A professional training in the contemplative-based approach to end-of-life care

This training is part of Authentic Presence — A Certificate in Contemplative End-of-Life Care offered since 2003. It can be taken as a stand-alone or part of the Certificate.

Authentic Presence Immersion offers you skills in the art of being authentically and compassionately present for seriously ill and dying patients. Lead by a faculty of national and international health and social care professionals and educators, this training is far more than an academic course. It offers you the unique opportunity to experience and immerse yourself in the principles and practices of contemplative-based care. The approach embraces the deeper dimensions of living and dying and uses meditative and mindful techniques to support you to connect with your sources of joy, purpose and wholeness and to enhance your professional skills and knowledge in serving the dying.

The curriculum, inspired by Tibetan Buddhist contemplative methods, is non-denominational and experiential. It uses a variety of learning modalities, including individual, group and interactive work, as well as presentations. No prior experience in mindfulness or meditation is required.

Topics

Contemplative practice & contemplative care

• The contemplative approach to end-of-life care


• The integration of contemplative methodologies to cultivate greater compassion and wisdom

• Reflections on impermanence and death

• Self-care for caregivers: recognizing burnout, and contemplative practices for building resilience and cultivating self-compassion

• Deepening genuine compassion to improve therapeutic relationships

• How to create a peaceful environment in different settings

• Caregiving as spiritual practice

Training in contemplative listening and communication

• Extensive training in the methods for ‘Contemplative Listening and Communication’ and their practical applications

• ‘Council’ - a model for family and bereavement support and team meetings

Assessing and responding to the needs of the dying

• The practical, psycho-social and spiritual needs

• Responding to complex care situations

• Pediatric palliative care

• Healing relationships and methods for resolving unfinished business

• Addressing the deeper dimensions of life and death

• Recognizing and addressing spiritual pain

• Preparing for death

• Supporting those not affiliated with a faith tradition

Bereavement

• The process of bereavement and the spiritual dimension of bereavement

The training will be held at the Spiritual Care Centre at the Dzogchen Beara Meditation Centre which offers spectacular views of the Atlantic ocean.

The centre is a 2 – 2.5 hours drive from the Cork, Kerry and Shannon airports which offer international flights.

This skills training can be taken as a stand alone course or as part of the Certificate in Contemplative End-of-Life Care.