A lot has come our way recently and the word crisis is being used more and more: climate change, disruption of ecological balance, extinction of plants and animals, depletion of raw materials, pandemic, war. More stress and burnout. Less confidence in politics, education, healthcare and the economy. Instability in more and more areas of society. Is there still a viable future for our children and grandchildren?
We humans seem to be the most dangerous species that has ever lived on earth. At the same time, we are also capable of so many beautiful things. We can be extremely destructive and cruel as well as boundlessly creative and compassionate. For a sustainable future, we will have to drastically change our current lifestyle; focus not on prosperity, but well-being; not exploiting nature to earn more, but serving nature, because we are part of it. It is becoming increasingly urgent that we learn to get the best out of ourselves instead of the worst. This multiple crisis offers us an opportunity to do so.
With Frits Koster I developed a compassion training in mental health care as a follow-up to the mindfulness training. We are very grateful for the international interest in this, also outside mental health care. Afterwards we often hear from participants: 'if only we had learned this at school.'
Now that I have finished my work in regular healthcare, I would like to continue to work for healthcare in a broader sense. Our individual well-being is not separate from the health of the large ecosystem of which we are part. I'm thankful for that 30NOW gives me space to offer a six-week live course online that I call 'Compassion for all AGES'. This is lighter in scope than the original compassion training and intended for a wide audience, tailored to what is going on in the world right now.
How can we deepen our practice of compassion and interact more healthily with ourselves, with each other and with the Earth as a whole? Of course, there is no ready-made manual for this. We make a start by practicing, reflecting and exchanging with each other. We are inspired by ancient wisdom and modern science, by nature, art and culture.
'For all AGES' is a nod to the film rating. Although the course has been designed for adult participants, it does not need to be shielded from young viewers. This course wants to appeal to people in all their diversity and to reach across the differences in age, origin, orientation or philosophy of life. It's about LIFE in capital letters. We can't start it young enough, we're not too old for it and we never stop learning.
It is precisely in times of crisis that we often ask ourselves the big questions: who are we, where do we come from, where do we want to go? What is really of value and what do we want to pass on to future generations? How can we, while all kinds of things oppress us, still stand open-minded in the world? How can we deal with our individual and collective pain, our desires and insecurities, with the animal in us and the storyteller in us? How do we connect with the wisdom of the heart? How can we play, share and heal responsibly?
Will you join us on this journey of discovery? You are very welcome!
You can register if you answer the following questions in the affirmative:
- Are you through 30NOW, or by other means, familiar with the basic practice of mindfulness/meditation?
- Do you need deepening exercises in compassion towards yourself and others?
- Do you feel touched by the challenges of our time and wonder how to deal with them?
- Are you willing to do exercises to get to know ourselves better and to investigate together how we can live healthier and contribute to a better world?
- Are you physically, emotionally and mentally capable enough to participate in a six-week online course?
- Are you willing to attend the live sessions as much as possible and contribute to a safe atmosphere of respect and confidentiality in the group?
- In addition to following the weekly lectures and live sessions, can you free up an average of 30 minutes a day for exercises?
The course lasts six weeks with themes and exercises that connect to each other. On Friday from 09.00:XNUMX you will have access to the material of the week in question. You can watch and listen to this at a time of your choosing:
- a teaching around the week's theme (approximately 30 minutes) and suggestions for individual practice and reflection,
- one or two guided meditations to listen daily (about 30 minutes).
It's on every week Wednesday evening from 19.30 to 21.00 an online live session. We then do exercises together and there is room for exchange. There will be a maximum of half an hour afterwards to talk about it. The live sessions can be viewed later, with the exception of the exchanges in break-out rooms and the chat.
During the course you can share experiences with group members via the start page and week pages. If necessary, you can email the supervisor for personal questions.
Order date:
The course starts May 24, 2024. On the following Fridays you have access to that week's material from 09.00:29 am. The six online live sessions are on consecutive Wednesday evenings (May 10 - July 2024, 19, except Wednesday June 19.30) from 21.00:XNUMX PM - XNUMX:XNUMX PM.
This is what you can expect
Lectures in video format
Each weekly page starts with an in-depth recorded video lecture by Erik. A total of 6 episodes of 30 minutes each.
Live sessions
6 Wednesday evenings from 19.30 to 21.00 a live meeting via Zoom with all participants.
The live session is guided by Erik and consists of the following parts:
- Guided meditation.
- Reflection on the exercises and the theme of the week.
- Possibility of exchange, questions and answers, directly or using the chat function (depending on the number of participants).
- Room for an interpersonal practice of about 15-20 minutes together with other participants. For this exercise we use so-called break-out rooms. Break-out rooms are digital subgroups that allow you to temporarily split up into small groups of 3-4 participants. After the interpersonal exercise in breakout rooms, there is the opportunity to share experiences in a plenary session.
The data:
- May 29
- June 5
- June 12
- June 26
- July 3
- July 10
Guided Meditations
Guided meditations in audio format will be available throughout the course to support you. A total of 14 meditations with an average duration of 20 minutes.
Supporting Information
The weekly page also gives you access to practice suggestions, short texts, illustrations, reading and viewing tips.
Support and connection
On the start page, a section is only accessible to students where comments and questions can be posted. The facilitator answers questions on the home page or in the live session. Personal questions can be e-mailed to the supervisor. After the live session, there is still the opportunity for those who want to chat or ask questions (maximum half an hour).
Looking back
You can look back or listen to all parts during and after the course period: lectures, meditations, practice suggestions, supporting information and the live sessions (however did not the exchanges in break-out rooms and the after talk).
With an active Membership you retain unlimited access to the course material. This means that you can view the Course Home Page and Week Pages as long as you have an active membership. Without membership, the course material remains accessible for 3 months after the end of the course. The live sessions can be seen for another 3 months, both with and without membership.
Enables participation in exercise group
After this Live Course you can sign up separately for the continuous practice group, in which you continue to practice online together (10 times) with like-minded people every month. This way you will stay connected, motivated and inspired after this course.
Maximum participants
At the request of the supervisor, there is a maximum number of participants for this Live Course.
