Details:

Date: Friday 30th July – Sunday 1st August

Course Leader: Wendy Ridley

Requirements: Everyone is welcome

Cost: Generosity Model – Donation only (by clicking the ‘Donate Here’ button below). Land of Joy provides: All meals, accommodation, workshops, materials and good firewood for soulful nights.

Format: Onsite only / Retreat begins: 7pm on the 31st July / Retreat ends: with lunch on 1st August

Recommended arrival: 3pm – 5pm on the 31st July to join for supper and get settled into the space

Accommodation: Land of Joy wishes for everyone who visits the centre to feel welcome, accepted, safe and secure. Our accommodation options are very limited, with mostly single-sex shared accommodation and a very limited number of single rooms. Single accommodation can therefore only be offered on a priority basis. Please read the relevant sections of the booking form carefully.

About the Weekend

A Mindful Heart is a new course developed by the Foundation for Developing Compassion and Wisdom (FDCW) which explores how our thoughts, emotions and perceptions shape our experience. Through mindfulness, reflection and discussion, we’ll discover ways to loosen unhelpful patterns, develop healthy self-confidence and cultivate greater compassion for ourselves and others.

What Will Be Offered

A Mindful Heart is weekend designed to help participants understand the mind, transform patterns, and live with purpose. The course explores three core pathways of learning: Knowledge, Strength, and Compassion, guiding participants toward a happier, more meaningful life.

The weekend will cover the following topics:

  • The Pursuit of Happiness – what are we really looking for?
  • Perception and Reality – How does the way we see things shape our experience?
  • Emotions & Self-confidence – Understanding emotional patterns and development healthier ways to respond
  • Empathy & Compassion – Opening the heart while maintaining balance and resilience.
  • Mindfulness & Reflection – Developing awareness through meditation, embodiment and critical thinking.
  • Mindful Intention – Clarifying what matters and how we want to live
  • Interconnection – Exploring how our lives, choices and relationships after one another
  • Embracing Change – Developing greater ease and resilience in a changing world

Who is it For?

A Mindful Heart is for anyone curious about living with greater awareness, confidence and compassion — whether you’re new to mindfulness or already have experience.

Drawing on Buddhist wisdom, this retreat offers practical ways to understand the mind, transform unhelpful patterns, and relate to ourselves, others and the world with greater clarity, kindness and care.

You’ll have the opportunity to:

  • Understand your thoughts, emotions and habitual patterns more clearly.
  • Develop greater emotional resilience and healthy self-confidence.
  • Bring more compassion into your relationship with yourself and others.
  • Clarify what matters and how you want to live.
  • Deepen your mindfulness, embodiment and reflective practice.

Accessible practices will be combined with thoughtful exploration and discussion, creating space to learn at your own pace and in your own way. No previous experience of Buddhism or meditation retreats is required — just openness, curiosity and a willingness to explore.

Why Attend?

Is there anyone who doesn’t want to experience more spaciousness, contentment and joy? The message of the Buddha is that this is definitely possible, whatever practical difficulties we might be facing in our everyday life.

This retreat will offer the opportunity to:

  • Gain clearer understanding of your mind and habits
  • Build emotional strength and healthy self-confidence
  • Develop practical, lived compassion for yourself and others
  • Align your life more closely with what truly matters

About the Course Leader

Wendy has worked for many years in education – as a primary school teacher, university lecturer, Education Authority advisor, and an education consultant. Since attending her first meditation course in 1976 she has volunteered in six very different meditation centres. Wendy is a senior FDCW Faculty member teaching internationally all levels of FDCW’s programmes and is the FPMT Service Seminar Co-Ordinator. She is an FDCW board member, a trained yoga teacher, and has enjoyed many retreats.

A Way to Say Thank You

To Land of Joy…

Our generosity model means we do not charge for any teachings, accommodation or food. We are therefore 100% dependant on donations to help us cover our £90,000 a year running costs.

You are therefore invited to give what you can as a thank you for the organisation and hosting of the retreat, including the food and accommodation provided if you stayed onsite.

You may also like to make a regular contribution to the centre by becoming a Branch of Joy. This kind of support gifts us a steady and ongoing income, which in turn provides the confidence and means for us to continue to flourish for many years to come.

Everything given will ensure Land of Joy continues to be offered as a precious place for retreat.

To The Teacher…

Teachers and retreat leaders practice generosity by freely offering their time to Land of Joy. We cover their travel expenses but do not pay them for the teachings they give.

You are therefore invited to make an offering to the teacher as a thank you for the time and knowledge they share.

To The Volunteers…

Our retreats are supported by our wonderful team of volunteers, some of whom you will meet during your time at the centre. Those who live onsite offer their time, expertise and dedication in return for food and accommodation. They do not receive a wage or stipend. Unfortunately, we are only able to accept offerings for them in cash, so if you would like to thank them for their service, please do so by bringing cash with you to the centre and placing it in the volunteer collection pot.