Saying Yes, Saying No - a Mindful Communication Retreat

“When you are busy judging people, you have no time to love them.” 

Marshall Rosenberg

When interacting with others, we often find ourselves triggered and then communicate in ways that hurt or harm - ourselves, the other, or the relationship between us.  Our conditioned ideas of what it means to communicate, especially during times of conflict, frequently results in a loss of connection.  Judgement and defence, as well as the strategies of criticism, insults, blame or put-downs are commonly used in our attempt to be heard or to meet our need to be “right”, “good” or “winning”.  Despite our best efforts and intentions, we habitually  become “violent” with our words and then feel the pain of disconnection.

This retreat explores the principles and practices of mindfulness and non-violent communication (NVC), to foster connection and minimize the suffering of outmoded ways of engaging. We will practice both intra-personal and inter-personal mindfulness in order to cultivate skills of empathy, compassion and a better understanding of self and other. Contemplative dyads are a way to promote social connectedness, something that we are often lacking in daily life where our time is dominated by digital devices. Together, these practices will help us communicate more consciously so that we learn to be aware of our feelings and needs, make requests to meet these needs and stay open to the feelings and needs of others.

You can expect daily mindful meditation practice to support the empowering and enriching teachings of NVC, gentle exercise, and some down time for rest and relaxation.

Lucy Draper-Clarke PhD is a mindfulness mentor and researcher-practitioner, with a doctorate in Mindfulness and Teacher Education. She now runs Heart-Mind, facilitating mindfulness retreats, and supervising Masters and PhD candidates. Through the instruction of inspiring Buddhist teachers such as Rob Nairn, Donal Creedon, Jack Kornfield and Thich Nhat Hanh, she has developed a daily meditation practice, and loves to support others in starting their own. Her light-hearted approach allows retreat participants to learn through a joyful, yet transformative experience.

Felicity Joan Hart has practised meditation, mindfulness and yoga for over 35 years and now teaches within these modalities. Her formal qualifications include an Honours Degree in Psychology, international coaching qualifications, and a PGC in Mindfulness-Based Interventions from the University of Stellenbosch. She is an enthusiastic student and teacher of Non-Violent communication as developed by Dr Marshall Rosenberg.   Her teaching style is interesting, intuitive, precise, responsive and entertaining.

Cost for 2-night retreat:

Single room with shared bathroom (only 3 available): R3200

Twin/double room with en suite bathroom (per person): R3000

Twin/double room with shared bathroom (per person): R2800

Dormitory (per person): R2550

Camping (own tent & bedding): R2350

Single use of twin rooms is also available on request, at a supplementary cost.

Book directly with the Tara Rokpa Centre here.

A 50% deposit secures your place. This is non-refundable, but is transferable to another TRC retreat. Do not let your inability to pay prevent you from attending. Contact the Tara Rokpa Centre for scholarships, payment options and volunteer trade opportunities.

For general retreat information about what to bring, please click here.