Mindfulness Based Spiritual Practice

Vin Harris and Choden

“Whatever obstacles arise if you deal with them through kindness, without trying to escape then you have real freedom” Akong Rinpoche

Hybrid Retreat-  Wednesday 12th May- Sunday 16th May 2027 (times to be confirmed)

The 12 evening online sessions will run on Tuesday evenings (19.00-20.30pm) – 3rd November, 17th November, 8th December, 22nd December 2026, 5th January, 19th January, 2nd February, 16th February, 9th March, 23rd March, 13th April and 20th April 2027.

Overview

Presenting meditation without reference to its spiritual roots has helped to make it popular and accessible where it is needed most. Some common reasons people give for practicing mindfulness include: relaxation, stress reduction, wellness, and a desire for better sleep. The fact that there is a significant body of respected scientific research into the effectiveness of mindfulness in various fields, means that it is not necessary to make a leap of faith before engaging with the simple discipline of doing almost nothing.

Mindfulness practice involves turning our attention towards the ever-changing flow of what is happening, with a willingness to be with whatever arises, just as it is. Essentially, by being willing to enter into a kinder relationship with one’s inner experience, it is possible to allow things to get better by not making them worse. This is amazing – but is there something missing?

Most people who start to practice mindfulness were probably not looking for a spiritual experience, and there could be wisdom in this freedom from expectations. However, as you turn your attention and curiosity to the world within, you set out on a journey of discovery that is likely to have deeper implications.

What is Mindfulness Based Spiritual Practice?

It is both an invitation to explore how mindfulness practice might support long-term spiritual aspirations and how a spiritual perspective may enhance the value of mindfulness practice. The course is structured around 8 principles that represent the common ground shared by most spiritual traditions. Each session offers a teaching to introduce one of the eight main principles with guided reflections, meditations and conversations around how this aspect of the spiritual path might manifest in our experience. There will be time for sharing the challenges we have faced on our practice journey so far and the opportunities for growth we may have identified. Together we might discover the next steps that each of us may wish to take.

Eight Sacred Principles

Our exploration will be guided by the following sacred principles that are the common ground shared by all spiritual paths:

1. Renunciation
2. Re-orientation
3. Faith
4. Fellowship
5. Compassion
6. Contribution
7. Meaning
8. Mystery

This course is a wonderful opportunity to explore together what happens when we open our hearts and minds to the spiritual dimension of our being and practice mindfulness within a limitless perspective. Actually, we don’t need to try to create or enhance our spirituality. Just like mindfulness and compassion, it is there already, waiting to be recognised.

 “In our being there is a primordial yes that is not our own; it is not at our own disposal; it is not accessible to our inspection and understanding…..Basically, however, my being is not an affirmation of a limited self, but the “yes” of Being itself, irrespective of my own choices.” (Thomas Merton)

 Vin’s Motivation for the Course

“I feel deeply grateful that my life has been blessed through a connection with Tibetan Buddhism, but I also appreciate the way in which secular mindfulness has helped me to hear what my Buddhist teachers were trying to tell me all along. This has been my path: your path may be different. However, as you turn your attention to the world within, you set out on a journey that is likely to have deeper implications. My wish is that mindfulness can become a guesthouse for travellers whatever their quest may be; a safe resting place open to any pilgrim who seeks shelter from the storm.” Mindful Heroes.

Course Structure

The course will be delivered by way of twice monthly online teaching sessions for 90mins each starting in November 2026 and culminating in a 5-day retreat (with an online option) in May 2027. The online evening sessions will begin at 7pm and finish at 8.30pm BST.