Since ancient times, all wise cultures have known the value of retreat. Time in retreat allows us to get out of the complexity of our life and thus listen deeply to our body, heart, and mind. Combining the fertile atmosphere of silence with time for meditation and walks in nature, meditation retreats offer practical guidance and group support to discover inner understanding and freedom. This retreat is suitable for both new and experienced meditation practitioners. It is open to anyone who would like to further develop their mindfulness meditation practice.
This silent retreat will consist of sustained periods of silence, alternating sitting, and walking meditation, with periods of mindful movement/Yoga (all vital to deepening personal practice and fundamental to living a full and prosperous life). Careful guidance and training in meditation are offered. In addition, there will be sessions to explore the foundations of mindfulness, with additional meditation practices to foster and strengthen our kindness and compassion. The silence engagement will occur for many periods during the weekend and includes refraining from speaking (except with the teacher, as scheduled and necessary), reading, writing, and technology (except for emergencies). It is a rare opportunity to slow down and give our hearts and minds space to access our inner wisdom and compassion.
Join us in nurturing and sustaining your practice in a safe, beautiful environment with excellent healthy food. Dr. Barbara Bettencourt and I guide this silent retreat. It is a joy and a blessing to hold this inaugural retreat with Barbara at Caparicia Azores Ecolodge on Terceira Island, Azores.
LOCATION
Terceira Island, Azores
https://www.caparica-ecolodge.com/
Stay included in the retreat price.
FOOD
Vegetarian food where all meals are included from dinner on the 2nd to lunch on the 5th.
GUIDES
Barbara Bettencourt, Just Stay, Just Be Introducing myself… I’m Bárbara, mother of four children and today I can define myself as curious about life and human beings. I’m a doctor, gynecologist/obstetrician, I love to travel, I love silence, the slopes and the company of the mountains, I love sports and adventures, I love to read and learn, I love to meditate more and more, I admire and love my children a lot! Also for them I opted for a more conscious life, for exploring the areas of personal development that transformed not only my relationship with them, but also with myself, with my family, with my friends, with my patients, with the world that surrounds me. It is as if this conscious vision turns a simple glass window into a majestic stained glass window.
I am currently attending the two year MINDFULNESS MEDITATION TEACHER CERTIFICATION PROGRAM (2021/2023) by Jack Kornfield and Tara Brach and completed the Mindfulness Mentor Training Program Awarded by Cloud Sangha in 2022.
Among other training courses associated with Mindfulness, I highlight the MINDFUL MEDICS COURSE courses, Mindfulness Compassion based Emotional Intelligence Training Course for Healthcare Professionals (2021), Building Compassion from the Inside Out (2021) , Self Compassion Healthcare and the “10 Days Mindfulness Living Day Retreat ”, Kopan Monastery, Kathmandu, Nepal (2020), among other national and international retreats.
I am also a Mindfulness Parenting Facilitator by Life Training and European Association of Peak Performance Trainers and I am certified in Coach by Life Training and Association for Coaching. I am truly grateful to be enrolled in the MINDFULNESS BASED STRESS REDUCTION MBSR Teacher Certification Program by the Professional Training Institute, School of Medicine at the University of California San Diego (UCSD).
Allan Goldstein, MBSR Mentorship, Mindful Teacher Community Network
CALENDAR
Day 1 ~ welcome
Days 2 & 3 ~ complete retreat days
Day 4 ~ the retreat ends, after a relaxed lunch together
INVESTMENT:
We have chosen to have a staggered conscious investment to allow participants to choose according to their financial possibilities. We would like everyone who wants to live this experience to be able to participate without compromising their economic well-being, so we decided not to add any fees for us as teachers. So beyond the costs for food and lodging, we are holding this inaugural silent retreat on a donation basis.
We are also offering some registrations with “scholarship” because we don’t want anyone to miss out on joining us if they feel this retreat will be beneficial and vital. So don’t hesitate to contact us if you wish to apply for a scholarship.
Early bird TBA
Supporter: TBA
Benefactor: TBA
Contact Barbara Bettencourt, bbbbettencourt@gmail.com, or Allan Goldstein, allanmbsr@gmail.com, with any questions. We look forward to being with you at the Caparica, Azores Ecolodge on the Island of Terceira.