About the Course and the Sessions
A Mindful Heart is a new 12-week course developed by the Foundation for Developing Compassion and Wisdom (FDCW), inspired by Pam Cayton’s Creating Compassionate Cultures program and currently being offered as a pilot by Land of Joy.
This course is designed to support participants in developing a deeper understanding of how the mind works, gradually letting go of destructive patterns of thought and behaviour while cultivating a healthy self-confidence and a deep, compassionate connection with others.
What Will Be Offered
A Mindful Heart is a structured 12-week program designed to help participants understand the mind, transform patterns, and live with purpose. The course explores three core pathways of learning: Knowledge, Strength, and Compassion, guiding participants toward a happier, more meaningful life.
The course is delivered in 12 sessions:
Session 1: The Pursuit of Happiness
Session 2: Understanding How Things Exist
Session 3: Developing Healthy Self-Confidence
Session 4: Compassion – Opening the Heart
Session 5: Mindfulness, Reflection and Critical Thinking
Session 6: Mindful Intention: What do I really want?
Session 7: Interconnection
Session 8: Embracing Change
Session 9: Perception
Session 10: Transforming Harmful Emotions
Session 11: Empathy
Session 12: Cultivating Compassion
Who is the Course For?
This course is for anyone who:
- Would like to understand the mind and change unhelpful patterns: Explore how thoughts and emotions shape experience, and learn practical ways to respond with greater clarity and balance.
- Is seeking meaningful, grounded personal growth: Develop healthy self-confidence, emotional resilience, and a clearer sense of purpose—step by step, without quick fixes or dogma.
- Cares about compassion in daily life: Cultivate compassion as a lived skill, starting with yourself and naturally extending to your relationships and community.
- Values reflective learning in a supportive environment: Whether you’re new to mindfulness or already experienced, the course offers accessible practices, thoughtful dialogue, and flexible ways to participate.
No previous experience of Buddhism or retreat is needed, just openness and curiosity.
Why Attend?
Is there anyone who doesn’t want to experience more spaciousness, contentment and joy? The message of the Buddha is that this is definitely possible, whatever practical difficulties we might be facing in our everyday life.
This retreat will offer the opportunity to:
- Gain clearer understanding of your mind and habits
- Build emotional strength and healthy self-confidence
- Develop practical, lived compassion for yourself and others
- Align your life more closely with what truly matters
Cost and Schedule
This program is offered by donation.
Date: Wednesdays 7pm-8:10pm from the 18th February until 3rd June with a 4 week break from 15th April until 13th May.
You are welcome to commit to the full course or attend on a drop-in-basis
How to Book
For more information on how to book your place or to make a donation, please visit the Land of Joy event page here
Facilitator
Wendy Ridley –
Wendy worked for many years in education – as a teacher, university lecturer, Education Authority advisor, and education consultant. This has provided her with skills and passion to develop and deliver training programmes. Since attending her first meditation course in 1976 she has volunteered in six very different meditation centres. Wendy is a senior FDCW Faculty member teaching internationally all levels of FDCW’s programmes and is the FPMT Service Seminar Co-Ordinator. She is an FDCW board, member, a trained yoga teacher, and has enjoyed many retreats.
