Listening deeply during the pandemic: 3 

Resourcing ourselves together in the month of November.  

Ar scáth a chéile a mhaireann na daoine 

In the shelter of each other the people live 

Listening deeply during the pandemic: 3 is a weekly (5 Sundays) gathering, spanning the whole month of November, which invites and encourages a light but deep attending to our own well-being. In this third cycle, the emphasis is on showing up for ourselves, together.  

At this juncture in our collective pandemic experience, in its second wave, in Ireland we have entered our second lockdown. We're located somewhere along the timeline of 'the long haul', but we don't yet know where. Many of us feel exhausted – physically, mentally and emotionally. 

Many mindfulness and buddhist teachers are urging us towards one practice at this time: resourcing. Self-care is an essential part of a life and practice that engages with the world and this moment seems to be a time for bringing it to the fore. Rather than only practicing self-care by ourselves, we can come together to explore it. We need all our resources. A gentle, light approach seems to be the best way to find them.  

Let’s come together to resource ourselves, deepen our practice and show up for the long haul this November.   

Sundays, 10.30am - 12.00pm online-circle 

on November 01, 08, 15, 22 and 29.

Spaces limited to 14 

Participation: €60/€40*conc, or whatever you can afford at this time. Please feel welcome to get in touch with Niamh with any questions at hello@showingup.ie 

To book please click here

Meditation and compassion practice and mindfulness in daily life form the ground of our inquiry. The Covid-19 virus continues to move through our world in strong waves which may still provoke swiftly-changing emotions in us; ranging from anxiety and gratitude to grief and wonder. We may continue to experience significant losses in its midst. With mindfulness we make space for our experience, whatever it is, without judgment and with kindness.

Listening deeply during the pandemic 3: resourcing framework

One of four themes (listed below), which serve as practice prompts, is offered each Sunday morning. Our fifth and final online circle closes our inquiry together, on Sunday, November 29. 

Each gathering includes guided meditation, connection-circle practice to express our experiences of the previous week, and a short talk and exchange to introduce the next theme. Each inquiry is supported by a little additional, optional reading for inspiration and support, primarily from modern Buddhist teachers. 

1. Taking our seat and practicing discernment: (Re)establishing and reviving meditation practice, both formal and informal. Practicing discernment 'on and off the cushion' as we acknowledge and protect our basic sanity, and respect our individual capacity at this time. (Theme introduced November 01)

2. Finding nourishment in nature: opening to the ways in which we can still connect to 'outside' and to the many gifts of the natural world as Winter draws in. (Introduced November 08)

3. Cultivating play, ease and joy: kindly acknowledging any resistance we may feel towards offering ourselves good care. Gently opening the door to let in even small amounts more of play, ease and joy. (November 15)

4. Taking shelter in community:  Identifying the places where we feel we are accepted and belong. Lightly experimenting with extending good will to people beyond our normal circles so that we may experience wider connection and deeper belonging. (November 22)

 5. Identifying, sharing and gathering our best resources: appreciating our resourcefulness and harvesting and sharing what we've learned. (November 29)

Here's what some participants in the first and second cycles of Listening deeply... said about their experiences:

At times like C-19 especially when isolated or semi isolated I’d really recommend being part of a group like this on Zoom where with expert, sensitive facilitation we explored the themes together and shared our feelings and thoughts, speaking as spontaneously as we could and listening to each person from the heart. The readings and encouragement to have a daily practice helped also. - Eileen W 

Niamh holds a very safe space in which to explore your own experience and feelings within this pandemic and guides you very gently in exploring both within and beyond ourselves. Sharing our experiences and listening to others within a small group was a very sacred period of time and every suggestion or inquiry was very invitational, adding no pressure at all to the times we find ourself in. The exercises in the follow up email to each meeting were very useful in keeping the flow going between sessions. Thank you for this opportunity :-) Ruth S.

This is a simple yet very supportive way of looking the your own experience of the world and what's happening in it and how this is effecting you. I found it gave me a great sense of connection through the circle, while honouring each persons experience through deeply listening. It is a very powerful way of supporting yourself as well as others especially during difficulties. - Sarah C

This is a course about being in the world lightly . . . It's a space I highly recommend, a place of greater self-discovery with new friends. Paddy C

I found this inquiry really helpful to me for making some sense of what is happening - or maybe its' becoming closer to accepting uncertainty. Since March I have felt waves of disbelief, panic, optimism, despair, hope and more; a rollercoaster! The group gave me a space to acknowledge these feelings and listen to others going through similar and different experiences. This inquiry and the group has been a great support for me; it has been a very reflective process, with lots coming up that I had not considered in a long time. It has been so valuable to have the space to engage with these things, with support. - Nuala R

Niamh has a style of holding space that is soft, sacred and strong. I found her compassionate, committed, organised and authentic in turning up to facilitate the groups exploration of what it is to be fully human at this time and how we connect to life. - Mo H

I would highly recommend the Showing Up enquiry to anyone who is curious and interested in practicing meditation and understanding yourself and the world. Even if you have an inkling to listen a little more deeply to what this particular moment in history has to tell us....I would go for it. Niamh Barrett is a gifted teacher and has skilfully crafted themes and a programme that takes you on a voyage of understanding & revelation. - Erica B

Please click here to be taken through to Eventbrite to make your booking.  

Upon booking, Niamh will be in touch to confirm your registration and to schedule a brief orientation phone call. This is just to make sure that this framework is appropriate for your needs at this time. 

To use an alternative payment method please email Niamh at hello@showingup.ie