PRE-CONFERENCE WORKSHOPS
Wednesday 8th October – six half-day workshops
Savoy Place, London
Make your choice of one of the three morning and one of the three afternoon workshops
Separately bookable
MORNING WORSKHOPS 9:00-12:00
Morning coffee break 10:15-10:45
Workshop 1
Becoming your own therapist
with Ven. Robina Courtin, Founder and Director, Liberation Prison Project, Australia & USA
Mind, or consciousness, is at the very heart of Buddhist practice. And knowing and transforming it – the whole spectrum of our thoughts, feelings and emotions – is work we all need to do. No matter how difficult life gets, it’s possible to work with our own minds and gradually get rid of stress, anxiety and other destructive emotions that we all take for granted as natural parts of life. Understanding that “everything is made up by our minds” frees us to relax, to enhance our positive energies and to let go of stressful emotions. We need to become our own therapists – really deeply knowing our own minds and how to change them. When we understand our minds, we can begin to develop our marvellous potential for clarity, contentment, love and the other positive qualities that Lord Buddha says are innate within us.
Workshop 2
The Fundamentals of Positive Psychology
with Reena Govindji, Clinical Psychologist, Centre for Applied Positive Psychology
Positive psychology is the study of the characteristics and processes that contribute to flourishing in people, groups, and organisations. It is focused on achieving high performance and enhancing well-being through harnessing strengths, doing more of what works, and building on success. It is the study of people at their best (Linley, 2007). This workshop will explore the three pillars of positive psychology (Seligman, 2002), which include positive experiences, positive individual traits, and positive institutions. The workshop will combine theory and unique practical exercises, all geared towards using the three pillars of positive psychology in your work and life.
Topics that will be covered include:
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Strengths-spotting in self and others
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Practical applications for enjoyment, challenge and meaning
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Implications for work, education and life
Workshop 3
“Hands-on” Happiness – a participatory playshop for creating community, Findhorn style
with Yvonne Cuneo & Barbara Swetina, Findhorn Foundation
This workshop is a practical experience of the many ways the Findhorn Foundation and Community have developed over the last 45 years to celebrate community and create a personal feeling of nourishment, well-being and connection with all life. A wide repertoire of exercises and games are used to help open the heart and relax the mind. Using tools like personal sharing, dance, song, games, guided meditation and inner listening participants are gently guided to rediscover the joy and happiness deep within and reconnect with the unity at the centre of our being. We will begin with a short introduction to Findhorn and its principles. So leave the busyness of modern life behind and come ready to relax, laugh and reconnect with who you really are! The Findhorn Foundation and Community is an education centre and ecovillage. Visit
www.findhorn.org
AFTERNOON WORKSHOPS 14:00-17:00
Afternoon tea break 15:15-15:45
Workshop 4
Learning to Recognize Concealed Emotions: Micro Expressions
with Dr David Matsumoto, Professor of Psychology, San Francisco State University, USA; Director and CEO, The Ekman Group - Research Division
Micro expressions - facial expressions of emotion that are very brief (1/15 of a second) - are signs of concealed emotions. When viewed in slowed motion they look like ordinary expressions of one of the seven universal emotions: happiness, fear, anger, disgust, sadness, contempt or surprise. Micro expressions are the result of either deliberate suppression or unconscious repression. Most people do not recognize micro expressions without the specialized training provided in this workshop. First the participants will take a test of how well they can recognize micro expressions. Then they will receive training and practice. A post test will reveal how well they can now spot micro expressions and feedback as to which emotions they are still missing. The use of information taken from micro expressions in family relationships, friendships, and in the workplace will be learned through interactive breakout groups.
Workshop 5
Happiness in the workplace using The 16 Guidelines for a Happy Life
with – Alison Murdoch, Director, Foundation for Developing Compassion and Wisdom, UK,
& Rasmus Hougaard,
Centre for Wisdom and
Compassion, Denmark
Mind your thoughts, as they become words;
Mind your words, as they become actions;
Mind your actions, as they become habits;
Mind your habits, as they define character;
Mind your character, as it becomes destiny.
(Yorùbá proverb)
Happiness in the workplace depends on choosing thoughts, words and actions that will bring a positive result for ourselves and for others. Developing our awareness of the habits and attitudes that we bring to our work can make all the difference between fulfilment or frustration. It is the direct path to a joyful working life. The 16 Guidelines for a Happy Life have the power to transform any kind of work. Based on an ancient formula from 7th century Tibet, they offer an inspiring and easily accessible tool to shift difficult situations and improve professional performance in the modern world. This workshop will present knowledge, inspiration and simple methods on how to lead a happier working life.
Workshop 6
Mindfulness based meditation workshop
Dr Tony Bates, Psychologist, Founding Director, Headstrong (National Centre for Youth Mental Health), Ireland
Mindfulness is a simple practice that enables us to become more vividly aware of whatever is happening in the present moment. It is a practice that is designed to enable us to become more vividly aware of the whole spectrum of life experience that constitutes our everyday living. And to bring to these experiences an attitude of gentle that enables us to be with and work with aspects of our lives that need healing. Mindfulness encourages us to bring to each moment a sense of wonder not merely for what is going on in our lives, but for the sheer fact that we are alive. This workshop will offer opportunities to discover that it is possible to be happy in the present moment. It will stress the importance of bringing a sense of joy to the practice, rather than viewing mindfulness meditation as a chore. A variety of excercises, a brief presentation, and a comprehensive handout detailing resources and references will be provided.
Stefan Klein, Germany
Professor Tania Singer, Switzerland
Anita Anand, UK
