Trauma can be described as an overwhelming negative experience that has overwhelmed us in circumstances where adequate support or resources were not available to us. It can be seen as a difficult experience from which we have never fully recovered, like a deep wound within the psyche that never completely heals and continues to have a negative impact on our lives.

Over the past few decades there has been a growing awareness that trauma can manifest in a variety of different ways, with corrosive effects on our psyche, our bodies, our relationships, and our communities, affecting our mental and physical wellbeing.

There is emerging research that mindfulness can benefit those with mental health difficulties, including trauma by engendering a sense of stability and calm.. However, there is also growing evidence that mindfulness and meditation practice can have adverse effects too. In such cases, mindfulness practice can indeed become much more challenging, and without a trauma-sensitive lens, it can actually perpetuate and intensify suffering.

The aim of this course is to increase awareness of trauma, by bringing together various perspectives in the understanding of trauma and its effects, and to explore how mindfulness practice can be a nourishing source of support on the journey of healing and self-discovery. The format of the course will be a mixture of mindfulness practice, experiential exercises, and interactive teaching.

Natasha is a senior psychotherapist, specialising in trauma, currently working for an NHS trauma service in London. Choden is a long time Buddhist monk and mindfulness teacher. Together they will explore how mindfulness, acceptance, and self-compassion in the context of trauma can promote healing and integration.

Please note that this course is aimed at those with existing practice of mindfulness and is therefore not appropriate for complete beginners.

Please note that the course is not a therapeutic intervention. Due to the nature of the topic covered in this course, please consider your current wellbeing and whether this is the right time for you to engage with this course. We would strongly encourage you to contact the tutors prior to booking if you are unsure or if you have concerns.

Tutors: Choden, Natasha Micharin and Jacky Seery

Dates- 4-6 July 2025

Price: £165.00 including manual

Times: 19.00-20.30pm on the Friday evening (after soup at 18.00pm) in-between 8.00am and 20.00pm on the Saturday and in-between 8.00am and 15.00pm on Sunday.

Booking: Please contact info@mindfulnessassociation.net

Location: Online via Zoom or at Samye Ling

If attending in person please book your accommodation and meals for the weekend directly with Samye Ling by emailing bookings@samyeling.org. They will need to know the dates that you would like to stay, what room you would like (please click here to see the room types and prices), your name, and the name of the second person if you are booking a twin room, your address, phone number and preferred email address for the booking. Spaces are limited so please book early to avoid disappointment. No room bookings can currently be made via the Samye Ling website.