Care retreats

Jacqui with Spiritual Care Educator Judy Arpana at the Living with Illness retreat at Dzogchen Beara

Many people going through difficult times and crises in their lives have come to Dzogchen Beara, to stay in our cottages and find support in the extraordinary natural environment and from the spiritual community who live and work here. Most of these people just happened to find Dzogchen Beara. Now we would like to promote the centre as a place available to others who, like them, are going through major changes in their lives and would benefit from a period of rest and reflection, supported by the resident community of spiritual practitioners.

In recent years we have supported a woman with motor neuron disease who came with her partner and daughter to spend precious time together, a young man also with motor neuron disease who came with family and friends for rest and reflection. A filmmaker who was diagnosed with cancer came to explore how the teachings and practices of Tibetan Buddhism could support him in his healing. We also supported a young woman with cancer who came to spend the last weeks of her life here and found refuge in the stillness and tranquility.

Our Care Retreats are particularly suited to:

• Those who are facing their own death or that of a loved one
• Those who are experiencing major life changes or bereavement
• Caregivers who are exhausted by their care work and who wish to take time to rebuild their resources

For more information about practical aspects of Care Retreats, please see Practical information.