Foundation for Developing Compassion and Wisdom

Hybrid: Sunday Morning Meditations for a Meaningful Life Organized by the Kadampa Centre
2025-06-29 09:00 - 10:00, 2025-06-22 09:00 - 10:00, 2025-06-15 09:00 - 10:00, 2025-06-08 09:00 - 10:00, 2025-06-08 08:00 - 17:00 (America/Halifax) | Online
“Many people think excitement is happiness…. But when you are excited you are not peaceful. True happiness is based on peace.” ― Thich Nhat Hanh
About the Sessions
Join us on Sunday morning ( ET) for an hour to pause, center, and restore to a happier and more peaceful mind to support you in being a bit more resilient in a world which does not always make sense anymore. These guided meditations are to help you calm your mind, explore your own nature and develop a more peaceful perception on life. When you are well with yourself, you will be more able to be well with others and the world.
These meditations are very practical, they are not within a religious context, so they are suitable for people of different beliefs, ages and abilities, for beginners as well as for those with more experience.

Registrations are not required.
What are the meditations based on?
They are based on a set of values and principles aimed at helping individuals cultivate a more peaceful and meaningful life. They are divided into four categories:

how we think (humility, patience, contentment and delight)
how we act (kindness, honesty, generosity and right speech)
how we relate to others (respect, forgiveness, gratitude and loyalty)
how we find meaning (aspiration, principles, service and courage).

These guidelines provide a framework for personal growth, encouraging individuals to think, act, relate, and find meaning in ways that foster a harmonious and fulfilling life.
How to Join
The sessions are offered in person at the Kadampa Centre and online:

TIME: 9.00 – 10.00 am ET
DATES: Sundays from 11th May – 24th August 2025
ONLINE: Register to join Zoom here
IN PERSON: at the Kadampa Centre

The meditations are freely offered but if you would like to make to support the Kadampa Centre, please make a donation using this link .

Why meditate?
When you control your mind with wisdom you create the space you need to discover peace and joy. Your life then becomes peaceful and joyful and somewhat protected from the ups and downs of the external world. For beginner to advanced meditators.
More info
For more information please visit the Kadampa Centre website

Empathy Circles in Hebrew facilitated by Janna Weiss and Tamar Tishbi
2025-06-28 16:00 - 2025-07-19 17:30, 2025-06-21 16:00 - 2025-07-12 17:30, 2025-06-14 16:00 - 2025-07-05 17:30, 2025-06-07 16:00 - 2025-06-28 17:30 (Asia/Jerusalem) | Online
Empathy Circles in Hebrew
Free online sessions led by FDCW facilitators Janna Weiss and Tamar Tishbi open to Hebrew speakers.
Join Zoom Here
Sessions Schedule:
4 Saturdays from June 7 to June 28 – You can join any session
16:00– 17:30 pm Jerusalem / 2:00 pm – 3:30 pm BST / 9:00 am – 10:30 am ET
Please check your time zone here.
Sharing our experiences and practicing together can help us feel connected to others in a meaningful and supportive way. Drop-ins welcome!
Join Zoom Here
**You can access the below info in Hebrew in this Facebook post
Who are these sessions for?
These Online Empathy Circles are for people of all ages, backgrounds and ideas, who are looking for practical tools to create positive transformation in their homes, individual lives, relationships, community, or workplace.
About the Empathy Circles
The Empathy Circle practice is the most effective gateway practice for learning, practicing and deepening listening and empathy skills, as well as, nurturing an empathic way of being.
The Empathy Circle provides a structured dialogue process where each person feels fully heard, fostering mutual understanding and connection. The Empathy Circle practice not only hones empathy but also fosters a range of valuable skills, such as communication and conflict management skills, making it a powerful tool for personal growth, conflict resolutions and meaningful dialogue.
The four core values of the Empathy Circle are empathy, mutuality, openness and caring.
These Empathy Circles explore turning the heart and mind from our familiar, unsatisfying self-centered attitude, to “others before self,” and collective action for the common good. Gratitude, empathy, compassion, altruism, and an appreciation of our common humanity are all essential for cultivating genuine happiness and are beneficial for social action and harmony.
Janna will provide short excerpts, quotes or video, and suggested topic questions, or you can share whatever is on your mind.
The Empathy Circle practice is the most effective gateway practice for learning, practicing deep listening and empathy skills, as well as nurturing an empathic way of being.
If you want to know more about the Empathy Circles, please check the June 2023 Summit, and Empathy Circles with CTM/16G at the Nov 2024 Empathy Summit, as well as other circles that Janna and others have led.
Posted here with transcript, and here on Janna’s YouTube
About the facilitators:
Janna is an acupuncturist and herbalist, and teaches mind science in New York City. She holds a PhD from the University of Texas at Austin in Biological Sciences—Botany (ethnobotany). Janna is also a human rights activist, for peace, for Tibet, for the rights of people with psychosocial disabilities, and for the real rights of children and families. Janna began studying Tibetan Buddhism in 2005. She is an accredited 16 Guidelines Level 1 & 2 and Unlocking Your Potential Facilitator, and an Empathy Circle Facilitator.
Tamar graduated from Haifa University with a degree in Psychology and Educational Counseling. She studied mindfulness at the Broshim Campus for Complementary Medicine, and completed a meditation and mindfulness teacher training at the Wingate Academy School for Complementary Medicine.
Tamar is an accredited facilitator for 16 Guidelines for a Meaningful Life with Dreamer’s Home and the Foundation for Developing Compassion and Wisdom. Tamar facilitates meditation and mindfulness and 16 Guidelines for a Meaningful Life in schools and colleges in Israel.
Supporting Janna and the Empathy Circles: please, consider supporting Janna so that she can continue to offer these transformative sessions by making a donation scanning the QR code below or by making a donation on the dedicated page https://tinyurl.com/nhcxcrcw
Join Zoom Here

16 Attitudes Pour Mieux Vivre Niveau 2-Cultiver sa force intérieure| en français
2025-06-21 09:30 - 2025-06-22 17:30 (Europe/London) | Vajra Yogini, les clauzades, Marzens, tarn, 81500, France
Aperçu de l’atelier :
Après le niveau 1, ce cours d’approfondissement vous permet de mieux comprendre votre propre part d’ombre.
Dans ce cours d’approfondissement, nous mettons en lumière le “côté ombre” des 16 Attitudes. Explorer cette facette, c’est accéder aux valeurs universelles en examinant leur opposé. En reconnaissant et en accueillant ces parts d’ombre présentes en chacun de nous, nous amorçons un processus de guérison qui nous permet de retrouver notre intégrité et de transformer les énergies néfastes en forces positives.
Apprenez à :
– Identifier les défis rencontrés dans votre pratique de la pleine conscience et transformer les réactions automatiques qui génèrent stress et tensions.
– Comprendre les fondements philosophiques des 16 Attitudes et les quatre thèmes de sagesse qui les structurent.
– Intégrer, appliquer et être créatif avec ces outils dans votre quotidien pour faire face aux situations réelles avec plus de conscience et de sérénité.
– Créer du lien avec d’autres participants, s’engager dans une communauté bienveillante et partager expériences et apprentissages.

Le Niveau 3 pour approfondir et devenir facilitateur du programme sera donné en ligne en fin d’année.

Schedule
DATES : 21-22 Juin 2025
HORAIRES : 9h30 – 17h30
LIEU : Institut Vajra Yogini, Marzens dans le Tarn
TARIF: €80
FACILITATRICE : Mabel Odessey
INSCRIPTIONS : 16attitudes@gmail.com
Meet your Facilitator:

Mabel is an accredited 16G Level 1, Level 2 and 16G for Children and Teens as well as Building Balanced Empathy facilitator. She is a founder member of Education Universelle France and she also works as a photographer and lives in France.
Mabel has completed the 2nd year MSc (Masters in Mindfulness and Compassion) at the University of the West of Scotland, and has received a post graduate diploma. She has been trained to teach the MBLC and CBLC course by the UK Mindfulness Association..
Her workshop on Kindful Communication was featured at the FDCW’s Compassion and Wisdom conference 2021

Mindfulness and Compassion with Hilary- TMM inspired June open session
2025-06-20 17:00 - 18:15 (Europe/Paris) | Online
Discover Inner Peace Through Compassion, Mindfulness & CreativityJoin us for a transformative online session on June 20th
Are you ready to explore the healing power of compassion, mindfulness, and creativity to experience greater inner peace and clarity?
If so, this 75-minute session on June 20th may be exactly what you’ve been looking for.
What to Expect
Rooted in the principles of Transformative Mindfulness Methods (TMM), this session offers practical tools to:

Identify and gently work through difficult emotions

Cultivate calm, clarity, and confidence

Open to new perspectives with compassion and creativity

You’ll be guided through a TMM practice and a settling meditation, followed by time for sharing and Q&A. All you need is an open mind, a few sheets of blank paper, and some colored pens or pastels.
About TMM
Transformative Mindfulness Methods are simple yet powerful self-healing tools that begin with awareness and acceptance. By exploring the emotional and psychological roots of challenges—including physical symptoms—TMM helps you shift gently toward healing and inner balance.
Session Details
Date: Thursday, 20th JuneTime: 17:00–18:15 CETWhere: Online via this Zoom linkFacilitator: Hilary McMichaelWhat to Bring: Blank paper + colored pens or pastelsDonation-based: Contributions are welcome. Email Hilary to learn more or offer support: hilaryfdcw@gmail.com
Meet the Facilitator:

Hilary is an accredited FDCW facilitator based in France. She was trained in the Transformative Mindfulness Methods by the creator, Dekyi-Lee Oldershaw, at the University of Toronto in 2014. She has since presented many Transformative Mindfulness Methods programs and the 16 Guidelines. Being a qualified MBSR instructor, she teaches mindfulness based programs in both English and French. She says her life had a “before and after” to it when she first went to an intensive meditation retreat and that TMM has brought in extra compassion and kindness. She loves bringing this art of living to others, especially to others who love helping others. Her workshops were featured at the FDCW’s Compassion and Wisdom conference 2021 and Big Love Festival 2020.

Enhancing Positive Qualities (Online) | Craig Mackie
2025-06-09 15:00 - 2025-06-23 17:30 (Europe/London) | Online
Objective
Embrace your helpful traits, embody new qualities, and let go of what separates you from your highest potential. Disrupt limiting patterns, awaken hidden strengths, and connect with your inner greatness.

Course Highlights

Draws on the wisdom of the 16 Guidelines and Transformative Mindfulness Methods (aligned with FDCW – Universal Education).
Ideal for those with a mindfulness practice seeking a moral transformative framework for self-healing.

3-Session Breakdown
1. Role Model – Grounding and Connecting

Connect with role models to awaken your greatest potential.
Discover inherent good qualities within yourself.

2. Past Self Practice – Grounding and Discovering

Enhance and integrate your already skilful self into new situations.

3. Positive Part – Bringing It Forward

Embrace discomfort, focus on thriving qualities, and discover inner refuge.
Explore somatic grounding, visualisation techniques, and integration practices.

Key Learnings

Somatic grounding for safe, kind body connection.
Creative visualisation techniques.
Practices for asking for help, letting go, and creating new pathways.
Steps for integration, forgiveness, and magnifying transformative benefits.

Schedule
Workshop Series: 3-Part Online Workshop via Zoom.Mondays: June 9, 16, 23 | 10:00 am – 12:30 pm (ET), 3:00 pm – 5:30 pm (BST).Sessions recorded for missed classes and deepening practices.

Rates
Subsidised: $0-$100
Standard: $200
Insured: $300 (Receipts for psychotherapy/psychological services available for Ontario residents).

Registration
To register or for more info, please contact Craig Mackie at craig@essentialchange.net.
For more information, please visit essentialchange.net.
Preparation
In preparation for the course, we encourage you to familiarise yourself with the 16 Guidelines, you’ll find many engaging resources available on our website.
Facilitator
Craig Mackie

Craig has been practising mindfulness since 1998 as a national team biathlete and since 2004 as a formal contemplative practice. Certified as a Mindfulness for Symptom Management (M4) instructor, Transformative Mindfulness instructor and international 16 Guidelines Trainer, he has worked in the field of mental health, wilderness therapy, addictions, homelessness, experiential education and therapeutic recreation. Craig is an accredited Level 1, 2 and 3 training facilitator and delivers workshops in English.

Compassion et Autocompassion - 2 day Retreat with Hilary McMichael
2025-05-24 10:00 - 2025-05-25 17:30 (Europe/Paris) | Vajra Yogini, les clauzades, Marzens, tarn, 81500, France
*Please note, this weekend retreat is offered in French

Une définition de la compassion pourrait s’articuler ainsi : une sensibilité à la souffrance, tant en nous-même qu’en autrui, associée à un engagement pour alléger et prévenir cette souffrance.

La dimension courageuse de la compassion réside dans la volonté d’appréhender la nature et les origines de la souffrance, qu’elle émane de nous, des autres, ou de la condition humaine. Cette bienveillance se déploie dans trois directions: manifester de la compassion envers autrui, accueillir la compassion d’autrui, et cultiver une compassion envers notre propre être.

L’autocompassion se présente comme la capacité de nous prodiguer les mêmes douceurs et égards que nous réservons naturellement à un ami cher.

Overview
L’atelier sur la compassion et la pleine conscience est une exploration créative et joyeuse de nouvelles voies de vie. Celle-ci débute en notre for intérieur, envers cette personne que nous négligeons bien souvent au profit des autres êtres.
Progressivement, ce cercle d’amour s’étend jusqu’à reconnaître l’interconnexion qui nous relie à toute chose, et à se sentir en harmonie avec la vie.

« Si les mots sortent du cœur, ils vont entrer dans le cœur. »
Rûmi.

Format
Ces ateliers sont expérientiels avec des exercices et des pratiques concrètes. En s’appuyant sur des techniques ancrées dans la compassion et la pleine conscience, nous apprenons à traverser nos moments de peine et de douleur. Cette approche nous invite à avoir davantage de douceur et à juger moins sévèrement nos imperfections. Ces pratiques autorisent les participants à aborder les moments ardues de leur existence avec bienveillance, présence et compréhension. La dimension de la mindfulness constitue le point d’entrée pour une prise de conscience approfondie du fonctionnement de notre esprit et de nos habitudes.

Plutôt que d’ignorer votre douleur, offrez-vous une pause, une inspiration, et dites-vous : ” En ce moment, c’est réellement difficile. Comment puis-je me réconforter et prendre soin de moi ? ”
L’atelier se déroule dans différents formats.

Une à deux jours en résidentiel
Six séances de deux heures par semaine en ligne par visio
Des matinées ou soirées thématiques en ligne par visio

Bookings and Cost:

Tarif: 75€
Tarif réduit sur demande
Pour plus d’informations et pour les réservations, veuillez consulter: https://educationuniversellefrance.fr/compassion/

Facilitator

Hilary McMichael: Anglaise d’origine, méditerranéenne de cœur, je suis investie dans les programmes d’Éducation Universelle depuis 2009, d’abord en tant que traductrice des enseignantes venues de pays anglo-saxons, ensuite comme formatrice. Je facilite désormais les 16 Attitudes ainsi que les Méthodes de Transformative Mindfulness (la Pleine Conscience Transformative) ainsi qu’un programme sur la compassion. Je suis aussi formatrice qualifiée pour enseigner le cycle MBSR (la réduction du stress et la gestion des émotions par la pleine conscience) de Jon Kabat-Zinn. J’aime beaucoup enseigner et partager ces pratiques avec des groupes et en session individuelle. La pleine conscience de notre corps, de notre respiration et de notre esprit nous permet d’être mieux physiquement et mentalement. Ces programmes nous donnent des outils pratiques pour nous transformer.
Ma première passion de la peinture et du dessin, (diplômée par l’École Nationale des Beaux-Arts de Montpellier) est devenue un moyen d’expression qui rassemble ma créativité et ma vie spirituelle.
Jardinière et randonneuse, ma philosophie de vie m’amène vers la sobriété heureuse et joyeuse, faite de valeurs d’accompagnement, de paix et de confiance.

Empathy Circles with Conversations that Matter facilitated by Janna Weiss
2025-05-11 18:00 - 19:30, 2025-05-04 18:00 - 19:30, 2025-04-27 18:00 - 19:30, 2025-04-20 18:00 - 19:30 (Europe/London) | Online
Empathy Circle with Conversations That Matter
Free online sessions led by FDCW facilitator Janna Weiss open to everybody!
A new series of 5 sessions based on the 16 Guidelines resource: Conversations That Matter
Conversations That Matter offers a new way of bringing inspiration for wise and compassionate action based on the 16 Guidelines for Life.
Sessions Schedule:
5 Sundays from April to May – You can join any session!
1:00 pm – 2:30 pm ET / 6:00 pm – 7:30 pm BST / 10:00 am – 11:30 am PT, please check
your time zone here.
The 5 sessions will explore the Wisdom Theme: How We Think
April 20 Wisdom Theme 1: How We Think
April 27 Humility
May 4 Patience
May 11 Contentment
May 18 Delight / Joy for the success of others / Celebratory love
Sharing our experiences and practicing together can help us feel connected to others in a meaningful and supportive way. Drop-ins welcome!
Join Zoom Here
Who are these sessions for?
These Online Empathy Circles are for people of all ages, backgrounds and ideas, who are looking for practical tools to create positive transformation in their homes, individual lives, relationships, community, or workplace.
About the Empathy Circles
The Empathy Circle practice is the most effective gateway practice for learning, practicing and deepening listening and empathy skills, as well as, nurturing an empathic way of being.
The Empathy Circle provides a structured dialogue process where each person feels fully heard, fostering mutual understanding and connection. The Empathy Circle practice not only hones empathy but also fosters a range of valuable skills, such as communication and conflict management skills, making it a powerful tool for personal growth, conflict resolutions and meaningful dialogue.
The Empathy Circle was developed by Edwin Rutsch, founder and director of The Empathy Center, based on the work of psychologist Carl Rogers. The four core values of the Empathy Circle are empathy, mutuality, openness and caring.
If you want to know more about the Empathy Circles, please check the June 2023 Summit, and Empathy Circles with CTM/16G at the Nov 2024 Empathy Summit, as well as other circles that Janna and others have led.
Posted here with transcript, and here on Janna’s YouTube
About the facilitator:
Janna is an acupuncturist and herbalist, and teaches mind science in New York City. She holds a PhD from the University of Texas at Austin in Biological Sciences—Botany (ethnobotany). Janna is also a human rights activist, for peace, for Tibet, for the rights of people with psychosocial disabilities, and for the real rights of children and families. Janna began studying Tibetan Buddhism in 2005. She is an accredited 16 Guidelines Level 1 & 2 and Unlocking Your Potential Facilitator, and an Empathy Circle Facilitator.
Supporting Janna and the Empathy Circles: please, consider supporting Janna so that she can continue to offer these transformative sessions by making a donation scanning the QR code below or by making a donation on the dedicated page https://tinyurl.com/nhcxcrcw
Join Zoom Here

Meditando con las 16 Actitudes | Presencial | Nagarjuna Madrid
2025-05-11 11:00 - 14:00 (Europe/Madrid) | Nagarjuna Madrid, Avenida de Pedro Diez, 21 Bis (duplicado) Planta 1, Puerta 1, 28019 Madrid, Madrid, 28019, Spain
These sessions are led in Spanish.
Sobre la sesión:
En esta mañana de meditación, Marisa Femenía nos llevara a investigar por nosotros mismos, a través de la meditación analítica, las ventajas y las desventajas de utilizar cada una de las 16 Actitudes y su opuesta, respectivamente; así como la forma de aplicarlas en nuestra vida cotidiana.
El domingo, 11 de Mayo, la propuesta es trabajar con «La Honestidad».
Por qué la Honestidad?
“En una época de engaño universal, decir la verdad se convierte en un acto revolucionario”.
George Orwell
A todos nos gustaría construir una sociedad digna de confianza. Una sociedad en la que la honradez, esa palabra tan antigua, la justicia y la ética fueran el fundamento. Desgraciadamente, la sensación generalizada que tenemos va en sentido contrario.
Por lo tanto, puede ser un momento oportuno en nuestras vidas para descubrir el potencial transformador que tiene la honestidad.
Nuestra verdad es limitada. Puede que no sea la Verdad Universal, pero siendo sinceros con nosotros mismos, renunciando a la mentira y al engaño, siempre podemos romper con el patrón que nos ha llevado a traicionarnos tantas veces. Y, al mismo tiempo, valorando el bienestar de los demás como el propio, podemos contribuir poco a poco a una cultura más íntegra y equilibrada.
El ejemplo que hoy nos sirve como compromiso con la honestidad es Pepe Mújica, ex-presidente de Uruguay. No todas las personas que admiramos son perfectas desde su nacimiento. Tienen errores y equivocaciones como nosotros. Sin embargo, el proceso de la vida les ha llevado a actividades que pueden servir a otros de inspiración.
En muchas ocasiones, a través de intensos sufrimientos que han abierto sus ojos hacia una vida más compasiva y humilde. Y, como en el caso de Mújica, renunciando a la venganza y al poder económico, para ponerse al servicio de muchos que lo necesitan.
Estructura de la Sesión
La actividad consta de una breve introducción, varias sesiones de meditación y reflexión conjunta sobre las experiencias de las meditaciones.
Esta sesión forma parte de un ciclo de meditaciones interactivas inspiradas en 16 Actitudes para una Vida con Sentido (16A).
A quien van dirigidas estas sesiones?
Estas sesiones son aptas para personas de cualquier fe, religión o creencia. y culturas, y no requieren conocimientos previos.
Horario y reservas
Las sesiones se ofrecen periodicamente en el centro Nagarjuna de Madrid, de 11 a 14 horas ( hora de la peninsula). Para mas información y detalles sobre como inscribirte, por favor visita la web del Centro Nagarjuna
Facilitadora: Marisa Femenia.
Marisa has a background in education working for 30 years as an elementary teacher. She met the Buddhist teachings when she turned 30 and for many years she tried to convey to the children what she was learning from her teachers. Currently she coordinates the Universal Education group in Madrid.

Sunday Morning Meditations for a more Peaceful Life Organized by Maitreya Institute
2025-05-04 10:00 - 11:00, 2025-04-27 10:00 - 11:00, 2025-04-20 10:00 - 11:00, 2025-04-13 10:00 - 11:00, 2025-04-06 10:00 - 11:00, 2025-03-30 10:00 - 11:00 (Europe/Madrid) | Online
“Many people think excitement is happiness…. But when you are excited you are not peaceful. True happiness is based on peace.” ― Thich Nhat Hanh
About the Sessions
Join us on Sunday morning for an hour to pause, center, and restore to a happier and more peaceful mind to support you in being a bit more resilient in a world which does not always make sense anymore. These guided meditations are to help you calm your mind, explore your own nature and develop a more peaceful perception on life. When you are well with yourself, you will be more able to be well with others and the world.
These meditations are very practical, they are not within a religious context, so they are suitable for people of different beliefs, ages and abilities, for beginners as well as for those with more experience.

Registrations are not required.
What are the meditations based on?
They are based on a set of values and principles aimed at helping individuals cultivate a more peaceful and meaningful life. They are divided into four categories:

how we think (humility, patience, contentment and delight)
how we act (kindness, honesty, generosity and right speech)
how we relate to others (respect, forgiveness, gratitude and loyalty)
how we find meaning (aspiration, principles, service and courage).

These guidelines provide a framework for personal growth, encouraging individuals to think, act, relate, and find meaning in ways that foster a harmonious and fulfilling life.
How to Join
The sessions are offered online:

TIME: 10.00 – 11.00 am CE(S)T,
DATES: Sundays from 19th January – 4th May 2025
ONLINE: Join Zoom here – Passcode: [REDACTED]

The meditations are freely offered but if you would like to make to support Maitreya Institute, please make a donation using this link . The meditations will be recorded and made available to you to use them during the week. Please send us an email if you would like to join us to get access to the recordings.

Why meditate?
When you control your mind with wisdom you create the space you need to discover peace and joy. Your life then becomes peaceful and joyful and somewhat protected from the ups and downs of the external world. For beginner to advanced meditators.
Facilitator
Ven. Gönpo is an accredited FDCW facilitator and a Buddhist monk based in Australia. He discovered Buddhism as a child through martial arts movies and TV shows, this was the inspiration for the childhood dream of becoming a wandering kung fu monk. It was a few decades before part of that dream could be realized with many other life adventures distracting him from the spiritual path in his teens and twenties.
It wasn’t until he was in his thirties that Gönpo began to really understand the power of Buddhist teachings when he used them to navigate the emotional roller-coaster of life’s many experiences such as a marriage break down and raising children alone. Fortunately, due the kindness of his teachers and great good karma, after his children finished school, Gönpo was able to fulfil the long-held dream of becoming a monk, albeit without the kung fu. Ending a 20-year career as a high school teacher of languages, he become a wandering monk spending time studying and meditating in Europe, India and Nepal before returning to his hometown, Brisbane, to take up the role of Spiritual Care Practitioner at Karuna Hospice Services, giving care and support to people with life limiting illnesses and their families.
In his time as a school teacher, it was the feedback from students around mindfulness practices and life lessons that had the biggest impact on Gönpo, motivating him to become a 16 Guidelines for a Happy Life facilitator. In his sessions, Gönpo encourages discussion and deep engagement in the topics, challenging participants to examine their own ways of thinking. Through understanding how we are now, we are better equipped to develop the habits that will bring us closer to how we want to be, interacting with our own minds and the people around us in ways that will make us and the communities we live in, happier and healthier.
More info
For more information please visit the Maitreya Institute website

16G L1 | Building Inner Strength: An innovative Co-facilitated Online Course
2025-05-01 18:00 - 2025-05-22 19:30 (Europe/London) | Online
Are you ready to transform the way you think, act, relate, and create meaning in your life?
About the Course
The 16 Guidelines for Life – Level 1 is a dynamic and interactive course designed to help you cultivate inner wisdom, emotional resilience, and deeper connections with yourself and others. Based on ancient wisdom and modern science, the 16 Guidelines offer practical tools for personal growth, mindfulness, and ethical leadership—empowering you to bring more clarity, compassion, and purpose into your daily life.

Who Should Attend?
This course is perfect for anyone seeking personal growth, mindfulness practitioners, educators, coaches, leaders, and changemakers who want to bring positive transformation into their lives and communities.
What you’ll learn:

An ethical framework that inspires more purpose in life and deepens experience in mindfulness as an embodied practice.
Practical tools to build inner strength which will benefit relationships and embrace community
A fresh perspective on daily life, available choices and actions
Enhanced capacity for reflection, resulting in more well-being, emotional resilience and creative action

Schedule:
Four Thursdays in May 1, 8, 15, & 22, 2025
⏰ Time: 6:00 PM – 8:30 PM (UK Time)

Bookings
For more information and bookings, please email Kitty on: kitty_dcosta@hotmail.co.uk.
Concessions are available upon request, no one will be turned away due to lack of funds.
Facilitators
🌟 Claudia van Zuiden – An international speaker, coach, and trainer, Claudia is the CEO & Founder of Solution Ways and Co-Founder of Conscious World Agents. With over 30 years of experience in holistic leadership, personal development, and mindfulness education, she integrates neuroscience, ethics, and solution-focused approaches to help individuals and organizations thrive. She is accredited to facilitate Level 1, 2, and 16G for children and teens, as well as Unlocking Your Potential. Claudia is passionate about compassionate leadership, mindfulness, and empowering people to lead with purpose.
🌟 Kitty D’Costa – A dedicated 16 Guidelines Trainer with over 20 years of experience in mindfulness, meditation, and mental health support. Kitty has worked extensively in the field of substance misuse and mental well-being, bringing deep insights into self-awareness, emotional resilience, and personal transformation. Her facilitation style is warm, engaging, and deeply practical—helping participants integrate mindfulness into their daily lives.
🌟 Karl Grey – A qualified counsellor, engineer, and experienced 16 Guidelines facilitator. With a diverse background across multiple fields, Karl brings a unique and insightful approach to his work. His deep understanding of the 16 Guidelines allows him to integrate their principles effectively, offering valuable guidance and support in both personal and professional settings. Karl’s broad expertise and thoughtful approach empower others to navigate life’s challenges with clarity and purpose.
🌟 Gillian Watt – An experienced mindfulness practitioner, facilitator, and educator, Gillian has a background in community development, coaching, and personal growth. With a strong focus on creating positive change through mindful leadership, she helps individuals and teams build resilience, enhance well-being, and cultivate a deeper sense of meaning in their lives. Gillian is passionate about empowering others to unlock their potential through the 16 Guidelines framework.

Embodying the Qualities of Mindfulness with the 16G | Organized by the University of Toronto
2025-04-09 09:00 - 12:00, 2025-04-02 09:00 - 12:00 (America/Toronto) | Online
About this course
In this experiential course you will reflect on your motivations, intentions, values and practices in order to contribute to a secular, inclusive, universal and embodied practice.
Discussions will surround an ancient set of 16 guidelines inspired by leaders committed to a culture that proposes mindful thought, values, relations and compassion-in-action This course highlights how individuals may embody mindful practices in the everyday. Drawing from an ancient wisdom tradition, the 16 Guidelines proposes a palette of secular options that cultivate states of the embodied mind. These guidelines can be integrated into everyday life as a secular practice to optimize one’s human potential as well as to promote a civil society. These include states of mind such as: compassion, kindness, authentic speech etc.
What you’ll learn:

Understand the concept of the embodied mind.
Interpret the ancient document known as the 16 Guidelines both historically and in its contemporary application and usage.
Develop your own personal guidelines that will provide the scaffolding of your own embodied practice.

Schedule:
This course is delivered online on Wednesdays in 4 online sessions from April 2, 2025 – April 23, 2025. Online with Real Time Meetings from 9 AM – 12:00 PM ( local time)

Wednesdays, April 2, 9, 16, 23 (9am – 12pm)

More info, bookings and cost:
The course fee is $365 CAD
For more information and bookings, please visit the University of Toronto web page
About the Facilitator:
Anne Porteous, Anne, Reg.N., MScN, had the privilege of meeting Dekyi-Lee Oldershaw over a decade ago while taking the DRAM [Discovering Resilience through Applied Mindfulness) certificate program. This was Anne’s introduction to the 16 Guidelines for life. She has continued to deepen her knowledge and mindfulness practice by applying the 16G’s with nursing students, corporations, and clients during equine assisted learning sessions. Anne is an instructor in the mindfulness program offered at the University of Toronto.

Transformative Mindfulness Methods (niveau 1)- with Hilary McMichael
2025-04-05 09:30 - 2025-04-06 17:30 (Europe/Paris) | Vajra Yogini, les clauzades, Marzens, tarn, 81500, France
*Please note, this weekend retreat is offered in French
Overview

Ce programme explore un ensemble de pratiques basées sur la pleine conscience pour traverser ses problèmes et pour oser être, avec simplicité et coeur.
Ces investigations et méditations permettent de comprendre et de changer les réactions automatiques aux défis du quotidien et aux émotions fortes. Elles donnent des outils pour renforcer la confiance en sa sagesse intérieure et avoir une meilleure santé. La connaissance et l’acceptation de celui ou celle que l’on est, tel que l’on est, développent naturellement la compassion pour soi et pour les autres.
Basée sur la pleine conscience et la bienveillance, cette formation est à la fois pratique et profonde, avec des transformations physiques et émotionnelles positives durables.

Le niveau 2 et des sessions de soutien sont proposés en ligne.
Bookings and Cost:

Tarif: de 75€ à 95€ et par donation pour les petits budgets
Tarif réduit sur demande
Renseignements par email : hilary.educationuniverselle@gmail.com

Facilitator

Hilary McMichael: Hilary is a committed and long standing accredited FDCW facilitator. She is active within the community. She shared: “The facilitating methods are based on experiential learning, which is most often fun and playful and nevertheless deep so we are all learning and creating together. I offer guidance based on mindfulness and self-compassion practices that allow participants to be aware of the present moment and to approach their lives in a kind and understanding way. Those are some aspects of Universal Education and I enjoy being part of it.”

Meditación Paso a Paso: Sesiones semanales inspiradas en las 16 Actitudes
2025-04-01 19:00 - 20:00 (Europe/Madrid) | Nagarjuna Alicante, Calle Ruperto Chapí, 9, El Campello, Alicante, Spain
*Please note these sessions are offered in Spanish
Sobre las Sesiones
Únete a Jessica Pastor en esta nueva serie de Meditaciones basadas en las 16 Actitudes, un programa de ética y resiliencia para descubrir la calma y el bienestar interior. Esta serie está organizada por el Centro de Meditación Nagarjuna Alicante.
Esta serie está estructurada en sesiones presenciales semanales de 1 hora todos los martes a las 7 pm hora local.

Seiones abiertas a todas las personas interesadas. No es necesario tener conocimientos previos de budismo para participar y no es necesario inscribirse.
En estas sesiones de meditación practicaremos Samatha, la técnica de calmar la mente de la agitación y preocupaciones que nos persiguen en nuestro día a día. De esta manera, comenzaremos a poder disfrutar de los beneficios que nos aporta una mente serena y lúcida.
Asimismo, practicaremos Vipassana, la técnica que entrena nuestra mente a no reaccionar de manera inmediata y ciega en las situaciones que experimentamos, a no generar patrones mentales y hábitos que nos conducen a la repetición automática de conductas y, en consecuencia, al sufrimiento. Consiste en adiestrar la mente a experimentar la realidad tal como es, a la comprensión clara de la verdadera realidad de la existencia de nosotros y de todas las cosas.

¿Por que Meditar?
Meditamos para investigar la energía mental básica con la que ya contamos, que es la que determina si nuestras acciones son positivas, y nos traerán felicidad, o negativas, y nos traerán sufrimiento.Esta meditación basada en las 16 Actitudes nos va a permitir controlar pequeñas cosas que antes no podíamos controlar, que nos animarán a ir más allá y a darnos cuenta de que tenemos una capacidad y un potencial fantásticos.
Vas a poder crear ese espacio que necesitas para descubrir la calma y el bienestar, simplemente con cambiar la motivación que hay detrás de cada acción que realizas.
Para beneficiar a los demás y beneficiarte a ti no tienes que hacer nada físico, solo tienes que dirigir tu mente en esa dirección.

Cómo participar

EN PERSONA: en el centro Nagarjuna Alicante de 7:00 pm a 8:00 pm hora local. Para mas informacion, por favor visita la página web del centro.

Estas sesiones se ofrecen con aportación voluntaria. Si lo deseas, puedes hacer una donación aqui.

Shadow Work with the 16 Guidelines with Craig Mackie
2025-03-31 10:00 - 13:00 (America/Toronto) | Online
Shadow Work with the 16 Guidelines: Uncover, Transform, Heal:-
Join Craig for a special three-part immersive series designed to go deeper into transforming the shadow side of good quality.
*Participants should be familiar with either the 16 Guidelines or Transformative Mindfulness Methods (TMM).
📅 March 17, 24, 31 (Mondays)⏰ 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM EST (Toronto, Canada)📍 Live on Zoom
Course Journey:
Session 1: Preparing for transformative work

connecting with a healing space
grounding in compassion and wisdom
acceptance of pain and the root causes of suffering.

Session 2: Approaching and transforming our relationship to the shadow:

welcoming the negative aspects into a healing space
encountering resistance, introducing wisdom and compassion
asking for help and letting go.

Session 3: integrating and healing transformed the shadow:

welcoming and encountering resistance,
applying and integrating new insights and feeling
next steps and embodying transformed shadow.

Why this course?
So often in mindfulness practices, for participants and facilitators alike, deep discomfort and distress can arise. Having a toolkit to encounter stress, paint, trauma, childhood wounds or resistance of any kind is essential.
This course will introduce participants to a framework and practices that will help them meet blockages to their highest embodied potential through transformative mindfulness.
The 16 Guidelines are an indigenous set of embodied virtues that originate from Tibet. In their modern iteration they comprise a framework that can be universally accessed through our own experiences and inner wisdom. Laid out in 4 wisdom themes of how we Think, Act, Related and Create Meaning, each corresponding 4 guidelines can be used to meet challenges and transform suffering.
With each good quality also comes the potential for a shadow to arise – something that resembles the qualities but is not (semblance), a misuse of the quality (unskillful) that is tainted by unclear motivation or malicious intention, and the opposite of the quality (contra). Each of these shadow aspects has the potential to be transformed through introspection and healed by introducing wisdom and compassion.
Transformative Mindfulness Methods provides the perfect framework to dive into transforming a specific shadow that may arise.
In this workshop, participants will be encouraged to pick a specific quality with which they wish to have a deeper relationship. Over three weeks they will participate in transformative work through visualization, group discussion and didactic instruction.
Who is this for?
This course is ideal for those familiar with either the 16 Guidelines or Transformative Mindfulness Methods and who want to:✔️ Work with inner blockages preventing their full potential✔️ Gain new tools for healing emotional distress and resistance✔️ Deepen their understanding of shadow work & transformation
💰 Pay What You Can (Suggested: $100 CAD)📜 Receipts available for psychological services/social work📩 Register: craig@essentialchange.net
Join Craig in this powerful and supportive space for deep transformation. 🌿✨
Facilitator:
Craig Mackie –Craig is a registered 16G facilitator and trainer, born in Ottawa, he has a BA in Developmental Psychology/Philosophy from the University of Alberta, an MA in Philosophy from the University of Ottawa and an MSW from the University of Toronto. He has worked in wilderness therapy and addiction treatment centers as well as schools and leadership programs for youth. He has also worked with Aboriginal men who have experienced homelessness in Toronto and multiple marginalized communities in Ottawa.
Other projects he has played a key role in include Social Rec Connect and Christie Lake Kids.
In addition to his work in individual counseling and coaching in private practice, he is the founder of Essential Change and teaches as an instructor for the Applied Mindfulness Meditation Certificate Program at the University of Toronto, Continuing Education, Faculty of Social Work.
