mindfulness at our centre
The Samye Foundation Wales offers a diverse range of mindfulness courses and sessions tailored to different audiences, including children, teenagers, and adults, alongside specialized workshops and retreats. Whether you're interested in personal one-to-one sessions, group courses, or specific workshops focusing on compassion, emotions, or foundational mindfulness practices, this page provides detailed information. Additionally, the foundation organises mindfulness retreats varying from day-long to weekend events, catering to both beginners and experienced practitioners, all aimed at promoting mental well-being and compassion.
See our current courses ON events page
Our Courses
Explore our mindfulness courses, each one is described to give you a glimpse into what you can learn and experience. If a particular course sparks your interest and you're keen on delving deeper, some descriptions are accompanied by a link for more comprehensive details. To stay updated on our latest offerings and see what's currently available, be sure to visit our events page. This way, you can easily find a course that resonates with your journey towards mindfulness and well-being.
8 weeks mindfulness course
Stage 1
The Mindfulness Based Living Course is an 8-week program designed to teach you how to stay calm, focused, and grounded.
The price is £180 per person / £80 for a student/unwaged
8 weeks mindfulness course
Stage 2
A transformative mindfulness course by Gelong Thubten and Lorraine Harris, focusing on converting negative emotions like jealousy, anger, and pride into well-being and calm through meditation.
4 weeks working mindfully with emotions
stage 3
This 4-week Mindfulness course focuses on enhancing your practice by teaching techniques for mind-body integration and understanding barriers to progress.
8 weeks mindful compassion course
Stage 4
The 8 Week Compassion Based Living Course, crafted by the Mindfulness Association, teaches how to cultivate self-compassion and extend it towards others through practical mindfulness practices. It starts with foundational self-compassion techniques, tackles the inner critic, and culminates in embodying compassion in daily life.
8 MONTH MINDFULNESS Course
by anthony harris
Anthony Harris's 32-week (8-month) Mindfulness course, only offered once a year, goes beyond the basics introduced in the 8-week training, aiming for a deeper understanding and daily integration of Mindfulness. This advanced program delves into the maturation of the mind, addressing psychological and energetic blocks, and emphasizing the significance of relationships with oneself, others, and the environment.
one to one mindfulness sessions
with lorraine or anthony
One-to-one sessions with Lorraine or Anthony, catering to those who prefer a more private setting or flexible scheduling, with options for both in-person and online participation.
MINDFULNESS FOR CHILDREN
Mindfulness for primary school children
Mindfulness in Schools Programme (MiSP) for 7 to 10 Year Olds. Otherwise known as Dot B.
Please visit our events page for current bookings
Mindfulness for teenagers
Mindfulness for Youth developed by the Mindfulness Association
MINDFULNESS 2 HOUR WORKSHOPS
Mindfulness foundation workshop
This workshop will identify what mindfulness is as well as introduce the history of mindfulness and some mindfulness terminology. You will also learn about the neuroscientific evidence for mindfulness, as well as have opportunity to practice mindfulness exercises that you can apply at home or at work. We will look at what is triggering stress and anxiety and causing us not to be mindful.
“Really enjoyable. Great environment, interesting and helpful techniques to experience… and great opportunity to meet new people” (Course participant)
Mindfulness with the emotions workshop
Learn how to handle unpleasant emotions in this workshopThis workshop is based on a course written by Samye Foundation Wales Director Gelong Thubten (a Buddhist monk since 1993) The workshop will explore the negative emotions and how we can help prevent ourselves from getting caught up in them. You will learn mindfulness techniques that can help you to handle unpleasant emotions as well as provide other benefits in your daily life. Emphasis will also be placed on altruism.
The workshop is facilitated by tutor Lorraine Harris who is an experienced tutor of mindfulness. See the tutor page: https://sfwales.org/mindfulness-trainers/ During the pandemic this course will be offered Online using Zoom. In the future it will be available both at our Mindfulness and Wellbeing Centre and on Zoom.
Mindfulness with compassion workshop
This workshops acts as a good taster session if you are considering attending the 8 Week CBLC course.
We will look at what compassion is and discuss why we should practice it.
We will look at our Intention and Motivation for our practice and use Settling, Grounding and Resting Mindfulness components with the elements of Soften Soother and Allow as the main focus
Mindfulness retreats
Guided mindfulness day retreat
Usually if you are embarking on a retreat it is probably better to have some meditation/mindfulness experience. These retreat days are run by either Anthony or Lorraine. The whole day is in silence, even the tea and lunch breaks but during the sessions you will be gently guided through the day. During the breaks we can direct people to our library to read, or you can walk around the garden.
For those attending via zoom: Although you will be on retreat at home you will be reminded to practise mindfulness in your breaks while making and drinking your tea, as well as your lunch. There will be some Mindful Walking as well so make sure you have some space in the room you are practising in. The day will start off with a short introduction from Anthony and then you will be mindfully guided through the day.
You are welcome to bring your own vegetarian lunch, or you can book your food on arrival at the Vegan cafe on site which has a good selection to choose from. Standard tea and coffee will be provided throughout your day. However, if you prefer filtered or speciality coffee and teas, they can be purchased from the cafe.
Please visit our events page for current bookings
"Unguided" midfulness silent day retreat
Usually if you are embarking on a retreat it is probably better to have some meditation/mindfulness experience. The whole day is in silence, even the tea and lunch breaks but during the sessions. During the breaks we can direct people to our library to read, or you can walk around the garden.
For those attending via zoom: Although you will be on retreat at home you will be reminded to practise mindfulness in your breaks while making and drinking your tea, as well as your lunch. You can do some Mindful Walking as well, so make sure you have some space in the room you are practising in.
A gong sound will ring every 20 minutes where you can either choose to stretch for a moment and go back to practice, or stand up and do walking practice for 20 minutes.
We just ask for £5 towards the venue for the day. If you are already a Mindful Friend then this is included in your membership.
Guided mindfulness weekend retreat
Usually if you are embarking on a retreat it is probably better to have some meditation/mindfulness experience. These retreat days are run by either Anthony or Lorraine. The whole day is in silence, even the tea and lunch breaks but during the sessions you will be gently guided through the day. During the breaks we can direct people to our library to read, or you can walk around the garden.
For those attending via zoom: Although you will be on retreat at home you will be reminded to practise mindfulness in your breaks while making and drinking your tea, as well as your lunch. There will be some Mindful Walking as well so make sure you have some space in the room you are practising in. The day will start off with a short introduction from Anthony and then you will be mindfully guided through the day.
You are welcome to bring your own vegetarian lunch, or you can book your food on arrival at the Vegan cafe on site which has a good selection to choose from. Standard tea and coffee will be provided throughout your day. However, if you prefer filtered or speciality coffee and teas, they can be purchased from the cafe.
Please visit our events page for current bookings
BUDDHIST MEDITATION AFTERNOON RETREAT WITH ANTHONY
A time for you and your own mind. The retreat day will be led by Anthony, an experienced meditator. Buddhist prayers will be chanted at the beginning and end of the session. The tea break will be in silence, The meditation will take place in our beautiful Buddhist shrine room. Anthony will guide you through the meditation
Programme:
1.30pm to 3pm: First session
3pm to 3.30pm: TEA BREAK
3.30pm to 5pm: Second session
5pm: End of retreat
There is a £5 reservation fee to reserve a place in the shrine room. A donation bowl will be in the room if you would like to donate to our charity and the upkeep of the centre
Cost: £5 reservation fee
Half day summer retreat with Lorraine
Enjoy a silent guided retreat with Lorraine.
Mindful Walking and movement practise included.
Please email: admin@sfwales.org to inform us you are attending
A donation bowl will be in the room if you would like to leave a donation.
Mindfulness morning with the Daffodil Sangha
Daffodil Sangha, practising in the tradition of Zen master Thich Nhat Hanh, meet at the Centre one Sunday per month for a morning of mindfulness, and also hold online meetings for those who are unable to attend in person.
Please visit our events page for current bookings
The joy of mantra half day retreat
This is a donation based event but we still require you to book so we can space everybody out.
We will all join together in the shrine room and chant mantras throughout the day. Some of the mantras will be melodic and there will also be time for meditating using the mantra quietly as you sit. This can create a sense of joy and wellbeing when we all chant as a sangha together. The mantras will include Chenrezig mantra, Tara mantra, Medicine Buddha mantra, Guru Rinpoche mantra and other mantras.
Tea and coffee will be available in the breaks. You can bring your own food if you prefer or you are welcome to make a donation . The bowl is in the Tibetan cafe for donations for the food.