Listening deeply during the pandemic 4: 

Simple presence 

In the spring rain

All things grow beautiful. 

Chiyo-Ni 

Listening deeply during the pandemic 4: Simple presence is a weekly (5 Sundays) gathering, spanning spring and early summer, from mid-April to mid-May. 

Once again in Covid 19 we find ourselves moving out of lockdown in Ireland, this time maybe for the last?

Before this extraordinary time has passed and some version of 'normal' has resumed, we'll gather to bear witness together to the lessons and gifts of this time, deepen our mindfulness practice and embrace the return of spring. 

This fourth ‘listening deeply’ cycle offers a compassionate, non-judgemental space for acknowledging the wholeness of this past year, both its suffering and its joy. It facilitates simplicity, lightness and ‘doing less and being more’, in Jon Kabat Zinn’s phrase. Through simple, mindful presence we can trust that what arises in the moment is what naturally needs our attention and is what truly needs to be done. 

As the natural world awakens, brightens and gathers energy and focus it invites us into more wakeful presence, too. We'll practice opening to our senses and the simple information that comes to us through them, in the form of sounds, smell, taste, touch and sight. Practice suggestions for in-between the weekly sessions will invite sensory engagement with this ever-present support of the natural world.  

There will be a facilitated listening circle as part of each session.

Morning mindfulness retreat on May 09, 10:00 – 13:30 

The fourth session on May 09 is intended as a longer stretch of mindfulness practice (3.5 hours) to give ourselves a chance to deepen our practice and find nourishment through stillness. This morning retreat will include mindful eating during a half hour break, guided mindfulness practices including bodyscan and mindful walking, lots of mindful breaks away from the screen and time for sharing in breakouts and the big group towards the end of the retreat. 

Mindfully retreating, even for a few hours at home, can be a powerful way to reset and come home to ourselves. 

Join us in April and May to drop into simple presence together through mindfulness practice, deep listening and opening to our senses. 

Sundays, 11.00am - 12.30pm 

on April 18, 25, May 02, May 16

Morning retreat on May 09, 10:00 - 13:30

Spaces limited to 14 

Participation: €60/€30*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

To book in for just the morning mindfulness retreat on May 09 @ €20/€10 please click here

Listening deeply during the pandemic 4: Simple presence 

Framework

Each gathering includes guided mindfulness meditation, listening-circle practice, and a short talk and exchange to introduce the next theme. 

1. Remembering presence: (Re)establishing and reviving mindfulness meditation practice, according to the shape of our life at this time. Keeping it simple. (Theme introduced April 18)

2. Practicing discernment: acknowledging and protecting our basic sanity. Choosing which information we engage with and consume, how and when. De-cluttering the information field. (April 25)

3. Coming to our senses: Opening to the simple, trustworthy information that we take in through the 'sense doors' of sight, hearing, tasting, touching, smelling. Engaging with nature to heighten our senses in 'sense-partnership' (May 02)

4. Deepening presence:  Morning mindfulness retreat (May 09, optional)

5. Sharing the harvest: sharing what we've learned and reflecting on how we might offer the gift of simple presence to another, or others, in our life (May 16)

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

Listening deeply practice and rationale:

Meditation and compassion practice, deep listening and mindfulness in daily life form the ground of our inquiries. The Covid-19 virus and its variants continue to move through our world in strong waves which may still provoke swiftly-changing emotions in us; ranging from anxiety and gratitude to wonder and grief. 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.

Here's what some participants in earlier cycles of Listening deeply... said about their experiences:

I found this to be a wonderful circle experience. The exercises are great resources, the groups sharing so honestly gave me permission to be vulnerable and Niamh creates this safe space to grow, be playful, heal and connect with other beautiful souls. - Charlie R

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