Mindfulness for Life Retreat
Tutors– Vin Harris, Kristine Mackenzie-Janson and Ian Rigg
Dates– Tuesday 29th July- Monday 4th August 2025
Location– Holy Isle
Cost- The retreat is £385.00 payable in five monthly instalments of £77.00 Please contact info@mindfulnessassociation.net for the booking link.
Please book your accommodation (29th July- 4th August 2025) which is now open via the Holy Isle website by clicking here.
Please check the Find Us section on the Holy Isle website for travel connections.
Arrival Day 29 July crossing times 14.30 and 15.30
Departure Day 4 August crossing times 08.45 and 09.45
It is important that all participants are aware of these times so they can arrange their ongoing travel plans around these. Please note we can’t offer other times on these days as the tide restrictions determine what is possible. Each course participant can book their place on these dedicated boat crossings on our website at the Residential Guest Crossing page –lamlashcruises.org.uk/booking/residential-guest-crossing
Please note it is necessary to book in advance to secure a place. Anyone that requires further information can contact lamlashcruises@gmail.com or phone 07904 846765 and they will be very happy to assist.
THE RETURN CROSSING IS AUTOMATICALLY INCLUDED SO YOU ONLY HAVE TO SELECT THE OUTWARD JOURNEY WHEN BOOKING ON THE 29TH of JULY 2025.
Please note that attending retreats at Holy Isle involves climbing between a small boat, which is open to the elements, and a jetty with steps at one end and walking a few hundred metres up an uneven grassy slope to the retreat centre. Therefore, this retreat may not be accessible to some people. Please consider this before booking your place.
Lamlash Cruises who operate the sailing to Holy Isle may be able to help with individual inquires: https://lamlashcruises.org.uk/booking/day-visitor-excursion/
The Mindfulness for Life Summer Retreat is an annual retreat and part of the Mindfulness for Life programme. It is open to people who have completed our mindfulness, compassion and insight trainings either as one year courses at Samye Ling and related centres, or as part of the University of Aberdeen’s MSc in Mindfulness Studies, run in partnership with the Mindfulness Association.
The Mindfulness for Life retreats and gatherings provide participants with a space in which to come together and explore their practice in more depth and to continue the path of personal discovery in whatever form that may be for each participant. All participants speak a common language, which comes from a shared understanding of the variety of practices they have been introduced to over the course of the mindfulness, compassion, and insight modules with the Mindfulness Association. During our sessions together at the summer retreat, supported by Ian, Kristine and Vin, we may explore these practices in more depth or allow for more time and space to engage fully in the exercises that currently work for us. We will also explore new practices and different teaching methods and theories that may support our understanding further.
In addition to the annual retreat, participants are also offered the opportunity to participate in two additional practice days. The Mindfulness for Life Spring and Autumn Gatherings are informal practice days where we connect with fellow practitioners. The spring gathering will be held on the 17th May 2025, the dates of the autumn one are to be confirmed.
Previous participants from the said:
- I loved the variety of practises, how they were put together, in particular the different approaches to resting… And the emphasis on simplicity and what personally works was liberating… I value the connection with others too…
- I found this retreat incredibly beneficial to my inner self. The practices and talks by Vin, Ian and Kristine were so incredibly relevant and nourishing, and the safe place was held beautifully for deep and honest sharing… I have remained so thankful in the time following the retreat for the deeply grounded and nourished place I find myself!
- I enjoyed that any concepts presented were just enough to go about the practices and not too much that we entered too much conceptual thinking. The fact that everything presented was really applicable to how we can approach our lives differently to the benefit of ourselves and others. I really felt the dynamic of Vin, Ian and Kristine worked exceptionally well as there are different styles of teaching but they all complemented each other perfectly.
Pre-requisites
This course is open to those who have completed Levels 1, 2, 3 or the first two years of the MSc program. Long term practitioners who have completed appropriate equivalent trainings are also welcomed to apply by sending details of their experience to the Mindfulness Association.
