Good in the Beginning
Our Annual New Year Retreat
with John Douglas, Kirsten DeLeo, Jeff DeLeo and Mary Moriarty
Saturday December 28, 11am to Wednesday January 1, 1pm
Traditionally the New Year is a time for making a fresh start and reflecting on the direction we would like our life to take.
This retreat is an ideal opportunity to reflect on our priorities and to begin the coming year in a way that is in tune with our deeper values and natural wish for deeper contentment and well-being in our lives.
The essence of developing a spiritual approach to life is learning to embrace any situation as an opportunity to become more aware, genuine and open-hearted. During this retreat we will focus on the practices of meditation, loving-kindness and self compassion which help us to do this.
These skilful methods show us how to work with our minds and hearts, and connect us with a wiser and more authentic way of being. In an inspiring and supportive retreat environment we can begin to familiarise ourselves with these inner qualities so that we begin to embody them and can apply them to help us to face and overcome difficulties in our daily life.
“I loved this retreat. I feel like a new person – one that I like, what an achievement!” (Cathy)
Everyone is welcome to this retreat and no prior experience of meditation is needed.
Content
- Guided meditation and contemplations
- Interactive exercises
- Time for rest, relaxation and enjoying nature
- The retreat will include periods of silence including during tea breaks and some meal times
Location
The retreat will be held in our new Dzogchen Beara Temple. With expansive views across the bay, the temple is a modern example of a traditional Tibetan monastery, a form of architecture designed to be an inspiring symbol of the Buddha’s teachings for our times.
Catering
Your retreat fee includes substantial vegetarian lunches and a lighter soup and bread supper in the evenings. Breakfast is self catering.
Accommodation
If you will be travelling from further afield, we recommend that you book accommodation for the night of Wednesday 27th December to avoid a long tiring journey early on the morning of Wednesday 28th.
Fee €475
Concession €395
Dzogchen Beara has a policy of not turning anyone away for financial reasons.
Please email info@dzogchenbeara.org to to discuss flexible payment options or request assistance from our retreat fund.
Limited accommodation is available on-site. Book early!
A list of hostels, B&B’s self-catering accommodation and hotels in the local area can be seen here.
Online booking here
Read our Terms and Conditions
Enquiries by email or + 353 (0) 27 73032
Read our visitor information here.
John is a Counsellor & Psychotherapist, accredited with the IACP, working in private practice in Castletownbere and with ARC Cancer Support House in Bantry, as well as being part of the care team supporting guests at the Care Centre in Dzogchen Beara.
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
Jeff’s main interest is to help those that have a sincere interest in practicing the Buddhist teachings.
Growing up in a rural part of the USA, Jeff studied Computer Science and Psychology in university, then went into industry. He worked in Massachusetts then Silicon Valley as a designer, developer and manager. He and his wife moved to Ireland in 2018.
