Practising acceptance is transformative. It is also the simple basis for naturally arising compassion. If we can accept our feelings as real, understandable and (more often than not) workable, we find that inner conflict and complexity drains less of our energy. Then we have more headspace and heartspace to be compassionate in the world.
As our mindfulness practice unfolds we develop greater awareness. This is like turning up a dimmer switch in the room of our mind. As we begin to see more clearly we may find ourselves surprised or disturbed by what is there. Practicing acceptance is a way to continue turning towards who we are and what we’re experiencing. Mindfulness gives us a taste for being aware and present in our lives. Acceptance offers the gentleness and resilience we need to continue through the ups and downs, to meet whatever comes. This opens up the path to compassion and insight.
Acceptance practice is something we need to circle back to again and again as we practise over the years. This course offers a chance to practise acceptance with a group of practitioner friends online, guided by an experienced teacher.
You have completed an eight-week course in Mindfulness, such as MBSR or MBCT and would like to proceed to our Level 2: Responding with Compassion course.
You have already done the Level 1 or the MBLC and would like to revisit some of the key practices to deepen your experience of them, before proceeding to Level 2.
You have experience of mindfulness or meditation and simply wish to deepen your practice in acceptance and compassion with the support of an online community of practice in a standalone course.
Originally from Glasgow, Lisa now lives in Pembrokeshire west Wales where the midges are "less ferocious". Lisa works alongside Jacky Seery in the communications department. With a BAHons in Graphic Design, Lisa has worked freelance as a designer working in many media over the years, from leaflet and brochure design, designing illustrative town and village maps, to training to work creatively with children and adults with Community Arts group Arts Alive in Crickhowell, and more recently with older members of the community mainly on collaborative textile projects. Her first visit to Samye Ling in 1992 was to spark a journey into Buddhist teachings which created a strong connection with Samye Ling. In 1994 she took the first year's Mindfulness & Compassion course which has led to her now studying on the Msc Mindfulness Studies Course run by the University of Aberdeen, where she researching the place of mindfulness in the delivery and practice of the creative arts.
