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July 2019
Summer Meditation Retreat 2019: The Body is the Ground
Our annual Summer retreat on Holy Island for beginners Mindsprings summer meditation retreat on Holy Island is aimed at anyone who is looking to explore practice in a more body-based way. Taught by Alistair Appleton and Kirsty Davidson. Suitable for practiced meditators and complete beginners alike, the 7 -retreat is a chance to visit meditation afresh in the beautiful natural surrounding of this car-free Scottish island, enjoy delicious food and make new friends. Connecting with the body, connecting with the World…
Find out more »August 2019
Worried Minds, Peaceful Bodies: working with anxiety and panic
The importance of working with anxiety and panic So many modern people live in an almost constant state of anxiety. We might be conscious of it: in panic attacks, anxious moods, obsessive worry or phobias. Or we might be unconscious of it: compulsive busyness, addictions, self-criticism or grandiosity. Anxiety and the avoidance of anxiety are at the root of a whole host of mental disturbances. But shockingly, few of us know sensible ways of working with anxiety and panic. Effective…
Find out more »September 2019
An Introduction to Embodied Meditation in Ireland
Alistair is teaching embodied meditation in Ireland. After a 2 year break, Alistair Appleton is back in Dublin to teach a weekend exploring Embodied Meditation in Ireland. Based on his work as psychotherapist and his studies with the American Dharma teacher, Reggie Ray, Alistair is leading a 2-day introduction to the field of 'embodied meditation'. It will be suitable for all levels: beginners or practitioners wanting to explore this new paradigm of meditation. The feeling of bodily well-being can be…
Find out more »October 2019
Maitri: Holy Island Compassion Retreat 2019
Our annual Compassion retreat on Holy Island This autumn’s Mindsprings retreat on Holy Island is again looking at the subject of compassion - focusing particularly on the experience of loving our complete Self. Taught by Alistair Appleton and Kirsty Davidson. This retreat is a more intensive practice opportunity for experienced somatic practitioners. It allows us to go much more deeply into the practices and enjoy longer periods of silence with less need for teaching. You need to have experience of a Mindsprings…
Find out more »Maitri: the Buddhist practice of self-acceptance
What is maitri? The Buddhist conception of compassion is profound. On one level there is a strong drive to let go of 'self' and put others first. But, before we can truly do that we need profound self-acceptance. Otherwise we might waste our life-energy in self-hatred. Or worse still, our 'compassion' will be eaten up in unconscious agendas. This is why the practice of 'maitri' or self-acceptance is central to what Buddhists call bodhicitta or the awakening heart. We have…
Find out more »November 2019
Weekly Somatic Meditation Class in Brighton Sussex
A weekly somatic meditation class in Brighton Alistair Appleton is back in Brighton this Winter, leading a 6 week introduction (or refresher) in the ground practices of somatic meditation. This weekly somatic meditation class in Brighton will be on Thursday evenings from 7pm till 9pm for six weeks. It's open to practitioners of all levels. Beginners are welcome. As are meditators who are intrigued by somatic meditation and would like to explore it. Somatic Meditation can revolutionise our practice. 'Somatic meditation is…
Find out more »Reducing Anxiety in Brussels with Somatic Meditation
Reducing anxiety with somatic meditation in Brussels. Alistair is coming to Brussels to teach his powerful weekend for reducing anxiety using somatic meditation So many modern people live in an almost constant state of anxiety. We might be conscious of it: in panic attacks, anxious moods, obsessive worry or phobias. Or we might be unconscious of it: compulsive busyness, addictions, self-criticism or grandiosity. Anxiety and the avoidance of anxiety are at the root of a whole host of mental disturbances.…
Find out more »December 2019
Introduction to Somatic Meditation in the Netherlands
Alistair is teaching somatic meditation in the Netherlands. Alistair Appleton is delighted to be teaching for the first time in Nijmegen this December, running a weekend exploring Somatic Meditation in the Netherlands. Based on his work as psychotherapist and his studies with the American Dharma teacher, Reggie Ray, Alistair is leading a 2-day introduction to the field of 'embodied meditation'. It will be suitable for all levels: beginners or practitioners wanting to explore this new paradigm of meditation. The…
Find out more »Worried Minds, Peaceful Bodies: working with anxiety and panic
The importance of working with anxiety and panic So many modern people live in an almost constant state of anxiety. We might be conscious of it: in panic attacks, anxious moods, obsessive worry or phobias. Or we might be unconscious of it: compulsive busyness, addictions, self-criticism or grandiosity. Anxiety and the avoidance of anxiety are at the root of a whole host of mental disturbances. But shockingly, few of us know sensible ways of working with anxiety and panic. Effective…
Find out more »January 2020
Maitri Meditation and Internal Family Systems
What is maitri meditation? Maitri meditation offers a really powerful and useful practice for understanding what makes us tick. It also gives us the means to love ourselves wisely. This weekend is drawing on Alistair Appleton's work as a therapist and his experience as a meditator in the Buddhist tradition. Much of Buddhism is grounded on an exploration of love. The Tibetan teacher, Chögyam Trungpa calls appreciation of others "compassion". Appreciation of our selves is called "maitri". The one without…
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