Integrating Meditation in Care

A 8-week professional on-line training for professionals and trained volunteers working in healthcare, social and human services and education. May be taken as a stand alone course or as part of the Certificate in Contemplative End-of-Life Care Program.

What patients and clients most need is to feel truly heard and cared for by those who care for them. Cultivating Compassionate Presence teaches professionals exactly this.  Step-by-step, participants learn to apply and integrate contemplative tools that foster a greater sense of self-awareness and well-being, practical resources for preventing burnout and enhancing their professional skills and competencies.

Recent research shows on-going contemplative practice, such as mindfulness or meditation, can improve attention and memory, increase compassionate responses, reduce stress, increase confidence in challenging situations and renew enthusiasm.

Join this online course and study together with like-minded professionals wherever you are, whether you are new to meditation or experienced.

Topic Outline

Week 1 
The Heart of Care
Introduction to the Contemplative Approach to Care and Working with our Intention

Week 2 
Cultivating Presence through Mindfulness and Meditation
Practical Application and Benefits of these Contemplative Tools

Week 3 
A Framework for Compassionate Presence
Sustaining a Compassionate Attitude

Week 4 
What is Suffering?
Reflecting on the Nature of Suffering in Modern Care Systems

Week 5 
Caring for Ourselves and Caring for Others
Finding the Right Balance-The Practice of Loving Kindness

Week 6 
Caring for Difficult Patients and Clients
Transforming Difficult Care Situations-Enhancing Empathy and Compassion

Week 7
When compassion starts to hurt
Preventing burn-out

Week 8 
Being a Compassionate Presence
Simple Steps to Continue Practicing Compassionate Presence in Life and Work