Course Information
Description
Mindfulness-Based Training in Forgiveness with Joyce Cordus and Frits Koster
*** This event is open to both members and non-members of the MTAI ***
Online Weekend Retreat
From Friday, 4th December 7pm to Sunday, 6th December 4pm.
About the retreat
Many religions and wisdom traditions view forgiveness as a path towards greater harmony – both with ourselves and with the world around us. Contemporary research supports this insight, showing that the willingness to forgive fosters health and well-being. At the same time, forgiveness is also a process that is not always easy. Joyce Cordus and Frits Koster have developed the Mindfulness-Based Training in Forgiveness (MBTF) to support people in this process.
During this online retreat, we will explore different forms of forgiveness, such as forgiving ourselves, asking for forgiveness and forgiving others. We will do this on an individual level, in relation to groups and communities and in the context of the growing polarisation in the world around us. We will also reflect on the dilemmas and challenges that arise in practice and explore how we might respond to them with compassion. The MBTF is inclusive and welcomes people in all their diversity and does not exclude anyone on the basis of their gender, or their ethnic, cultural or religious background. The training is secular in nature. Participation can contribute to a more peaceful and harmonious life – both within ourselves and in our interactions with others.
This retreat is intended for those with an established mindfulness practice, including mindfulness teachers, healthcare professionals, coaches and other professionals who work with people. This hands-on exploration of MBTF practices and key elements will take place online. We hope this will make participation more supportive and accessible. The weekend will include periods of silence, during which participants are encouraged to maintain silence or minimal verbal contact during the breaks and in the evenings in order to support deeper practice.
Objectives
We will refresh and deepen the practice of mindfulness and compassion and explore the theory and practice of forgiveness in different ways:
- We will examine various forms of reconciliation as well as alternative approaches. The willingness to forgive is linked to findings from neuroscience and positive psychology.
- We will practise guided mindfulness-based meditation exercises and explore experiences through interpersonal mindfulness in pairs and triads in breakout rooms and in plenary sessions. Participants who (sometimes) prefer not to take part in these interpersonal explorations may instead reflect on their experiences in writing.
- Part of the weekend will take place in a retreat setting.
- At the end of the retreat, we will explore how to continue developing our willingness to forgive and integrate it into our daily lives.
Scientific Background
Many religions and ancient wisdom traditions recognise forgiveness as a quality that helps us cope with life’s imperfections and fosters harmony in relationships. In addition, scientific research shows that forgiveness contributes to better physical health (Cheadle & Toussaint, 2015), improved mental health (Griffin, Worthington, Lavelock, Wade, & Hoyt, 2015), greater well-being (Witvliet & Luna, 2018), and reduced stress (Larkin, Goulet, & Cavanagh, 2015). The MBTF has undergone scientific screening, and the results will be available soon. For more information about the MBTF, visit www.traininginforgiveness.com.
Recommended Reading
- Viktor E. Frankl. Man’s Search For Meaning. Rider, Ebury Publishing, 2004 (first print in German 1946).
- Fred Luskin. Forgive for Good. HarperCollins Publishers, 2003.
- Desmond and Mpho Tutu. The Book of Forgiveness. HarperCollins Publishers, 2015.
- Lydia Woodyatt, Everett L. Worthington, Michael Wenzel & Brandon J. Griffin (editors). Handbook of the Psychology of Self-Forgiveness. Springer, 2017.
- Everett Worthington and Nathaniel Wade (editors). Handbook of Forgiveness. Routledge, 2019.
Prerequisites: who is the retreat for?
The MBTF retreat weekend is suitable for anyone who has completed a basic mindfulness-based programme such as MBSR or MBCT before, or who has been practising mindfulness regularly in some other way for at least a year.
All MBP teachers, as well as healthcare professionals, teachers, coaches and other professionals, who wish to deepen their practice of mindfulness and compassion are welcome.
NB: Participants must commit to the entire weekend. Unless there are exceptional circumstances, we are unable to accommodate late arrivals or early departures. If this is not possible, please contact us before submitting your application to discuss this.
The Trainers
Joyce Cordus graduated from the University of Amsterdam in 1984 with a degree in Education. Since then, she has worked primarily in the field of vocational education. In 2011, she completed her training as a mindfulness teacher and began teaching mindfulness courses for social work and creative therapy students, as well as for primary and secondary school teachers. Early in 2021, she completed the MBCL teacher training with Frits Koster and Erik van den Brink. For several years she has been leading meditations on the Dutch online meditation platform 30NOW. Joyce lives with her husband in the west of the Netherlands. Website: www.joycecordus.nl
Frits Koster has practised Vipassana meditation since 1979 and spent five years as a monk in monasteries in Southeast Asia, where he meditated and studied Buddhist psychology. He leads meditation retreats in the Netherlands and abroad, works as a mindfulness and compassion teacher and trainer in the psychiatric field and teaches at various mindfulness institutes across Europe. Together with Erik van den Brink, Frits developed the Mindfulness-Based Compassionate Living or MBCL compassion training. Together with Joyce Cordus, he developed the Mindfulness-Based Training in Forgiveness (MBTF). He lives with his partner, Jetty Heynekamp, in the north of the Netherlands. Website: www.fritskoster.com/
Preparing for the event and what you’ll need
To attend the retreat, you will need:
- A quiet room where you can close the door and participate in the workshop away from family and other distractions. Maintain confidentiality by ensuring that those who are not present at the event will not be able to see your screen or hear the audio. It may be helpful to use headphones.
- Log in using a computer placed on a stable surface, equipped with audio and a webcam. Please do not use handheld devices.
- A place to practice. A mat, cushion, and blanket may be helpful for your comfort.
Pricing Information
MTAI Member: €180
Non-Member: €230
A concession place is available for this retreat – please email info@mtai.ie
MTAI cancellation policy:
All fees should be paid in full one month prior to the event. Refunds can be provided up to 14 days in advance of the event. Thereafter, a refund will be provided only in the case that the place can be filled by someone else.