The Power of Compassionate Communication
Friday 15 July (arrive by 6pm) through to Saturday 23 July (leave after lunch), 2016. Or weekend option.
We are always in relationship, we are constantly communicating both verbally and non-verbally with friends, partners, whanau, colleagues, shop assistants, pets and other animals, earth, food, breath, sleep, our minds… everything. Our question is: How can we be with all this and keep a sense of well-being?
This retreat is about exploring compassionate relating, and wholesome connecting, both with ourselves, and with others. Is it possible to continuously meet life with a sense of kindness? This is a question we will delve into and explore deeply.
As a group we will share and explore interpersonal skills to help us expand and develop our friendships. We will examine our intrapersonal skills to deepen the presence and relationship with ourselves.
In this retreat there will be periods of silence and individual reflective time to allow you to connect more fully with your own inner wisdom. There will be creative opportunities to engage with the course themes through drama and art.
Together we will study and practice the beautiful Sadhana of “Chenreizig”, the Bodhisattva of Compassion. This is a rich meditation that can support us in exploring our inter-connectedness with all of life.
Our shared search is set in the awesome beauty of the Wangapeka Study and Retreat Centre (https://wangapeka.org). The facilitators, Mark Schrader and Kath Mitchell, are experienced teachers who bring enthusiasm, creativity and care to the retreat.
The course is limited to 14 participants so registering early is advisable. There is the option of attending the first weekend only—please enquire.
Course fee:
- Weekend Option: $150 early bird (register one week before the course begins or $175 if after this)
- 4 Days: $300
- Full Course 8 days: $475
For more information or to register please contact Mark Schrader: schrader.mark@gmail.com
About Mark Schrader:
Mark has appreciated co-facilitating past Wangapeka Community Courses and more recently the Young Adults’ Retreat at the Wangapeka Study and Retreat Centre. He has an extensive background in meditation spanning over forty years and continues a daily practice and discipline. Mark has a respectful style of teaching that encourages each person to touch into their own inherent wisdom and often with a sense of humour and kindness. Kath and Mark are married and have been sharing their spiritual journeying for over 20 years. Mark began working in the field of Mental Health about 16 years ago and currently works as a counsellor in Nelson at the local District Health Board.
About Kath Mitchell:
Kath has been involved in Dharma study for 27 years and did her first meditation retreat with Tarchin Hearn in 1990. She has studied Dharma with Bonni Ross over 21 years and continues to cherish this precious opportunity. She and her husband Mark share a deep commitment in the Dharma and have been together for 22 years.
Kath was a high school drama teacher for 16 years and worked as a professional actor for 10 years. Drama and Dharma go together in a special way; she loves them both and has frequently combined these interests by offering teaching and co-facilitation at the annual Garden of Mindfulness Community retreat and Young Adults retreat.
Kath has a special interest in community, communication and collaboration. She loves to study and practice Dharma in community because the energy of the group can be a powerful path to transformation, in such a beautiful way; and that’s a joy to witness and experience together!