The Compassion Course

I’ve been spending more time recently on my other blog – The Compassion Course, setting it up – to support my workshop, of the same name.

Michelle (Pritchard) is helping me – she’s recently joined me as project manager for the course; her gutsy enthusiasm is just what’s needed to keep me on track with building momentum in presenting the course throughout 2010.

Find out more by going to www.thecompassioncourse.com – including dates, venues, cost (the last weekend at introductory fee level is coming up very soon and for now, there are still places available!) online booking, .. and the first of many articles which will appear from Michelle and myself.

And please bear with me – if for the next month or so, I’m not adding so much on this blog.

Ecology of the mind

One of the many features that I love about nlp is how in every technique and process there is what is known as an ecology check. Assuming that we humans are made up of many parts, a change to one part effects how it then interacts with other parts.

The ecology check ensures that any change is benevolent to all concerned.

When our different parts get out of sync with each other – which they often do by attempting to take care of us in different and opposing ways, then ‘we have a problem’.

The benefit that we can bring to problem part(s) through nlp, or for that matter, any other personal change work may, inadvertantly interfere negatively with the wider system.

The ecology check therefore expands the focus to check for any likely negative side effects. In an ecology check we simply enquire of ourselves along these lines ..

“Calling all parts, calling all parts – is everyone of you (me) happy with what is going on here?!”

And we listen, through ALL our senses to any response. If there’s (quite literally) a sense of uncertainty, objection, or resistance – then that’s just fine. It always is in nlp! We simply thank the part and pay attention to it, inviting it to make clear its uncertainty, objection or resistance.

Remember, nlp works on presuppositions, one of which is  that every behaviour (part) has a positive intention. The response and clarity of thought that will then come through this compassionate moment we show ourselves will provide a more complete picture – enabling us to bring a more complete – and lasting, ecological solution.

Some great ecology questions:

“Is it worth it?”

“What have I not considered?”

“What is the price of this change?”

“What are/will be the wider consequences of this action?”

“What is good about now (before the change), and how can I keep what’s good (after the change)?”

The fact is, we human brings are pretty complex, and every thought and behaviour pattern has consequences beyond their immediate context. What starts as a internal ripple can become a tidal wave which can effect not only us, but others, known and unknown in our wider system. ‘Far better that we run any proposed or recent change-work through the ecology check first!

The Fear of Compassion

The Fear of Compassion

A 2-day workshop. 10.00-17.00 both days.

Next dates ..

3 & 4 October 2009. Milton Keynes.
BOOK ONLINE HERE £30 deposit.

14 & 15 November 2009. Milton Keynes.

12 & 13 December 2009. Milton Keynes.

Two full days to explore cutting edge attitudes & strategies which build compassion. Inspired from the fields of psychology, philosophy, neurolinguistic programming (nlp), and attitudinal healing.

Time and again, scientific research shows the importance of compassion of self and others for meeting the challenges of life.

Too often however, in the drive for ‘competitive edge and efficiency’ compassion is forgotten.
What we forget, we become fearful of.

This highly practical workshop emphasises that compassion isas much about creating a
purposeful future, as about healing past hurt.

‘All seek happiness. None seeks suffering.’ The Dalai Lama

PLEASE NOTE: Places are limited. Use link above to make your booking.

The intention behind this workshop is to raise curiosity about the subjective structures we use for experiencing and showing compassion. We explore how every individual can increase their choices – and opportunities for living with compassion. We emphasise the ‘how’s’ rather then ‘why’s’ , ‘structure’ rather than ‘content’ , and ‘usefulness’ rather than ‘good/bad’.

Kind comments about this workshop:

“I found this course to be incredibly beneficial and successful and a joy to do. I really enjoyed learning about the theories and doing the exercises – the content was both relevant and helpful to me. Thank you Phil for putting together the course; it is amazing – so well done. I’m feeling far more at peace with myself and far more compassionate with myself and others, so its a RESULT!”
Michelle Pritchard. Business Enterprise Manager. East London Secondary School

“I had a brilliant weekend; a lot of very practical, hands on exercises and tips. Phil has this wonderful way to make us feel secure, and at ease – encouraging us to explore the different ‘hidden’ parts of our shy but precious compassionate self. Thank you for such an inspiring course.”
Mathilde B. Touch Therapist. Primary School, West London.

“I find each time I do a session with Phil, I leave with a positive attitude. I find this course useful and necessary for everyone to keep a balanced life and be happy within themselves.”
Dolly Rahman. Teaching Assistant. East London Secondary School

“I have been in the presence of a master! The course has been truly beneficial.”
John Carter. Landscape Gardener.

“Exciting course that pulls together many different ways of shifting thinking and feeling without feeling personally exposed or going into story. Lots of fun. Very big thank you for a number of light bulb moments and in raising my curiosity to really want to continue on this journey.”
Anne. Social Work Manager.

These are some of the areas explored through discussion, demonstrating, and some exciting group and pairs exercises.

• What is so important about compassion? How does living compassionately effect us – and what is science telling us? Is there a difference between sympathy, empathy, and compassion, does it matter?
• In what areas of our lives do we find compassion? Can we learn it? Where does it come from? What do we do when we can’t find it? Why we get fearful and lonely and what can we do about it. How does compassion influence our values, beliefs, and perceptions? What can we do when we get compassion fatigue?
• What prevents us from being compassionate? Where is the conflict, and what do we do about it? What are the different neurological levels of compassion? How exactly does the brain help and hinder us? Why is the brain designed to make mistakes? What do we do when we continually sabotage our own happiness and compassion? What has our evolution got to do with it?
• How can we be more compassionate in our everyday life? How can we feel less anxious, worried, fragmented? How do we get in our own way? What is the forgotten essential seventh sense?
• Does responsibility need always to be heavy, and linked to blame? Why does guilt have a short ‘shelf life’? And what do guilt, shame, and fear have to do with compassion?
• Which attitudes contribute to, build, and maintain compassion? What can we do when judgement, criticism, blame, guilt, shame, and attacking and/or intrusive thoughts and/or action take over? Why can we often not let go of anger?
• How do we build more compassionate relationships? Do we need a partner or family to experience compassion? Why there is always a minimum of four in any relationship? What is a JAFO? What has the structure of time and physiology got to do with it all? How love itself is intelligent, and not simply a verb?

• who is the workshop for? Anyone who wants to re-connect to compassion in their life and/or help others do this. Especially those working in the education, social services, charity, criminal justice, personal development and health sectors. Also parents, carers, coaches, counsellors, and therapists.

• the venue:Action for ChildrenFamily Centre . Greenleys Milton Keynes. (45 mins by train from London/Birmingham) Travel & accomodation details are supplied on request.
  
• your trainer:Phil Reed. Nlp Master Practitioner & Cert.Coach. (ITS London) AAMET Adv.Cert Trainer. Formerly a police officer, Phil works through inner city London schools, charities, and social services, with staff, parents, students, and young people.
  
• the fees: funded by your employer/organisation: £160.00. If funding yourself – £80.00.
• This includes comprehensive manual/personal log book, teas/coffees, & optional email follow-up support. Please bring a packed lunch.

• how to book your place: Places are limited. Please use the on-line booking link above.
  
• A £30 deposit is required to secure individual bookings, with the balance due before training commences.
  

Payment can be by cash, cheque, bank transfer, or online card payment. Please indicate your preference when booking. If paying by PayPal you do not require a PayPal account.

Please note: If you cancel within 7 days of the course start, and your place is not taken by another person or you are not able to book another date, your deposit may be lost. If in the unlikely event of the course having to be cancelled by Phil Reed, your deposit will be returned to you.