Mindfulness events hosted by the SSEP
For some years now, the Stammering Self-Empowerment Programme has been hosting a variety of different mindfulness events.
Our programme continues to change and evolve in response to feedback and requests from people who stammer.
Currently we host regular weekly online meditation sessions and a variety of residential meditation events. Details of which are given below.
Please note that the events we host are for people who already know how to meditate. We do not teach people to meditate as there are already many excellent teaching programmes available – both live and on the internet – many of which are completely free.
In the Mindfulness and Cognitive Therapies module of our online course, we do however, discuss in detail how meditation can help you manage you stammering.
Online Mindfulness Sessions
We hold these silent meditation sessions every Monday evening, from the beginning of September through to the end of May, – on Google Meet.
The group is open to both stammerers and normally-fluent speakers.
We start at 8pm (UK time) and we sit for two consecutive sittings of 30 minutes (with a 5-minute pause in between – to stretch your legs).
These sessions are for people who already know how to meditate (i.e., who don’t need guidance) and who would like to meditate together with other people.
During the two 30-minute sessions, you are free to practice whatever type of meditation you like. The most important requirement is that you are able to sit still and remain silent for 30 minutes at a time.
Most participants have some experience of one or more of the following: Zen, Vipassana, other Buddhist meditation, and/or Mindfulness training (such as Mindfulness-based Stress Reduction (MBSR)
Most participants’ practices include focussing on breathing, or practices like “metta” (loving kindness meditation).
Participants sit in front of their computer/tablet/smartphone (normally with their cameras turned on, although the camera is optional)
Microphones must be turned off.
Your eyes can be open or closed (if your eyes are open, you will be able to see the others who are meditating with you.
You can also listen to (your own choice of) guided meditations or meditation music – as long as your microphone is switched off so others can’t hear it.
The start and end of both 30-minute sessions is signalled by a gong.
There is no talking or social interaction in the meeting itself, but participants are invited to join our mindfulness social group (also on Google Meet) where there is the opportunity to chat.
These online meditation sessions are completely free of charge.
If you would like to join this online group, please email Paul for further details and logging-on instructions
Mindfulness Residential Retreats
For some years now, Paul Brocklehurst (Founder of the SSEP) has been hosting a variety of residential mindfulness Retreats. These currently take place each Autumn and Spring in the village of Etsaut, in the French Pyrenees, and are designed for a maximum of about 10 people. The retreats are of varying lengths – between 3 and 5 days and are intended for people who already have knowledge and experience of mindfulness/meditation.
All retreats involve a combination of sitting meditations, and (indoor and outdoor) walking meditations.
The retreats are open both to stammerers and normally-fluent speakers and they do not involve any therapy of any kind.
Intensive 3 day Silent Meditation Retreat20 -23 October 2023
This retreat involves a total of between 5 and 6 hours of sitting meditation each day plus walking meditations and yoga/stretching exercises.
Sitting meditations last for 30 minutes at a time and are interspersed either with short (5 minute) walking meditations (kinhin) or (guided) yoga/stretching exercises. In addition, during the day, there are some longer (outdoor) walking meditations.
Participants are required to maintain silence (i.e. refrain from all unnecessary speech) for the duration of the retreat.
Programme
- 3 days of silent sitting and walking meditation.
- For experienced meditators only.
- Some limited accommodation available in our house (but rooms nearby available to rent if necessary)
- A maximum 10 participants
- Vegetarian meals provided (with vegan options)
- We charge for food and accommodation, but the meditation and other activities are free.
- Attendance for single days possible.
Our intention is to provide a venue and a conducive environment for a small group of experienced meditators to come together for three days of silent practice. The main part of each day will be taken up with a series of (unguided) sitting meditations, punctuated by (indoor and outdoor) walking meditations (kinhin) and some simple mindful stretching exercises. For the sitting meditations, participants are invited to adopt whatever silent meditation routines they normally practice, the only caveat being that they must remain still and silent for the duration of each 30 minute sitting session.
20 October 2023
- 16.00-18.30 Reception open
- 18.30 evening meal & Introductions.
- 21.00 start of silence.
- 21.00-22.00 meditation (2×30 minutes sitting interspersed with walking meditation.
21-22 October
DAILY SILENT MEDITATION ROUTINE:
- 6.30 – 8.40 meditation (sitting 3×30 minutes interspersed with walking meditation and yoga).
- 9.00 vegetarian breakfast.
- 09.45 – 10.30 outdoors walking meditation (weather permitting).
- 11.00 – 12.30 meditation (2×30 minutes sitting interspersed with walking meditation.
- 12.45 – 16.30 lunch & afternoon break & opportunities for a 90-minute mindful walk in the hills behind Etsaut.
- 16.30 – 18.45 meditation (3×30 minutes sitting interspersed with walking meditation or yoga/stretching).
- 18.45 evening meal.
- 20.00 – 21.45 meditation (3×30 minutes sitting interspersed with walking meditation).
23 October
- 6.30 – 8.40 meditation (sitting 3×30 minutes interspersed with walking meditation and yoga).
- 9.00 vegetarian breakfast.
- 09.45 – 10.30 outdoors walking meditation (weather permitting).
- 11.00 – 12.30 meditation (2×30 minutes sitting interspersed with walking meditation.
- 12.45 – 16.30 lunch & afternoon break & opportunities for a 90-minute mindful walk in the hills behind Etsaut.
- 16.30 – 18.45 Final meditation sessions (3×30 minutes sitting interspersed with walking meditation or yoga/stretching).
- 18.45 End of silence.
- 19.00 evening meal.
THE VENUE
The sitting meditations and all meals are at
in the village of Etsaut in the French Pyrenees.
Participants will be accommodated either at La Maison d’en Bas or elsewhere in Etsaut (a minute or two’s walk from La Maison d’en Bas).
ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS
If you wish to take part in this intensive it is vital that you already have some experience of intensive (whole day) meditation and are able to sit silently, without fidgeting, for at least 30 minutes at a time. In total there are eleven 30-minute sitting meditation sessions each day; in other words, 5½ hours sitting per day. The sitting meditations are not guided.
Throughout the 3 day intensive, the only speech allowed will be that which is necessary (such as asking questions relating to activities, alerting us to issues that need to be attended to. There should be no social conversation with anyone during these days.
Mobile phones and computers should be turned off (or put on flight mode) before the start of the intensive and we recommend that you remain offline until after the intensive is over. (We can provide you with the telephone number of one of our helpers, who will remain available throughout the retreat to receive calls and pass on important messages. You can forward this number on to anyone who may need to contact you in case of an emergency).
During this retreat, we request that you only read material that supports your meditation practice. We recommend that you bring a notebook or diary along, to write in.
- Meditation and related activities are free of charge
- Attendance for single days is possible.
- If you are not staying overnight, we request that you donate towards the cost of meals
- If you wish to stay overnight, the cost of a bed (in a shared room) in the meditation venue is €42/night. This price includes towels, bedding and all meals)
If you would like to enrol, please complete this online form and we will contact you with details of remaining spaces and how to reserve them.
Combined Meditation and Social Retreat (spring 2024 - exact dates not yet fixed)
These involve a total of about 2 hours of sitting and walking meditation each morning and an hour and a half each evening.
Sitting meditations last for 30 minutes at a time and are interspersed either with short (5 minute) walking meditations (kinhin) or (guided) yoga/stretching exercises.
In between these morning and evening sessions, participants are free to socialise and to enjoy the village and surrounding countryside.
Sample programme (from the spring 2023 meditation and social event)
- 3 mornings and evenings of silent sitting and walking meditation.
- Daytimes will be free for social activities.
- For experienced meditators only.
- Some limited accommodation available in our house (only for people intending to attend all of the 3 days’ meditation sessions).
- rooms nearby available to rent if necessary
- A maximum 10 participants
- Registration for single days also possible
- Vegetarian meals provided (with vegan options)
- We charge for food and accommodation, but the meditation and other activities are free.
Our intention is to provide a venue and a conducive environment for a small group of experienced meditators to meditate together and to enjoy the natural environment and each other’s company. Mornings and evenings will be taken up with a series of unguided sitting meditations punctuated by walking meditations and some simple mindful stretching exercises. For the sitting meditations, participants are invited to adopt whatevver silent meditation techniques they normally practice, the only caveat being that they must remain still and silent forthe duration of each 30 minute sitting session.
Day 1
- 18.30 evening meal & Introductions.
- 21.00 start of silence.
- 21.00-22.00 meditation (2×30 minutes sitting interspersed with walking meditation.
Days 2-4
DAILY MEDITATION/SOCIAL ROUTINE:
- 06.30-08.30 3×30 minutes sitting interspersed with 5-minute walking meditations (kinhin)
- 9.00 vegetarian breakfast.
- 09.30-18.30 free time
- 18.30-19.30 evening meal
- 20.00-22.00 3×30 minutes sitting interspersed with 5-minute walking meditations (kinhin)
Day 5
- 6.30 – 8.40 meditation (sitting 3×30 mins interspersed with walking meditation or yoga/stretches).
- 8.45 Final breakfast.
THE VENUE
The sitting meditations and morning and evening meals will take place at La Maison d’en Bas.
Picnic lunches will be provided.
Participants will be accommodated either at La Maison d’en Bas or elsewhere in Etsaut ( a minute or two’s walk from La Maison d’en Bas.
ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS
If you wish to join us in these meditations it is vital that you already have some experience of meditation and are able to sit silently, without fidgeting, for at least 30 minutes at a time. In total we will do three 30-minute sitting meditation sessions each morning and three 30-minute sitting meditation sessions each evening. The sitting meditations are not guided.
If you intend to join in all the meditations over the 3 days, we may be able to accommodate you in La Maison d’en Bas. If you wish to only register for individual days, then we find you accommodation nearby (there are a variety of option within easy walking distance) or you can arrange your own accommodation.