The Most Important Moment
A 4-day Immersive Retreat on Preparing for Death
“For someone who has prepared and practised, death comes not as a defeat but as a triumph, the crowning and most glorious moment of life. The moment of death is a tremendous opportunity, if we understand clearly what is happening, and we have prepared well for it in life.” Sogyal Rinpoche
This retreat offers something rare: dedicated time, in a supportive community, to prepare for your dying with care, clarity and confidence.
Led by Kirsten DeLeo (Rigpa teacher) Susan Browne (Senior Practice Holder), it invites students from all Mandalas to clarify their practice and prepare spiritually, emotionally, and practically for death. If you’ve thought about getting ready — or started preparing and then put it off — this is the time to finally do it.
What to expect?
- In a peaceful environment free of everyday distractions, and alongside dharma friends, the retreat includes:
- Group sessions sharing special teachings
- Guided meditations, reflections, and discussions
- One-on-one sessions with Susan and Kirsten to support your personal practice and address individual questions or concerns
- Silent periods, space for personal practice, and time to enjoy the natural beauty of Dzogchen Beara
- The retreat will be held in the shrine-room of the Spiritual Care Centre.
Topics
- Contemplating dying as a practitioner
- Identifying what’s needed to support your dharma vision for dying
- The dying process, the moment of death, and the bardos
- Practices for dying and the moment of death
- Creating a practical plan — completing your spiritual care directive and medical care directives
- Resolving unfinished business and addressing challenging family dynamics
- Spiritual and practical advocacy — communicating your wishes with loved ones, dharma friends, and medical care providers
- Available resources, teachings, and guidance
Who is it for?
Students from all Rigpa mandalas are warmly encouraged to join.
Preparing for the retreat
Participants will receive a getting-ready package beforehand. Since official documents vary by country, we encourage everyone to research their own country’s requirements in advance and bring relevant documents (such as a Living Will) to work with during the retreat.
Extending your retreat
We encourage you, if you can to build in extra time after for personal reflection and retreat.
Please register early as space is limited.
Location
The retreat will be held in the Spiritual Care Centre.
Kirsten DeLeo
Kirsten DeLeo is a meditation teacher and author of the award-winning book “Present Through The End. A Caring Companion’s Guide for Accompanying the Dying”. Kirsten has accompanied seriously ill patients and their families for more than twenty-five years and has been immersed in Buddhist practice for over twenty years, including a three-year meditation retreat. She helped to pioneer “Authentic Presence”, one of the first training programmes in contemplative end-of-life care in the US. Kirsten lives near Dzogchen Beara where she teaches regularly and supports the guests of the Spiritual Care Centre. Kirsten is known for her clarity and warmth and shares the practices of meditation and compassion in a down-to-earth way.
To find out more about Kirsten, visit: kirstendeleo.com
Susan Browne
Susan Browne has over 30 years experience of Buddhist meditation and compassion practices. She has been guiding groups and individuals in retreat over the past 25 years, both at Dzogchen Beara, and at the Institute of Wisdom and Compassion, France. She herself has completed several years of closed retreat and many in-depth studies.
Susan specialises in one-on-one and small group sessions, giving guidance on meditation methods that best help move through challenges one is facing. To find more about Susan visit restyourmind.ie