The essence of this Spring Bank holiday nature experience is Connection

To your self – To others – To your essential nature – To Your Ecological Self.

A Key focus of the retreat will be the discovery of our capacity to find and cultivate joy through all of these connections.

“As you let life live through you , you become more of who you really are “ Roger Keyes ( poet) From “ Greening of the Self” Joanna Macy

A large part of the experience will be conducted outdoors , exploring the awesome beauty of the surroundings to Land of Joy and deepening our connection with and love for nature

The outdoor work will be complemented by the “Joyworks” learning experience, a unique mix of simple ideas and practices that help us cultivate positive , calm and joyful mindsets to enable our capacities for connection at many levels.

Here are outline details

The course is a blend of presentation, discussion and practice (indoors and out) and will be both informative and informal.

We will learn simple practices that cultivate the capacity for a more peaceful mind, as well as helping liberate the innate potential for joy that resides in our hearts.

With this heart-mind connection we will increase our resilience and energy to help develop skilful and appropriate responses to the increasing challenges we face in this turbulent world.

•Through the cultivation of a strong responsive attitude, we can embrace the skills and practices of ‘Active Hope’, which will equip us with the power to act with wise intention, wise attention and compassionate agency (power to respond skilfully)

•A tried and tested methodology based on Joanna Macy’s “Work That Reconnects.”

Paul combines his Buddhist and secular mindfulness and compassion teaching with Eco-Dharma practices such as Joanna Macy’s ‘Work That Reconnects’.

He is a Buddhist practitioner and teacher of nearly 30 years, has a Masters in Action Inquiry and Sustainability from Bath University, MBSR teacher trained, Work that Reconnects trained (12 months Active Hope training with Chris Johnstone, co author of Active Hope, with Joanna), and studied Secular Dharma for two years at Bodhi College with Stephen Bachelor.

How working career involved mindfulness and sustainability based coaching and leadership development, on an international scale , working for organisations based in Europe, USA and Africa.

With many years experience in a wide range of situations he has become well known for his kind , gentle facilitation skills and renowned for his light touch and great sense of humour.

He lives in Somerset with his partner Ros a familiar face at Land of Joy and their unruly Persian cat, Oliver Twist

As we don’t receive any subsidies from other organisations we rely solely on the kind generosity of others. If you would like to make a donation to help us cover our considerable monthly costs (including via an online bank transfer or postal cheque), please choose the amount you would like to offer using the form below (or enter a custom amount), click ‘Donate’, then choose a payment method and provide all the details we require to process your donation. Your generosity will help us continue to offer beneficial services to yourself and others.

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.

Thank you and may you be happy.