02 Nov Mindfulness retreat with Colette Power : Connection
Residential
Dates: Sunday 24th to Friday 29th July 2022.
With Colette Power
Organisation Ker an Avalenn
French translation by Gaye Lloyd-Morris and Françoise McLean.
“We are like islands in the sea, separate on the surface but connected in the deep“. William James
This retreat includes exploration of compassion-based meditation practices, enquiry, gentle movement and close connection with nature.
It also includes time spent in silent contemplation in the hamlet’s re-energising park.
Who is this retreat for?
Whoever you are, whatever your practice, whether you are just beginning or more experienced, everyone is welcome. You may have learned through MBSR or MBCT, or other Mindfulness courses, or be a solo practitioner, or this may be your first experience; there is no particular level required to take part in this meditation retreat.
There are some contra-indications for the practice of Mindfulness. Please read the list below to see whether one or more of the criteria concerns you:
• a major depressive episode in an acute phase
• suicidal tendencies
• non-stabilised manic depression disorder (bipolar disorder)
• after-effects of psychological trauma
• dissociation
• hallucinations, delusions
If you are affected by any of the above, we are available to discuss it with you.
What Colette says about it:
“We frequently seek connection outside ourselves hoping to find it in an activity or with another person. Connection can then so easily become dependent and conditional. What if connection was everywhere, always present and always available? How would this change the way we feel, the way we practice and the way we live? Resting the mind, the body and heart enables us to heal as well as explore more deeply the nature of experience. Connecting with our environment, ourselves and each other, we align with the undivided nature of our being.”
What Nolwenn of Ker an Avalenn has to say:
“How lucky we are and what a joy it is to welcome Colette, who is rarely in France, for this meditation retreat with us in Brittany! She is a fabulous teacher with a very touching sensibility. I love her simplicity and her very British humour, her piercing clarity. Colette is a genuine person and meeting her is a great gift. I’m really looking forward to sharing the pleasure of her company with you.”
Why take part in a meditation retreat?
The practice of Mindfulness helps connect us to the truths of life, to its ever-present change, comfortable and uncomfortable. The world is seen as it really is, and not as we would like it to be. Stress is often the result of this disparity.
Numerous scientific studies have shown that we can develop capacities for self-regulation, better balance, more tranquillity, more patience, and a simpler relationship with the things that cause us suffering. A meditation retreat over several days (or longer) is a wonderful opportunity to learn to have a more authentic and closer rapport with oneself, with others and with the world.
Sometimes people arrive at the retreat with very particular expectations and sometimes they are surprised to experience something they really didn’t expect! Often for the better. Whatever your needs, bring them along, but bring your curiosity too.
Biography
Colette Power PhD www.colettepower.com
Colette is a mindfulness and self-compassion teacher, trainer and supervisor delivering retreats in the UK and Europe. She trained with Vidyamala Burch (2009) and is a senior Breathworks trainer. She also teaches Mindfulness-based Stress Reduction, Mindfulness-based Cognitive Therapy, and is a certified Mindful Self Compassion teacher.
Her teaching is informed by non-dualism (meaning ‘not-two’ or undivided). This approach helps us understand that we are not the objects of our experience (the thoughts and sensations that we regularly identify with) but pure awareness. The alleviation of human suffering is inextricably linked with the realisation that we are not separate, isolated units, but expressions of open, limitless awareness that is single and indivisible.
Here are some free-to-listen guided meditations by Colette (in English).
She explores ways of applying insights from meditation practice and dharma teachings to situations of social, political, environmental, and economic suffering and injustice. She facilitates ‘The Work That Reconnects,’ Deep Ecology workshops based on the work of Joanna Macy. Colette offers equality, diversity and inclusion training for groups and organisations and is engaged in developing mindfulness-based approaches for social change.
Colette qualified as an integrative therapist in 1995. She incorporates insight and compassion-based inquiry to gently invite us back to the source of our power, wisdom and ability to self heal. Colette holds a doctorate from The University of Liverpool.
“My work is based on the exploration of what it means to be human, embracing our vulnerabilities and capacities in the service of waking up. I teach, I write, I help others to question their own experiences and learn to reach for their resourcefulness and resilience”
Colette is a member of the British Association for Mindfulness Approaches and the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy.
Organisation
Retreat dates
- Sunday 24th to Friday 29th July 2022
Arrival and departure times for those with accommodation in the hamlet
Arrival: the holiday cottages will be ready from 2pm Sunday 24th July
Departure: please vacate your accommodation by 12 noon at latest on 29th July
If you are staying outside the hamlet please arrange arrival and departure times with your host.
Retreat times
Sunday:
5pm: Introduction to the retreat
6.30 pm: Dinner
7.30 pm: Retreat organization and practice period
8.30 pm: Rest
Monday to Thursday :
7.30 am: Movement & meditation
09.00: am BREAKFAST
10.30: am Meditation instructions
11.30: am Refreshments
12.00: am Meditation
1pm-4 pm: LUNCH and free time
4.00 pm: Movement & meditation
4.45 pm: Refreshments
5.15 pm: Meditation
6.00 pm: DINNER
7.30 pm: Meditation
8.00 pm: Silent sit
8.45 pm : Rest
Friday:
7.30 am : Movement & meditation
09.00 am : BREAKFAST & PACK
10.00 am : Final sit, comments/reflections, closing
12:00 am : LUNCH & DEPART
Terms and Conditions – Accommodation and Full board
1/ Accommodation in the hamlet
There are 4 holiday cottages within the hamlet (accommodation for 13 people):
- Ti Dour : 1 twin with ensuite shower and toilet
- Ti Gwez : 1 twin with ensuite shower and toilet
- Ti Sistr : 2 twins each with ensuite shower and toilet
- Ti Aval : 2 twins each with ensuite shower and toilet
1 medium-sized towel is provided per person as well as tea-towels.
2/ Accommodation outside the hamlet
- Château de Brélidy : Single and double rooms available (5 kms)
- Gîtes du Manoir de Kervésiou à Brélidy holiday lets (5 kms)
- Gîtes du Hérisson à Trézélan holiday lets (1 km = 14 min walk)
3/ Full board
Breakfast, lunch and dinner will be taken in the hamlet. Wherever possible we favour organic and local produce. Vegan menus are put together by our chef.
Please let us know at the time of your registration of any food allergy or intolerance.
There will be 2 refreshment periods per day during which teas, herb teas, coffee and biscuits will be provided. Tea and coffee making facilities are also available in your accommodation.
COVID 19 : to be seen according to current health conditions.
Rates
Basic rate: €750,00
Includes teaching, accommodation and full board.
Supported rate: €600,00
For those who cannot pay the basic rate. Our relationship with you is founded on trust, please choose this rate in all conscience.
Includes teaching, accommodation and full board.
Rate without accommodation : €640,00
Includes teachings and all meals.
Supplement to all rates : taxe de séjour (local government tax for vacationers)
Payment methods
All payments are due at the time of registration by:
– credit card
– bank transfer: our bank details will be available at time of registration
Payment terms
Credit card payments can be made in whole or divided into 3 instalments without costs
Cancellation policy
- 2 months in advance : reimbursement = totality minus €80 administration fee
- 1 month before the event : reimbursement = 50 %
- Less than 1 month: no reimbursement possible.
In the case of the event being cancelled by Ker an Avalenn, all amounts already paid will be reimbursed in full.
Covid 19: you can feel relaxed booking your retreat thanks to our partnership with Chapka Assurance.
Chapka Assurance will cover you if you, your partner, a member of your family or any other person with whom you live is tested positive for COVID-19 before you are due to travel, as well as for other situations of justified cancellation.
See the different policies available from Chapka on: www.chapkadirect.fr
To bring with you
What to pack: the Breton weather adheres to the law of impermanence, even though, as the local saying goes « the weather is beautiful several times a day » and it is quite possible that even in mid-summer, there are a few showers and the evenings can be quite cool.
Suggested packing list: Warm pullover, waterproof jacket, flip-flops, comfortable clothes, a blanket or shawl, a large towel to place on the mat. We request that all towels and bed covers provided by the hamlet stay in the rooms.
Use of the meditation hall: slippers and warm socks are welcome. Shoes to be left at the entrance.
Torch: it is suggested you bring a torch in case you wish to take a walk in the late evening, even though the hamlet has an automatic lighting system all the way along the principal walkway.
Eye-masks and ear plugs: Please be aware that night falls late in the west of France (around 11pm in summer). The cottages are not equipped with shutters although there are black-out curtains. As the accommodation is in shared rooms, ear-plugs might be useful!
Alarm clock: as only a very limited use of mobile phones will be encouraged it is suggested you bring an alarm clock
Adapter plug: if necessary…
The guide to the hamlet will be available for download shortly.
Itinerary
