Authentic Presence Immersion
Training in the Contemplative-based Approach to End-of-Life Care
Skills training in the contemplative-based approach to end-of-life care for health and social care professionals, spiritual care providers, doulas and volunteers.
- How can I prevent becoming overwhelmed by the loss I witness?
- How do I stay present without losing my own sense of well-being?
- How do I speak about death and address deeper fears and concerns with patients and families?
Presence, compassion and skilled expertise are critical in offering comfort and support for dying patients. Authentic Presence Immersion is an experiential training in contemplative-based end-of-life care. The training offers participants the space and the opportunity to strengthen their inner balance and enhance their skills and knowledge serving the dying. It explores the deeper dimension of living, dying, caregiving and spiritual care by bringing together the practical knowledge of today’s palliative care environments with the contemplative methods of mindfulness, compassion and awareness.
Led by a team of experienced health and social care professionals, spiritual providers and meditation teachers from Ireland and Europe.
Authentic Presence Immersion employs a variety of learning modalities, including individual, group and interactive work, as well as presentations.
Apply and integrate contemplative tools and resources
Through learning how to apply and integrate contemplative tools and resources, participants will learn to:
- Cultivate greater mindful awareness and manage their responses
- Practice self-compassion in the day-to-day encounters with experiences of suffering and mortality and sustain compassionate intention
- Enhance their competencies and skills and increase trust and confidence in their own inner wisdom
- Embody authentic presence
Facilitating a dying person’s process
Participants will learn how to facilitate a dying person’s process towards:
- Understanding and transforming suffering
- Experiencing a genuine connection with others and healing relationships
- Finding meaning in life, illness, and dying
- Finding a source of comfort or peace
Topics that will be covered
Contemplative Practice & Contemplative Care
Introduction to the contemplative care model of authentic presence
Practising self-care and self-compassion during challenging times: contemplative resources for building resilience and connecting with our sources of joy,
Spirituality and purpose
Sustaining a compassionate attitude and cultivating authentic presence in therapeutic relationships
Dealing with the realities of suffering, grief and mortality
Creating a peaceful environment in different settings
Caregiving as a spiritual and contemplative practice
Training in Contemplative Listening and Communication
Extensive training in the model of ‘Contemplative Listening and Communication’ and its practical applications working with patients, families and staff
‘Council’ – a listening model for family and bereavement support and team meetings
Assessing and responding to the needs of the dying
Identifying and addressing practical, psycho-social and spiritual needs
Managing complex care situations
Healing relationships and methods for resolving unfinished business
Addressing the deeper dimensions of the dying process
Recognizing and addressing spiritual pain
Supporting patients and families to prepare for death and saying good-bye
Bereavement
Understanding the process of bereavement and the spiritual dimension of bereavement
Watch this video and be inspired
Certification
The Immersion module is part of the Certificate in Contemplative End-of-Life Care offered by Authentic Presence Program US. The course has enjoyed great success in the USA for the past 20 years. It is the third time it is held at Dzogchen Beara Meditation Centre. The module can be taken as a stand-alone or part of the Certificate.
For more information you can visit authentic-presence.org or send an email to usa@authentic-presence.org.
Location
The training will be held at the Spiritual Care Centre at Dzogchen Beara, West Cork, Ireland. Dzogchen Beara is known for its breathtaking beauty and spectacular views. Nearly everyone who has come to visit has commented on the healing power of the natural environment and the pervasive atmosphere of deep peace and tranquility. There couldn’t be a better place for the immersive experience of this training.
Dzogchen Beara Meditation Centre is a 2 – 2.5 hours drive from the Cork, Kerry and Shannon airports which offer international flights.
Apply Now
If you are interested in participating in this training, you are requested to please complete this Application Form. Please use this document to help prepare and gather your responses.
Meals
Vegetarian lunches and light evening meals are provided. The cost is included in your fee.
Accommodation
Limited accommodation is available on-site and can be viewed and booked as you register. Early booking advised!
Kirsten DeLeo
Kirsten DeLeo is a meditation teacher and author of the award-winning book “Present Through The End. A Caring Companion’s Guide for Accompanying the Dying”. Kirsten has accompanied seriously ill patients and their families for more than twenty-five years and has been immersed in Buddhist practice for over twenty years, including a three-year meditation retreat. She helped to pioneer “Authentic Presence”, one of the first training programmes in contemplative end-of-life care in the US. Kirsten lives near Dzogchen Beara where she teaches regularly and supports the guests of the Spiritual Care Centre. Kirsten is known for her clarity and warmth and shares the practices of meditation and compassion in a down-to-earth way.
To find out more about Kirsten, visit: kirstendeleo.com
Chantal Bergers
Chantal Bergers, MD, has worked with dying people in her eighteen years as a general practitioner and in recent years in nursing homes. She has been a palliative care consultant and teacher for over ten years and is a member of the European Association of Palliative Care (EAPC) Taskforce Spiritual Care. Chantal is a trainer in Deep Listening and an educator in the Spiritual Care Programme offering skills training and workshops on death and dying in Holland and Germany.
John Douglas
John Douglas first became interested in Buddhist Meditation in 1990 and moved to West Cork in 1994 to become part of the Dzogchen Beara community. As a Senior Meditation Instructor and Spiritual Care Educator, John is one of Dzogchen Beara’s main facilitators on a range of courses and workshops including Facing Loss and Healing Grief, Deep Listening, Self Compassion and Healing Relationships.
John is a Counsellor & Psychotherapist, accredited with the IACP, working in private practice in Castletownbere and in ARC Cancer Support House in Bantry, as well as being part of the care team supporting guests at the Care Centre in Dzogchen Beara.
Noel Kennedy
BSocSC. H-DipASs. NQSW, Complicated Grief Counsellor
Noel currently is the principal social worker at Milford Care Centre, a specialist palliative care service in the Midwest of Ireland. He helps manage the Social Work Department, Pastoral Care Team, Staff Support Service, all of which play a role in accompanying the dying. He continues to have direct involvement with patients and their families. Over the last twenty-five years, he has worked for both statutory and voluntary organisations in community settings, residential care settings and now specialist palliative care. Deepening his understanding of spiritual care and its role in all our lives drew him to Authentic Presence. Noel is a graduate of Authentic Presence’s Contemplative End-of-Life Care Certificate Programme.