Authentic Presence Immersion
Training in the Contemplative-based Approach to End-of-Life Care
Tuesday 13 October, 3pm to Sunday 18 October,1pm 2026
Skills training in the contemplative-based approach to end-of-life care for health and social care professionals, spiritual care providers, doulas and volunteers.
- How can I prevent becoming overwhelmed by the loss I witness?
- How do I stay present without losing my own sense of well-being?
- How do I speak about death and address deeper fears and concerns with patients and families?
Presence, compassion and skilled expertise are critical in offering comfort and support for dying patients. Authentic Presence Immersion is an experiential training in contemplative-based end-of-life care. The training offers participants the space and the opportunity to strengthen their inner balance and enhance their skills and knowledge serving the dying. It explores the deeper dimension of living, dying, caregiving and spiritual care by bringing together the practical knowledge of today’s palliative care environments with the contemplative methods of mindfulness, compassion and awareness.
Led by a team of experienced health and social care professionals, spiritual providers and meditation teachers from Ireland and Europe.
Authentic Presence Immersion employs a variety of learning modalities, including individual, group and interactive work, as well as presentations.
Through learning how to apply and integrate contemplative tools and resources, participants will learn to:
- Cultivate greater mindful awareness and manage their responses
- Practice self-compassion in the day-to-day encounters with experiences of suffering and mortality and sustain compassionate intention
- Enhance their competencies and skills and increase trust and confidence in their own inner wisdom
- Embody authentic presence
Participants will learn how to facilitate a dying person’s process towards:
- Understanding and transforming suffering
- Experiencing a genuine connection with others and healing relationships
- Finding meaning in life, illness, and dying
- Finding a source of comfort or peace
Topics
Contemplative Practice & Contemplative Care
- Introduction to the contemplative care model of authentic presence
- Practising self-care and self-compassion during challenging times: contemplative resources for building resilience and connecting with our sources of joy,
- Spirituality and purpose
- Sustaining a compassionate attitude and cultivating authentic presence in therapeutic relationships
- Dealing with the realities of suffering, grief and mortality
- Creating a peaceful environment in different settings
- Caregiving as a spiritual and contemplative practice
Training in Contemplative Listening and Communication
- Extensive training in the model of ‘Contemplative Listening and Communication’ and its practical applications working with patients, families and staff
- ‘Council’ – a listening model for family and bereavement support and team meetings
Assessing and responding to the needs of the dying
- Identifying and addressing practical, psycho-social and spiritual needs
- Managing complex care situations
- Healing relationships and methods for resolving unfinished business
- Addressing the deeper dimensions of the dying process
- Recognizing and addressing spiritual pain
- Supporting patients and families to prepare for death and saying good-bye
Bereavement
- Understanding the process of bereavement and the spiritual dimension of bereavement
Watch this video
Certification
The Immersion module is part of the Certificate in Contemplative End-of-Life Care offered by Authentic Presence Program US. The course has enjoyed great success in the USA for the past 20 years. It is the third time it is held at Dzogchen Beara Meditation Centre. The module can be taken as a stand-alone or part of the Certificate.
For more information
Website: authentic-presence.org
Email: usa@authentic-presence.org
Location
The training will be held at the Spiritual Care Centre at Dzogchen Beara, West Cork, Ireland. Dzogchen Beara is known for its breathtaking beauty and spectacular views. Nearly everyone who has come to visit has commented on the healing power of the natural environment and the pervasive atmosphere of deep peace and tranquility. There couldn’t be a better place for the immersive experience of this training.
Dzogchen Beara Meditation Centre is a 2 – 2.5 hours drive from the Cork, Kerry and Shannon airports which offer international flights.
Apply Now
If you are interested in participating in this training, you are requested to please complete this Application Form.
Please use this document to help prepare and gather your responses. You can then submit your answers digitally on this Application Form.
Fee €850
Five scholarship places available at €620.
Limited accommodation is available on-site. Book early!
A list of hostels, B&B’s self-catering accommodation and hotels in the local area is available here.
Vegetarian lunches and light evening meals will be provided as part of your course fee. Breakfast will also be provided for participants staying in all our on-site accommodation.
Coming Soon
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Enquiries by email or + 353 (0) 27 73032
To view our visitor information, please click here.
Kirsten is a long-time Buddhist practitioner and is currently on the steering committee of the European Buddhist Union’s chaplaincy network. She teaches regularly at Dzogchen Beara and is part of the care team supporting guests at the Spiritual Care Centre.
Noel currently is the principal social worker at Milford Care Centre, a specialist palliative care service in the Midwest of Ireland. He helps manage the Social Work Department, Pastoral Care Team, Staff Support Service, all of which play a role in accompanying the dying. He continues to have direct involvement with patients and their families. Over the last twenty-five years, he has worked for both statutory and voluntary organisations in community settings, residential care settings and now specialist palliative care. Deepening his understanding of spiritual care and its role in all our lives drew him to Authentic Presence. Noel is a graduate of Authentic Presence’s Contemplative End-of-Life Care Certificate Programme.