrate these practices of meditation, contemplative listening, and compassion in any medical setting.

Compassion and Presence is for anyone who cares for others in hospice, palliative care, critical care, gerontology, oncology, general medicine, nursing, emergency medicine, pastoral care, psychology, social work, health care education, and other allied health professions. It will resonate with professionals and volunteers from diverse cultural and religious backgrounds.

The training focuses on four core competencies:

• Holding authentic presence and communication.
• Deepening one's ability to extend compassion toward oneself and others.
• Developing a personal understanding of suffering, and how to be present with suffering.
• Applying contemplative practices for self-care.

Methods of training

Lectures, discussion, writing, reflection, contemplative practice, and interactive methods for integrating learning.

Training Topics

• Definitions of spirituality and spiritual care
• Exploration of genuine compassion
• Pitfalls to compassion
• Loving Kindness practice
• A Framework for Compassionate Presence
• Mindfulness practice
• Skills and methods of meditation
• Integration of contemplative practices with listening
• Skills for supporting people who are suffering

About this event

This event follows on from the 3rd International Forum on Buddhism and Medicine held at Lerab Ling in October, 2010. You are welcome to attend this event if you did not attend the 2010 Forum.

About the venue

The teachings will be held in the unique atmosphere of Lerab Ling, home to what many consider to be one of the largest and most authentic Tibetan Buddhist temple in Europe, and perhaps even in the West. So many great Tibetan masters have been inspired by Lerab Ling’s sacred environment.

Keynote presenter

Christine Longaker, Education Director, Rigpa's Spiritual Care Education Program.
Former director and staff trainer of the Hospice of Santa Cruz County in California, Christine has provided hospice trainings internationally since 1978. She has been instrumental in developing Rigpa's Spiritual Care Education Program, and serves as its International Education Director. She co-designed and serves as faculty for Naropa University's accredited training in 'Contemplative End-of-Life Care', and is author of Facing Death and Finding Hope: A Guide to the Emotional and Spiritual Care of the Dying, which is translated into nine languages.

Translation

There will be translation into English and French.
Other languages may be available depending on demand.

For more information

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Or call the Registration Office between 9am - 1pm: 04 67 88 46 09