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DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20260925T160000
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SUMMARY:Cultivating a Compassionate and Meaningful Life: An in-person Universal Education Gathering in Scotland
DESCRIPTION:Cultivating a Compassionate and Meaningful Life\nAn in-person Universal Education Gathering in Scotland \nAn Invitation to Pause\, Reflect\, and Reconnect\nJoin us for a nourishing Gathering – Retreat in the heart of Aberdeenshire\, where we’ll explore the 16 Guidelines for Life as a framework for cultivating compassion\, resilience\, and meaningful connections. \nSet against the backdrop of the Scottish countryside\, this gathering offers time to reflect deeply\, connect with like-minded people\, and bring fresh inspiration into your daily life. Together\, we’ll combine gentle practices such as meditation\, journaling\, mindful movement\, and shared reflection to explore how the Guidelines can enrich both inner growth and outer relationships. \nWhat to Expect\nAcross three days\, you’ll be guided through a balanced flow of learning\, practice\, and connection: \nDay 1 – Arriving & Settling\nWarm welcome\, introductions\, and setting intentions\nShared evening meal and meditation to ease into retreat life \nDay 2 – Deepening Practice                                                                                                                                               Morning Qi Gong to awaken body and mind\nExplorations of key Guidelines such as Humility\, Kindness\, Patience\, Generosity\, Honesty\, Gratitude\, Kindness and Respect\nReflective practices: guided meditations\, journaling\, and mindful eating\nHeartfelt discussions and paired sharing to strengthen community bonds \nDay 3 – Integration & Looking Forward\nMorning visit to a nearby stone circle for grounding and connection\nClosing sessions on integrating the 16 Guidelines into everyday life\nCommitments\, takeaways\, and a celebratory farewell circle \n**See detailed agenda below \nVenue & Accommodation\nOur retreat will take place at the Sir Arthur Grant Residential & Outdoor Activity Centre\, a peaceful venue surrounded by nature. \nCapacity: Spaces are limited to 38 participants in on-site accommodation. \nNearby options: Additional lodging is available in the Aberdeenshire area for those wishing to stay off-site. \nWho Is This Universal Education Gathering For?\nThis gathering welcomes anyone interested in living with greater compassion\, meaning\, and awareness\, whether you are new to the 16 Guidelines or looking to deepen your practice. \nThe session structure is carefully designed to foster meaningful reflection\, strengthen connections\, and inspire actionable outcomes\, ensuring a dynamic and engaging experience. \nPractical Details\n📅 Dates: Friday 25 September – Sunday 27 September 2026\n📍 Location: Sir Arthur Grant Centre\, Aberdeenshire\, Scotland\n🍴 Communal meals provided (with mindful eating practice woven into shared dinners)\n🧘 Practices include Qi Gong\, meditation\, journaling\, mindful dialogue\, and time in nature \nJoin Us\nCome as you are\, open to reflect\, connect\, and grow. Together\, we’ll explore timeless wisdom and practical tools to help us live with greater compassion and meaning in our daily lives. \nFor more information and to to confirm your participation\, please send an email to Gillian Cruickshank: gilliancruickshankwellbeing@gmail.com \nPlease use this Google booking form to reserve your place: \nA minimum deposit of £50 is required on registration to reserve your place. The remaining amount is\npayable by 25 August 2026. \nDetailed Agenda\nAs the organizers continue to shape this wonderful event\, we are happy to share a more detailed agenda of the gathering \nDay 1 \n4:00 – 6:00pm Arrivals\, welcome and settling in \n6:00 – 7:00pm Session one: introduction to weekend and one another \nActivity: Group sharing of initial thoughts\, expectations for the weekend and setting intentions \n7:00 – 8:00pm Communal Dinner \n8:00 – 9:00pm Evening meditation / reflection \n9:00pm Journaling / Rest \nDay 2 \n7:30 – 8:30am Movement – Qi Gong \nFacilitated by: Lorna Forsyth \n8:30 – 9:30am Breakfast \n9:30 – 11:30am Session one – Foundations of inner peace – exploring wisdom  \nActivity: \nDalai Lama’s short video: The Importance of Cultivating Inner Peace \nGuided meditation to connect with the concepts of wisdom and one’s place in the world \nExplore how Humility and Kindness can develop wisdom \nFacilitated by: Bobettes \nGillian Cruickshank\, Lorna Forsyth\, Cath du Preez and Stefanie Steurer  \n11:30- 12:00pm Free Time / Snacks / Journaling / Walking \n12:00 – 1:00pm Lunch \n1:00 – 3:00pm Session Two – Cultivating positive qualities – inner strengths \nSession: Explore guidelines like Patience and Generosity\, focusing on their role in developing resilience \nActivity: Journaling prompts on personal experiences of practicing patience or generosity \n  \n3:00 – 3:30pm Free Time / Snacks / Journaling / Walking \n3:30 – 5:30pm Session Three – Cultivating positive qualities – joy and empathy \nSession: Empathy circle \nActivity: Interactive exercises to cultivate empathy and understanding of others’ perspectives \nFacilitated by: Wendy Ridley \n5:30- 7:00pm Communal Dinner \nActivity: Mindful eating practice during dinner\, with participants encouraged to notice sensory details and express gratitude \n7:00 – 9:00pm Session 4 – connecting with others \nActivity: 16 Guidelines Game in the BBQ Hut \n9:00pm Journaling / Rest \nDay 3 \n7:30 – 9:30am Visit local stone circle / Wild swimming in nearby river \n9:30 – 10:30am Breakfast \n10:30 – 12:30pm Session One – The power of Grief\, Grace and Gratitude  \nFacilitated by: Claudia Massaro – Zuiden  \nA two-hour experiential workshop:  \nGrief is something we all experience\, yet many of us have never been taught how to meet it with compassion. Whether we are grieving the loss of a loved one\, a relationship\, our health\, a dream\, or simply a chapter of our lives\, grief invites us to slow down and listen deeply to our hearts. \nIn this two-hour workshop\, Claudia gently explores how grief\, grace and gratitude are intimately connected. Rather than trying to “move on” from our grief\, we discover how embracing it with kindness can become a doorway to healing\, wisdom and a deeper appreciation for life. \nDrawing on personal experience\, timeless wisdom\, reflective practices and insights from her book\, Claudia creates a safe and nurturing space where participants are invited to explore: \n\nUnderstanding grief as a natural expression of love\nFinding grace in moments of uncertainty and change\nCultivating gratitude without denying our pain\nPractical mindfulness and reflection practices that support healing\nTransforming loss into a deeper connection with ourselves and others\n\nInstead of talking about fixing grief\, this workshop is about learning how to walk beside it with courage\, compassion and an open heart. \nParticipants will leave with practical tools\, renewed hope and a gentle reminder that even in life’s most difficult moments\, gratitude can become a quiet light that guides us forward. \n12:30 – 1:30pm Lunch \n1:30 – 2:30pm Session two – commitments & next steps \nSession: Creating personal commitments for continuing to practice the 16 Guidelines beyond the weekend. \nActivity: Each participant shares one key takeaway or commitment. \nFarewell\, reflection & celebration \nA closing circle for expressing gratitude and saying goodbye \nClosing dedication:  \n2:30 Departure
URL:https://compassionandwisdom.org/event/cultivating-a-compassionate-and-meaningful-life-an-in-person-universal-education-gathering-in-scotland/
LOCATION:Sir Arthur Grant Outdoor Centre
CATEGORIES:16 Guidelines,Retreats
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