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Deepening Our Practice Online Weekend Retreat Nov 23rd and 24th 

Join Paul, an experienced meditation practitioner and mindfulness teacher, for a transformative weekend retreat. Delve deeply into insight meditation and discover why how mindfulness can to help us to develop insight  into the underlying causes of mental suffering. This course delves into traditional insight meditation practices founded on mindfulness, offering practical insights into impermanence, the self, and the underlying causes of mental suffering. Ideal for both experienced practitioners and beginners, the retreat promises a blend of internal reflection and practical learning.

Schedule 
The retreat will run from 10am to 5pm on both days

Even though the retreat will take place online it will be run similarly to a residential retreat. Please only sign up for the retreat if you can commit to attending all sessions. 

Why Go On Retreat?
Formal meditation retreats are an opportunity to deepen our practice by making the intention to set aside time where we are free from some of the distractions and responsibilities of everyday life. This intention allows us to take the time to go inward and cultivate the qualities of mind and heart that help to sustain our informal practice in life. Going on retreat is one of the traditional and fundamental aspects of developing meditation practice.

What to Expect
 Even though the retreat will be held online, as much as possible we will use the same format as on a residential retreat. There will be a combination of sessions with guided meditation in front of the computer, practices to try away from the computer and Q and A sessions. As much as is practically possible we encourage participants to take the whole weekend for themselves in order to immerse into the experience as much as possible. This includes setting yourself up in an appropriate space where you are not likely to be disturbed and to let your housemates and family members know that you will be on retreat. Ideally it is beneficial if it is possible to maintain silence in your own space but this is not a requirement and depends on your own unique circumstances. 

Establishing the Intention
Intention and commitment are two of the key aspects when it comes to developing meditation practice. So we make the intention to commit ourselves fully to the retreat process. Participants are asked to attend the whole retreat and just like on a residential retreat, to attend all the sittings and to arrive on time. Please have your video on during each sitting unless your internet connection isn't strong enough - if you are very uncomfortable with having your video on please let us know in advance of the day



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About Paul McNamee

Paul is a psychology lecturer, curriculum designer and mindfulness course facilitator. He has worked on the design and delivery of mindfulness and wellbeing courses for a number of years and co-authored ‘The Mindful Heart’ a resource book for teachers introducing mindfulness in the classroom. He has also been involved in organizing mindfulness meditation retreats and family activities and was previously resident manager at a meditation retreat centre. He currently leads programmes introducing mindfulness in the community and in school settings. Paul has a degree in psychology and further qualification in adult education and design. He is a certified mindfulness teacher through the MMTCP programme with Tara Brach and Jack Kornfield and is currently completing an MSc in Mindfulness Based Wellbeing in University College Cork.

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Retreat on the 25th of MAY from 10am (IST)

Paul's philosophy

He is passionate about how an understanding of mindfulness and traditional insight meditation practices can give us a deeper sense of connection and oneness with nature. He believes that in this process both our sense of isolation and mental suffering can be relieved as well as helping to inspire action that heals our connection with the earth. One of his earliest inspirations for practicing meditation came from sitting in nature and experiencing the sense of belonging and not being separate. Since then, nature has been a constant support, inspiration and teacher throughout his journey with mindfulness meditation. Having lived for a number of years in a meditation retreat centre where he helped take care of the woodland, he has a particular resonance with the power of the forest to cultivate stillness and understanding. Drawing both on modern mindfulness and ancient insight meditation practices he believes that we can gain a much deeper insight into our internal world by taking the time to be with, explore and learn from the natural world.