Remembering Who We Are: A Self-Compassion Retreat
From the moment we are born, we are given countless messages about who we should be. While some are explicit and others quite subtle, these external pressures often lead to disconnection from our authentic selves. Connection to the shining gem of our essence is our birthright, and one of the greatest gifts we can offer ourselves and the world. By being compassionately present with our experience, we are calling our wholeness home. Let us come together in practice to excavate our true selves from beneath all the layers that life puts upon us.
In this day-long retreat, we’ll explore the practices of mindful self-compassion and the idea of remembering who we truly are and connection with our authentic essence. The day will follow a guided sequence of meditation-based practices including: loving-kindness meditation, compassionate meditations and visualization practices, the body scan, walking meditation and sensory awareness, and gentle mindful yoga.
This retreat is ideal for people with some mindfulness or compassion training experience. Introductory information about mindful self-compassion will not be provided at this session. Rather, we will dive right in to guided practice. If you are totally new to meditation this day may be a challenge; however, all are welcome. For some, “jumping in” is a great way to start.
SCHEDULE
Saturday, August 17, 2024
9am – 4pm
TEACHER
LOCATION
Peace and Spirituality Center at St. Mary-on-the-Lake (Bellevue)
COST
$60 - $90 (or $15 – $23/month)
- Sliding scale: Choose what’s right for you.
- Payment plan option: 4-months, no-interest.
- Limited scholarships available: No need to apply; just choose a scholarship tuition during registration.
Remember
Remember who you are.
Not the shape others have put on
you, not the story they handed you,
not the lies or needs that were
pressed into your psyche.
Not even your own imagined ideas
of what you should be.
But the real you, the wild innate you
that is breathing under all those
should be’s, all those untruths.
Remember the feel of it, the shape of
it. Let it inhabit you, like golden
weeds rewilding the concrete.
– Brigit Anna McNeill
About One Day Retreats
Our One Day Retreats are an immersion into silent, continuous, teacher-led practice. During this day of practice, we'll ask you to be as quiet as possible and let go of entertainments and distractions for the day.
One Day Retreats are included in our 8-week Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction and Mindful Self-Compassion courses and offered for stand-alone sign up in the Retreats section of our website.
Everyone with some experience of mindfulness and meditation is welcome to try a One Day Retreat. It can be a powerful and important way to explore mindfulness and compassion more deeply. If you are totally new to meditation, this day may be a challenge; however, all are welcome. For some, "jumping in" is a great way to start.
Whether online or in-person, you will be guided in a sequence of meditation and mindfulness practices including: sitting meditation, the body scan, walking meditation (indoors and out!), gentle mindful yoga, and contemplative practices like the loving-kindness meditation.
In-Person Retreats:
A great virtue of in-person retreats is the possibilities that emerge from taking a quiet day totally away from your usual routine and environment. Plus we've found some lovely sites to host our retreats. Be sure to bring your lunch, a blanket, and yoga mat and/or meditation cushion if you have one. We are able to bring some extra yoga / meditation gear to share, and all of our retreat sites have comfortable chairs for sitting.
Online Retreats:
Online retreats are rich opportunity to integrate sustained mindfulness practice into your "regular" life at home. We do recommend having a conversation with the occupants of your home. While it's not reasonable to expect roommates, spouses, or children to be totally silent for a day because you'll be on retreat, sometimes a simple shift in routine to help you have a quieter, more protected space is possible.
ABOUT THE INSTRUCTOR
Catherine Duffy
When a family member was diagnosed with a personality disorder, Catherine discovered mindfulness, and was deeply moved by its transformative power in navigating life’s complexities with grace. Catherine’s passion led her to train deeply in mindfulness, including Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) and Mindful Self-Compassion (MSC) teaching certifications. She has been teaching 8-week Mindful Self-Compassion and Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction classes with Mindfulness Northwest for many years now.
The mother of four grown children — one of whom lives with developmental disabilities — and a grandmother, Catherine continues to learn the value of pausing, taking a breath, and inviting quiet moments to reset and refresh. Her supportive teaching is imbued with nurturance, compassionate listening, and gentle, sincere care. With her warm, grounded presence, Catherine helps her students find and rest in the peace that is always within them.
“Catherine is wonderful, warm and a very skilled facilitator. The whole group was wonderful, open to sharing, and invested in the practice, which made it feel very warm and meaningful.”
“Catherine created a very open environment for sharing (or not sharing!) and was incredibly affirming.”
“Catherine did a superlative job of creating a safe, inclusive, gentle, and affirming environment.”
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