All religions and wisdom traditions view forgiveness as a path to greater harmony with ourselves and with the world around us. But forgiving is also a process that is not always easy. That is why Joyce Cordus and Frits Koster have developed the Mindfulness-Based Training in Forgiveness (MBTF) to support people in this process.
The MBTF is aimed at people who have been familiar with the practice of mindfulness for at least one year (MBSR, MBCT or another regular mindfulness practice).
In this online retreat, we will explore different forms of forgiveness. Dilemmas and challenges in practice will also be discussed and we will explore how we can and may relate to them compassionately.
The MBTF has an open, non-religious character and can contribute to a life with more peace and harmony – in relation to ourselves and the world around us.
Quote from previous course participant:
“I was able to experience a lot of connectedness and was pleasantly surprised to realize how enriching and nourishing new perspectives can be and how the effects of practicing forgiveness work in my life after the course.”
Further information: www.traininginforgiveness.com
More details
We will examine forgiveness in different ways:
- Theoretical: by explaining the various forms of reconciliation and possible other approaches. The willingness to forgive is linked to findings from neuroscience and positive psychology.
- Practical: we’ll practice guided mindfulness-based meditation exercises and explore themes through interpersonal mindfulness in pairs and threes in breakout rooms and in plenary.
- Participants who (sometimes) prefer not to participate in these interpersonal dialogues can reflect on their experiences in a written form.
- There will also be time for mindful walks or walking meditations.
- Part of the weekend will take place in a retreat atmosphere.
- At the end of the retreat, we will talk about how we can develop our willingness to forgive and integrate it into our daily lives.
Date & Time:
Saturday 12th April 2025: 13.30-16.30 UK and 18.00-21.00 UK
Convert to your local time (start time)
Sunday 13th April 2025: 13.30-16.30 UK and 18.00-21.00 UK
Convert to your local time (start time)
Who is this for?
The forgiveness retreat is appropriate if you have been practicing mindfulness for at least a year and would like to deepen your practice and/or explore ways to cultivate compassionate forgiveness toward yourself and/or to others. If you are not sure whether the weekend is suitable for you at this time, please contact Frits Koster or Joyce Cordus by e-mail. They will be happy to help you with your considerations.
Research Project
We have developed a questionnaire in collaboration with an experienced Dutch researcher. We would be very grateful if participants would help us with our research by completing the questionnaire before and after the course. We will send out the link to the questionnaire a few days before the course starts and again immediately after the course. You will need 15-20 minutes each time to complete the questionnaire. We hope you will participate in the study!
Your tutors
Joyce Cordus graduated from the University of Amsterdam in 1984 with a degree in education. Since then, she has worked in the field of vocational education, among other things. In 2011, she completed her training as a mindfulness trainer and started teaching mindfulness courses for students of social work and creative therapy as well as for primary and secondary school teachers. At the beginning of 2021, she completed the MBCL teacher training with Frits Koster and Erik van den Brink and has been leading meditations on the Dutch online meditation platform 30NOW for several years. Joyce lives with her husband in the west of the Netherlands.
Website: www.joycecordus.nl
Frits Koster has been practicing Vipassana meditation since 1979 and spent five years as a monk in monasteries in Southeast Asia, where he meditated and studied Buddhist psychology. He leads meditation retreats in the Netherlands and abroad, works as a mindfulness and compassion teacher and trainer in the psychiatric field and teaches at various mindfulness institutes in Europe. Together with Erik van den Brink, he developed the Mindfulness-Based Compassionate Living (MBCL) training. Together they have written two books on MBCL, which have been translated into various languages. Frits lives with his wife in the north of the Netherlands.
Website: www.fritskoster.com