"Listen to silence. It has so much to say."   

Rumi
                         

                            
We warmly invite you to 5 tender days of profound self-care, practising the life-changing meditations of Mindful Self-Compassion in the warm embrace of silence.  Join us online via Zoom from the comfort of your own home or your chosen retreat hideaway.

Mindful Self-Compassion (MSC) is based on the research of Kristin Neff and the clinical expertise of Christopher Germer.  MSC teaches core principles and practices that enable participants to respond to difficult moments in their lives with kindness, care and understanding. 

This MSC Silent Retreat is an opportunity to focus fully and explicitly on mindfulness and self-compassion practices.  It is a time to create personal space, bring a warm awareness to yourself and an opportunity to deepen your personal reflection. Out of silence,  magic happens.

"The quieter you become the more you are able to hear." 

Rumi

What to expect?

Liz and Kathryn will gently guide you through mindfulness, loving-kindness and self-compassion meditation practices.

We will have an orientation session during our first session together and on the first day we will gently guide you into silence.  For the rest of the retreat, we will spend our time experiencing a variety of mindfulness, loving-kindness and self-compassion practices. On the final evening, we will gently guide you out of the silence.

The majority of the practices we will be offering throughout the retreat you will have learnt or been introduced to on your MSC course. These will always be guided, so you can relax and fully receive.  The days are structured to include a mixture of sitting, lying and movement practices, from early morning to evening.  If you feel the need, you will also have the opportunity for a private conversation with one of the teachers, where you can discuss your practice and experience, especially if challenges are arising.  In this way, you can fully relax in the knowledge that you are being held in a supportive and compassionate embrace throughout your retreat.

Before the retreat, you will also have a 121 pre-retreat conversation, with either Kathryn or Liz, to answer any questions or concerns you may have.

"Silence is the sleep that nourishes wisdom." 

Francis Bacon

Who is the retreat for?

This retreat is primarily for those who have already completed a Mindful Self-Compassion (MSC) course, either over eight weeks or in an intensive (usually five-day) format and would like to experience a deep dive into the MSC practices.   We do have a limited number of places available for those who are experienced meditators but not MSC Graduates. 

MSC Graduate Practitioners

This is your opportunity to marinate in mindfulness, loving-kindness and self-compassion practices.  This is your chance to take time for yourself to rest, recharge and re-inspire. 

Are you looking to become an MSC Teacher? 

Good news!  This retreat meets the requirement to have sat a five-day, silent, teacher-led retreat before taking the MSC Teacher Training course. Another requirement of the MSC Teacher Training is to have a regular and frequent practice. This retreat offers a variety of experiences to support you in this.

CLICK HERE for the latest details on MSC Teacher Training requirements.

MSC Teachers

As an MSC teacher, we can so easily fall into the trap of giving to others and not assigning enough time to give to yourself.  We warmly encourage all fellow MSC teachers to join us for this tender adventure into silence.  We will encourage you to let go of the reigns and focus on what you need to replenish and nourish yourself.  This is time for you.  You can let go of all expectations and simply receive,  recharge and reflect.

It is our pleasure and privilege to support you.

The MSC Silent Retreat is the perfect way to embed the valuable skills of the MSC Programme to live a self-compassionate life.  Revisit all the MSC practices in comfort, away from hectic life distractions. Give yourself the freedom to soak up the MSC teachings, in a peaceful environment with experienced, supportive teachers.  We warmly encourage you to create a supportive and peaceful personal 'bubble' during the five days.  We appreciate that you may have responsibilities that feel impossible to ignore, however, we wholeheartedly encourage you to carve out these five days as best you can so that you can immerse yourself in silence.

"Silence is something that comes from your heart, not from outside. Silence doesn’t mean not talking and not doing things; it means that you are not disturbed inside. If you’re truly silent, then no matter what situation you find yourself in you can enjoy the silence."  Thich Nhat Hanh  

Rest in the knowledge that everything will be taken care of, whilst you unwind, reflect and practice making friends with yourself in the privacy and comfort of this supportive retreat.  Relish time-out for yourself, away from the demands of work and family pressures (as best you can).  Give yourself what you need, whilst we take care of the rest!  Some forward planning for meals and food is suggested so you can really be present and distraction-free. 

“Silence is sometimes the best answer” 

Dalai Lama XIV

THE DETAILS...

When and Where?

The MSC Silent Retreat will be held online via the Zoom platform, so you can be assured that regardless of the 'lockdown' conditions in your area, we will still be able to proceed with ease.   

Our first session begins Monday morning (25/01/2021).  We complete Friday afternoon (29/01/2021).  

Please note, this retreat runs in GMT time zone (London, UK)

Are there any Pre-Requisites to attend this Silent Retreat?

Yes!!!   This retreat is primarily for graduates of the official  Mindful Self-Compassion full training.

Completion of the Mindful Self-Compassion training in one or more of the following formats is highly recommended:

• 8 Weeks - In person

• 5 Day Intensive - Residential or Non Residential

• 10 Weeks - Live Online

We also have a limited number of places available for those who are experienced meditators but not MSC Graduates.

It is helpful (but not imperative) if you have already experienced a silent retreat of at least one day (or the half-day mindful self-compassion retreat), but if not, please apply, and we’ll discuss your application with you.

What is the cost?  Where do I book?

We have a number of ticket options available.  If you are outside the European Union you do not attract VAT.  This will be refunded to you.  Simply scroll back up to the top of this page and click on the FIND OUT MORE & TICKETS button to see available options.  If you have any questions, please email Liz@KindMindAcademy.com.

Is a payment plan available?  Can I pay via regular instalments?

Yes, you are welcome to pay via instalments if you wish.  We would like to create as much ease as possible for you to attend - whilst securing you the best available rate too.   Please place your booking by selecting your Silent Retreat Ticket - then on the payment page next simply enter the promo code 'INVOICE'.  This will reduce the total down to £0.00.   Proceed with your booking as normal.  We will then contact you regarding your specific instalment requirements.  Please email Liz@KindMindAcademy.com or call Liz on +44 (0) 7812 407 992 and we'll see what we can create together.

Can I pay via bank transfer or do I have to use a debit or credit card?

Yes, we'd love you to pay via bank transfer if you wish.  Please place your booking by selecting your Silent Retreat Ticket - then on the payment page next simply enter the promo code 'INVOICE'. This will reduce the total down to £0.00. Proceed with your booking as normal. We will then send you an invoice for payment.  Please email Liz@KindMindAcademy.com or call Liz on +44 (0) 7812 407 992 and we'll see what we can create together.

MEET THE TEACHERS...

Kathryn Lovewell

Kathryn Lovewell is an enthusiastic and passionate Certified Mindful Self-Compassion teacher. She first experienced MSC in 2015 after a long and deep search for self-love, self-acceptance and peace with her body. MSC was the key she had been looking for. Since that day, every challenge, every moment of pain, every sadness has been an opportunity to practice MSC and come home to kindness.

Kathryn is an award-winning emotional health and wellbeing specialist. For over a decade she has combined meditation, mindful awareness, therapeutic practices and positive psychology to create personal and professional development programmes in the UK, USA & Australia. She is the author of The Little Book of Self-Compassion; the bestselling book Every Teacher Matters; Inspiring Wellbeing through Mindfulness, co-author of The Positive Edge Journal and the soon to be released children's book, The Voices in my Head. Her mission is to inspire tender self-care and loving self-kindness to all people, across the globe.

Kathryn is a Certified Mindful Self-Compassion teacher and has taught MSC courses and workshops in the UK, Ireland, Australia and online.

Liz Walker

Liz Walker spent the first three years of her MSC experience gently deepening her personal practice whilst supporting Kathryn and her participants in the room and behind the scenes. Witnessing the dramatic change in her own inner landscape and the profound life-changes in participants, Liz took up the baton to sit at the front of the room in 2018!

She is a grounded teacher, gentle, non-judgemental and exquisitely patient both with herself and her participants. Prior to being introduced to the concepts of MSC in 2015 she had a very strong inner critic, and now finds she is able to increasingly soothe this critical voice and be kinder to herself.  Now, instead of beating herself up with what she does not achieve, she intentionally acknowledges her successes, enjoying a few internal high 5s!

Liz loves providing amazing, memorable experiences where comfort and joy are the key ingredients. She is exceptional at creating, organising and running inspirational and supportive events, in-person and online. She loves learning, laughing and letting go! Liz is deeply skilled and particularly delighted about holding a kind, nurturing embrace for all participants.

Liz is a Trained Mindful Self-Compassion teacher and has taught MSC courses and workshops in the UK, Australia and online.

Have a question?

Please do let us know what information you require. 

Please email liz@kindmindacademy.com and we can arrange to give you a call. 

Or call Liz directly on +44.7812.407.992 or Kathryn directly on +44.7941.247.460

Or leave a Whats App voice message.  We will be delighted to help!

"In the silence behind what can be heard

lies the answers we have been searching for,

for so long." 

Andreas Fransson