Conhecer-Se is organising, in partnership with the Faculty of Human and Social Sciences of the University of Algarve, silence retreats with renowned Mindfulness teachers and with simultaneous translation into Portuguese.
Calming the Body, Knowing the Mind, with Karunavira
16th to 21st January 2023
Karuna Retreat Centre, Monchique, Algarve
This retreat is an opportunity to deepen, develop and refresh your personal practice of Mindfulness. The retreat will be based on an exploration of the framework known as The Four Foundations of Mindfulness. We will practice together in silence, alternating between formal Mindfulness practices and movement (Chi Kung and Yoga) in a beautiful and tranquil space, using transitions – arrivals and departures, entrances and exits, meals and rest periods – as integral elements.
The retreat will include guided practices, periods of walking meditation, to bring the practice into the experience of everyday life. There will be an emphasis on continuity of awareness, with informal practice emphasised and encouraged between periods of formal practice. We will have periods of sustained silence to allow greater connection to inner experience, but there will be opportunities for sharing about the practice – from silence – in small groups.
This retreat will be led in English, with simultaneous translation into Portuguese, and fulfils the conditions for MBSR / MBCT teacher certification and continuing professional development.
- Check-in at Karuna Retreat Centre from 14:00 to 16:00 on Monday 16th January 2023.
- The retreat begins at 17:00.
- The last session will end at noon on Saturday 21st January 2023, followed by lunch at 13:00 (optional)
The Team
Karunavira – Teacher
Karunavira has a Masters in Mindfulness Based Approaches with Bangor University (UK) and a degree in Person Centred Counselling. He is the founding director of Mindful Health, which runs Mindfulness teacher training programmes in the UK National Health Service, where he is also a Mindfulness Therapist. He was Spiritual Director of Brighton Buddhist Centre from 1999 to 2009 and has been a teacher of Meditation and Buddhist Studies since 1989. Karunavira lectures to carers and health providers, young people and groups.
Publication: ‘The eye of the storm’: The wellbeing of NHS staff. MBCT feasibility study (2014). Co-author of the book ‘Essential Resources for Mindfulness Teachers’, Routledge 2020.
Teresa Ranieri – Assistant
Teresa Ranieri has been practising meditation since 1988 and facilitating Mindfulness-based courses since 2014. Teresa completed an MA in “Teaching Mindfulness-Based Interventions” at the Psychology department of Bangor University (UK) where she also certified to teach the MBCT programme. Teresa also holds a Masters in Pedagogy in the context of body movement and combines this expertise in teaching Mindfulness.
Teresa has been working as a Mindfulness facilitator at NewLife Portugal since July 2022.
Inês Águas – Translator
Co-founder of Conhecer-Se, Mindfulness teacher certified by the Mindfulness Training Institute, Inês has been practicing meditation for 30 years, and simultaneously translating workshops and retreats for just as long.
Price & Registration
The retreat costs 550€, inc. meals and accommodation. It also includes a donation of 50€ to Conhecer-Se, non-refundable in the event of cancellation or no show. If your financial situation allows you to donate more, please do so! Your donations are very much needed and appreciated and will allow us to organise retreats that are as inclusive, diverse and accessible as possible.
To book this retreat, please fill in the Pre-Registration Form – we will be in touch by email to confirm availability and let you know what to do to conclude your booking.
All personal data collected on this form is solely used for this retreat – we do not store, use or share participants’ personal details without their consent.