Care givers need care too- Heart of Caring Conference

THE HEART OF CARING 
Compassion and Loving Kindness must begin with the self. 

This conference, organised by The Sanctuary, will explore how cultivating Loving Kindness and Compassion for oneself can be a stable foundation for ‘Carers’ and those working in the Caring Profession. 

There is a growing body of evidence that Loving Kindness Meditation and Compassion are useful in creating the conditions for a more caring and resilient environment both at work and at home. We will consider what is at stake for Carers when Self Compassion and Loving Kindness are absent and why that absence can lead to severe burnout. 
see here for more 

The cost of the conference is €110, but the Sanctuary has created 'sponsored places' specifically for family carers.  You can become a sponsor to enable a carer to attend at reduced cost, or your company can sponsor a conference place for a carer. 

Details:

Are you a full time carer or do you know a carer who you feel would benefit from attending our conference?

For our 7th Annual Conference. 'The Heart of Caring' on May 10th we will reduce 50 conference tickets to €50 each.

This is in the spirit of ensuring that those who are carers who just can not afford to go can join us on a day of caring with and for each other. Cost can be prohibitive for those on Carer's Allowance. Many carers who are on Carer's Allowance and want to come to the Sanctuary Conference possibly have to pay for someone else to spend the day caring. These supportive gatherings based on Loving Kindness and Compassion are essential for carers.

To avail of this discount, please enter the code "carersconfdis16" at the checkout. Tickets are limited to two per person. A max of 50 tickets are available under this discount. Please book early to avoid disappointment. These tickets are offered on a trust system. No proof of payment or occupation is required. We would kindly ask that this system is respected so that those who really need it can benefit.

May 10th 2016, Dublin Castle, 9am - 4pm

Includes lunch and refreshments

Speakers: Sharon Salzberg, Niamh Bruce and Kathleen Neenan

Click Here to Book

In addition to the above places we are seeking sponsors for additional carer's places. If you or your company would like to sponsor a conference place for a carer, please ring us on 016705419. In association with the Carer's Alliance of Ireland we will allocate these places to family carers. The cost per sponsorship place is €75.00. Full receipts for the donation will be provided. 

From "Into the Light"  by Corina Duyn  (shop)

Reflections on the celebration and book launch at the Sanctuary in Dublin

view from the small meditation room into the larger space
where the launch was held.

The celebration and launch of Into the Light at the Sanctuary is one event I won't forget for while. I received so much support: Jane who brought me there and supported me over the weekend, from J. who kindly sponsored our stay, and all the staff and Sr. Stan at the Sanctuary, and friends who supported me in their thoughts, helped me to pack books, and baked gorgeous cookies. My deepest gratitude to all.  

On Friday we took 'part-ownership' of the beautiful meditation room with it's vibrant blue wall and stain glassed windows, to display some of my sculptures and hang one of the sets of the 'flags' (pages from my book in a box)

Saturday was the actual launch. Again welcomed with open arms. The Sanctuary is really that, a sanctuary of tranquility and kindness.

There was a lovely groups of people for this event. The conversations about the book and all things related to life with illness were already being discussed before the actual talks. Very interesting indeed.

Sr. Stan, the founder of the Sanctuary started the official proceedings by telling the guests about the Sanctuary and that this afternoon "... was an opportunity to launch an extraordinary book. An extraordinary useful publication.

In many ways it is a journey of a soul, which is the story of somebody who has lived with chronic illness for 17 years, and through that has gained extraordinary insight into the world.... Into disability area in the first place..." Telling a little about my year of Disability Studies and finding that there was little about the experience of illness/disability and how my deteriorating health at the time of writing the book, dictated the final format of loose sheets in a box.

Sr. Stan and myself...

The voice recording of the talk is available at the bottom of this page 

"[Into the Light] is not just an ordinary book, it is a deeply spiritual, inspirational work. 

The story of challenges overcome through courage; the story of fear overcome by hope, the story of darkness overcome by light, and that comes right through, it is really really inspirational. It makes for an extraordinary presentation."

"The loose sheets - all aspects of image, quote and reflection are all connected.  It is accessible for the reader, inviting them to participate." Sr. Stan said about the pages: "It doesn't need my words . They speak for themselves."

It was lovely to see and hear Sr. Stan reading some of the pages from the book as it looked like she almost forgot that she was reading them for others to hear; she seems to be taking in the images afresh every time. Thank you!

Reading the page with the quote of the Buddha, Sr. Stan concluded that "Corina discovered her world and has illuminated that for others."

It was then my turn to talk. I started with my background and move to Ireland, the first indications about being ill, and how I had to learn to find my way in this new world. To take ownership of my life, to learn from nature, to use my creativity and how in the very recent past I am starting to be more comfortable to share my experiences more hands on- through the puppet workshop, the talk at UCC and now at the Sanctuary.

The voice recording of the whole talk is available at the bottom of this page 

Afterwards I had some great, but all to short, conversations with guests in a more private capacity, and it looks like some new opportunities may arise from this event. 

I am deeply honoured to have had to opportunity to be part of the Sanctuary 

for a few hours on a wet and rather cold April day.

Puppet Johnny joined us at the launch too!
"Be Still and Know".

Into the Light and my other books are available from my shop

RECORDING OF THE TALK:

Sanctuary Launch

During the summer of 2015 I had the pleasure to finally visit the Sanctuary in Dublin.

I had looked at it online for a few years, but am very rarely in Dublin...

It exceded all expectations.

It is beautiful.

It is tranquil.

A place of peace, amidts the busy city centre.

The garden is stunning.

The meditation rooms imaginative and peaceful.

I had the pleasure to be shown around by Johanne, meet the staff and Sr. Stan, founder of the Sanctuary. Stan is a woman who's vision I greatly admire and her writing speaks to my heart.

Some of the quotes from her books are in Into the Light.

It is with great pleasure that in a few days time I will be back at the Sanctuary,

for a celebration and launch of Into the Light.

Sr. Stan will introduce the book and I will give a little talk about

books, writing, illness, art, boxes, and solitude... 

and how everything all seems to link together.

I hope you can join us

All details for the launch see here