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Mindwork

Advanced Mindful Compassion Retreat, Thailand 2025

Mindful Compassion Retreat with Professor Russell Kolts. We are now ready with our Advanced Mindful Compassion Retreat in 2025. The retreat will take place from Saturday 11th January to Saturday 18th January. If you wish to know more about the retreat, please contact us at info@mindwork.dk.

Compassion: “A sensitivity to the suffering of self and others, with a deep commitment to try to prevent and relieve it”

The program will build upon the ideas and practices from Compassion Focused Therapy (Gilbert, 2009, 2014) Mindful Compassion (Gilbert & Choden, 2013) and Experiencing Compassion Focused Therapy from the Inside Out” Kolts et al, 2018). During the five days we will focus on deepening and elaborating the qualities and skills of the ‘compassionate mind’, working in depth with self-criticism, difficult emotions and other challenging aspects of human life.

The retreat is designed for participants who have either previous been on our Mindful Compassion Retreat or have experience in working with compassion. The retreat is experiential and practice-based and the focus is even more than the previous retreats on the application of mindful compassion in relation to self-reflection and personal development aiming to facilitate growth and wellbeing on a deeper level.

To secure a common starting point for all participants, bookings from participants who have not participated in our previous retreats or similar training might require some proof of prior Mindful Compassion training and/or practice. If you are interested in the retreat and have no experience with Mindful Compassion training you are welcome to contact us to hear about training opportunities.

Program

Building on our previous training, the 5-day program will provide in depth experiential compassionate mind training, preparing you to work with difficult and challenging aspects of life, and to embrace positive emotions and wellbeing.

This advanced retreat will include work on:

  • Deepening Wisdom: 
    We will continue to look at some of the ideas and psychoeducation linked to the Compassion Focused Therapy model, and in particular, consider how this can apply to our own lives; we’ll explore in to the idea of social mentalities and common humanity of difficulties that we face as humans in life.
  • Mindfulness practice:
    Deepening of the here-and-now, with particular emphasis on how mindfulness can support the compassionate mind and developing open awareness practices.
  • Using the body to help the mind:
    Exploring in more detail how body focusing, movement, settling and physiological processes create the grounding for the compassionate self.
  • Compassion cultivation and focusing: 
    Having further cultivated the compassionate self, we will spend time directing and focusing this. There will be three key foci here:
    • Turning the compassionate self to work with difficult emotions and aspects of self we find troubling or distressing.
    • Working on development of positive affect and loving kindness practices.
    • Exploration of more advanced practices.

You will be staying 7 nights at the Wyndham Hua Hin Pranburi Resort & Villas, Thailand. We have carefully chosen it for the retreat, as this resort offers an unique possibility for peace and concentration which will support the personal development process during the staying. The resort offers harmonious surroundings with graceful nature, fantastic gastronomy and exquisite personal service. You can read more about the resort at wyndhamhuahin.com.

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Sign up here

I hereby sign up for the Advanced Mindful Compassion Retreat in Thailand from the 11th of January to the 18th of January 2025.

IMPORTANT: Make sure your own travel insurance cover in case of new Covid19 restrictions.











    Special requests:

    I'm interested in information about group travel from Copenhagen (DK).

    I wish to upgrade to a pool villa for 2 persons for an additional fee of 5.500 kr. approx. € 750 per villa.


    I wish to upgrade to a seaview studio for an additional fee of 1.500 kr. approx. € 200 per room.

    Payment details:








    conditions (PDF)
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    Pratical information

    Dates:
    The 11th of January to the 18th of January 2025.
    The workshop runs from the 13th of January to the 17th of January 2025.

    IMPORTANT: Make sure your own travel insurance cover in case of new Covid19 restrictions.

    Fee*:
    21.900 DKK (approx. € 2950) until 1st of July 2023. After this date the price is 22.900 DKK (approx. € 3100).

    Flight not included.

    The rate includes accommodation for 7 nights in single room at Wyndham Hua Hin Pranburi Resort & Villas with daily breakfast, 5 days workshop and retreat-program with lunch, 3 dinners, and 1 massage at the spa.

    It is possible to upgrade to a 2 persons pool villa at an additional charge 0f 5.500 DKK (approx. € 750).

    You can also upgrade to a deluxe seaview room for an additional 1.500 DKK.  (approx. €200).

    If you wish to share a double room with another participant, a reduction in price is possible. Call or e-mail us to hear more.

    It will be possible to extend your stay in Thailand. Mindwork has an agreement with the resort that offers you advantageous prices for additional nights.

    Transfer
    Mindwork will help coordinate transfer for participants arriving in Bangkok (Suvarnabhumi Airport) Saturday morning before 07:00.

    * The fee in Euro is converted from the price in DKK, which is at all times the one that applies. There can therefore be slight adjustments in the € price.

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    About Professor Russell Kolts

    Russell Kolts is Professor of Psychology at Eastern Washington University and Director of the Inland Northwest Compassionate Mind Center in Spokane, Washington, USA. An international trainer in CFT, he has authored or co-authored scientific articles on various areas of psychology and has authored several books about Compassion-Focused Therapy and compassion, including An Open-Hearted Life: Transformative Lessons on Compassionate Living from a Clinical Psychologist and a Buddhist Nun (with Thubten Chodron), CFT Made Simple, and Experiencing Compassion Focused Therapy from the Inside Out (with Tobyn Bell, James Bennett-Levy, and Chris Irons).

    Professor Russell Kolts will be responsible for the five days of training, teaching, self-development and inspiration based on CFT.

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    What is CFT

    Compassion Focused Therapy (CFT) is an integrate approach developed by Professor Paul Gilbert. It is rooted in evolution theory, neuroscience, social- and developmental psychology, cognitive behavioural therapy and mindfulness. The approach was originally developed for people with high levels of self-criticism and shame, who tended to make less progress in traditional therapeutic approaches. Shame, self-criticism and difficulties in managing emotions are known to have an important role in keeping a certain psychological condition.

    CFT’s focus on development of empathy and self-care has proven effective in treating across diagnosis and therapy methods. CFT is now used for a broad variety of clinical presentations. Crucially, CFT emphasises the importance for practitioners to consider how this model – the insights into human suffering and distress, along with compassion based approaches to alleviating this distress – applies to themselves.

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    Testimonials

    “On these retreats there is always an atmosphere of trust, of care and of courageous honesty, that I have not experienced in any other setting. This means that the work and personal growth that can be done on the retreat is much more deep and profound, and I know that I always leave a different person than the one who arrived. I’m a little wiser, a little calmer and a lot stronger. I am ever so grateful!” Aurora Veber (a third time participant).

    “The atmosphere – the hotel and Thailand – is wonderful for learning new skills. Chris, Vibeke and Julie was truly engaged, motivated and served as great inspiration”. Signe Colding-Jørgensen.

    “Really amazing experience. The resort wraps itself around which enhances the learning and the bonding of the group. Chris was always helpful in the workshop, always compassionate and hed everyones emotions respectfully” Alice Campbell.

    “The surroundings are amazing; the heat, beautiful plants and flowers, damp smells, sounds and smells awakens your senses to explore the human mind. I felt as a new person with the potential to be a wiser, stronger and more caring version of myself.” Maria R. Madsen.

    “Chris is one of the best teachers I have met in my long professional life. If you want to learn compassion for yourself and in your job, this is the way to do it. Thanks a lot!” Jytte Gandløse.

    “Going as far away as Thailand had a big influence on me. The group, the accommodation and the concept all together influenced me on my way back to myself. I thank all and also myself for that.” Heidi Rosenqvist.

    “Excellent experience. I will never forget it.” Marie Kingston.

    “Chris lives and breathes compassion and there is no better teacher than one who walks his talk. The depth of learning from this programme is encouraging me to become the best version of myself.” Tatjana Walters.

    “This Mindfull Compassion Retreat is the best thing I have ever done for myself. After a week with a completely well organised program in amazing surroundings, I am leaving Thailand with gratitude, strength, wisdom and great compassion to myself. Chris is the perfect instructor and the organizers have been fantastic. It has been a complete experience.” Lisette Bjerregaard. 

    “The Mindful Compassion Retreat 2017 gave me an indescribable opportunity to learn about compassion both personally and professionally. The instructor, Chris, has been extremely competent and there has been a good mix between theory, exercises and contemplation. The course facilitators are clearly passionate about what they do and it is wonderful to be around people, who have a natural interest in making their guests feel good.” Kirstine Nørrelykke.

    “Chris is authentic, knowledgeable and caring. The best teacher i have ever met, and I have met quite a few. If you are ready to look at and challenge yourself, this retreat is amazing and a fantastic opportunity for development both personally and professionally.” Susanne Vineke.

    “This Mindful Compassion Retreat has been a defining moment in my life and for my future. THANK YOU!” Hanne Otte.

    “This retreat brings development both privately and professionally. The perfect match between the two results in a complete a feeling of perfection”. Tove L.

    “It has been a lovely and fantastic experience. It has given me more insights into myself and I know I will be able to work more authentic with compassion in the future.” Puk E.

    “The concept about mindful compassion is important to share in many professional areas, where we work with other people. It gives you food for thought, that can be used in many aspects of life – both professionally and privately.” Pia Muller.

    “Wonderful retreat! Good instructor with the perfect combination of theoretical knowledge and practical know how. Fantastic surrounding with room for reflection and growth. Nobody will leave here without valuable insights”.  Louise Harboe.

    “A great retreat, professionally organised and presented. A week to spend time on yourself and learn and practice tools to be more compassionate to ourselves and others. All conducted in a great environment. Take time for your self, this retreat allows it”. Cheryl Cornelius.

    “The training was very well balanced and helped in staying alerted, focused and able to learn and integrate the learning. Take this time to go away and immerse yourself in this training”. Judy Vidulich.

    “A lifechanging experience! This was really a retreat. I will contain all my memories from here, and I’m sure it will prevent any burnout. What a wonderful group experience with dedicated and motivated retreat facilitators”. John Lerche.

    “The Mindful Compassion retreat is the experience of a lifetime – it has provided me with a deeper understanding of the struggles of life and how to both accept and alleviate suffering in myself and my loved ones. I highly recommend this retreat.” Michaela Thomas.

    Ideal blend of theory, personal development, social/private life, food, drinks and warmth! You don’t have to know about Mindful Compassion beforehand to learn it”. Christian Frøkjær Thomsen.

    “This retreat was a truly amazing experience. The mix between theory and experiential practice allowed me to fully understand the model and myself. The experience on the retreat has helped me to understand myself greater which in turn can help me to help the people that I work with too. The experience of being in Thailand in an lovely setting also allows you to experience the deep and dark places that your mind can go to and fully understand difficult emotions such as shame. I would really recommend this retreat to any practitioner wanting to not only understand themselves deeper but also to help the people that they work with”. Sunil Lad.