Training in the Contemplative-based Approach to End-of-Life Care
Tuesday 13 October, 3pm to Sunday 18 October,1pm 2026

Skills training in the contemplative-based approach to end-of-life care for health and social care professionals, spiritual care providers, doulas and volunteers.

• How can I prevent becoming overwhelmed by the loss I witness?

• How do I stay present without losing my own sense of well-being?

• How do I speak about death and address deeper fears and concerns with patients and families?

Presence, compassion and skilled expertise are critical in offering comfort and support for dying patients. Authentic Presence Immersion is an experiential training in contemplative-based end-of-life care. The training offers participants the space and the opportunity to strengthen their inner balance and enhance their skills and knowledge serving the dying. It explores the deeper dimension of living, dying, caregiving and spiritual care by bringing together the practical knowledge of today’s palliative care environments with the contemplative methods of mindfulness, compassion and awareness.

Led by a team of experienced health and social care professionals, spiritual providers and meditation teachers from Ireland and Europe.

Authentic Presence Immersion employs a variety of learning modalities, including individual, group and interactive work, as well as presentations.

Through learning how to apply and integrate contemplative tools and resources, participants will learn to:

• Cultivate greater mindful awareness and manage their responses

• Practice self-compassion in the day-to-day encounters with experiences of suffering and mortality and sustain compassionate intention

• Enhance their competencies and skills and increase trust and confidence in their own inner wisdom

• Embody authentic presence

Participants will learn how to facilitate a dying person’s process towards:

• Understanding and transforming suffering

• Experiencing a genuine connection with others and healing relationships

• Finding meaning in life, illness, and dying

• Finding a source of comfort or peace

Topics

Contemplative Practice & Contemplative Care

• Introduction to the contemplative care model of authentic presence

• Practising self-care and self-compassion during challenging times: contemplative resources for building resilience and connecting with our sources of joy,

• Spirituality and purpose

• Sustaining a compassionate attitude and cultivating authentic presence in therapeutic relationships

• Dealing with the realities of suffering, grief and mortality

• Creating a peaceful environment in different settings

• Caregiving as a spiritual and contemplative practice

Training in Contemplative Listening and Communication

• Extensive training in the model of ‘Contemplative Listening and Communication’ and its practical applications working with patients, families and staff

• ‘Council’ – a listening model for family and bereavement support and team meetings

Assessing and responding to the needs of the dying 

• Identifying and addressing practical, psycho-social and spiritual needs

• Managing complex care situations

• Healing relationships and methods for resolving unfinished business

• Addressing the deeper dimensions of the dying process

• Recognizing and addressing spiritual pain

• Supporting patients and families to prepare for death and saying good-bye

Bereavement

• Understanding the process of bereavement and the spiritual dimension of bereavement