Project LOTUS

16G L1 | Building Inner Strength Retreat | Wendy Ridley - Foundation for Developing Compassion and Wisdom
2025-08-01 17:00 - 2025-08-03 14:30 UTC
16G L1 | Building Inner Strength Retreat | Wendy RidleyWe will explore embodied mindfulness and universal ethical values in this Level 1 of the 16 Guidelines for Life Program developed by the Foundation for Developing Compassion and Wisdom (FDCW). The program offers a simple yet profound framework for reflecting on how we think, act, relate to others, and find meaning. Through mindfulness, self-inquiry, and ethical reflection, we will gain tools to foster well-being, purpose, and inner strength.
What to Expect:
Over the weekend, we’ll engage in mindfulness practices including mindful walks in nature, interactive activities, and relaxed discussions. Drawing on positive psychology, neuroscience, social justice practices, and centuries-old Eastern philosophy, this retreat offers a holistic and ethical approach to personal and community transformation.
Who Should Attend?
This retreat welcomes participants of all ages and backgrounds who are seeking practical tools for meaningful change in their life, home, relationships, community or workplace. It will be of particular interest to: Change-makers and anyone working in education, healthcare, or helping fields; Yoga, mindfulness, and embodiment teachers; Coaches, mentors, and those working in corporate or organisational well-being.
What you’ll learn:
An ethical framework that inspires more purpose in life and deepens experience in mindfulness as an embodied practice.
Practical tools to build inner strength which will benefit relationships and embrace community
A fresh perspective on daily life, available choices and actions
Enhanced capacity for reflection, resulting in more well-being, emotional resilience and creative action

Sunday Morning Meditations for a more Peaceful Life Organized by Maitreya Institute - Foundation for Developing Compassion and Wisdom
2025-08-03 08:00 - 09:00, 2025-08-10 08:00 - 09:00, 2025-08-17 08:00 - 09:00, 2025-08-24 08:00 - 09:00, 2025-08-31 08:00 - 09:00, 2025-09-07 08:00 - 09:00, 2025-09-14 08:00 - 09:00, 2025-09-21 08:00 - 09:00 and 1 more date
Sunday Morning Meditations for a more Peaceful Life Organized by Maitreya Institute“Many people think excitement is happiness…. But when you are excited you are not peaceful. True happiness is based on peace.” ― Thich Nhat Hanh
About the Sessions
Join us on Sunday morning for an hour to pause, center, and restore to a happier and more peaceful mind to support you in being a bit more resilient in a world which does not always make sense anymore. These guided meditations are to help you calm your mind, explore your own nature and develop a more peaceful perception on life. When you are well with yourself, you will be more able to be well with others and the world.
These meditations are very practical, they are not within a religious context, so they are suitable for people of different beliefs, ages and abilities, for beginners as well as for those with more experience.
Registrations are not required.
What are the meditations based on?
They are based on a set of values and principles aimed at helping individuals cultivate a more peaceful and meaningful life. They are divided into four categories:
how we think (humility, patience, contentment and delight)
how we act (kindness, honesty, generosity and right speech)
how we relate to others (respect, forgiveness, gratitude and loyalty)
how we find meaning (aspiration, principles, service and courage).
These guidelines provide a framework for personal growth, encouraging individuals to think, act, relate, and find meaning in ways that foster a harmonious and fulfilling life.
How to Join
The sessions are offered online:
TIME: 10.00 – 11.00 am CE(S)T,
DATES: Sundays from 19th January – 4th May 2025
ONLINE: Join Zoom here – Passcode: [REDACTED]
The meditations are freely offered but if you would like to make to support Maitreya Institute, please make a donation using this link . The meditations will be recorded and made available to you to use them during the week. Please send us an email if you would like to join us to get access to the recordings.
Why meditate?
When you control your mind with wisdom you create the space you need to discover peace and joy. Your life then becomes peaceful and joyful and somewhat protected from the ups and downs of the external world. For beginner to advanced meditators.
Facilitator
Ven. Gönpo is an accredited FDCW facilitator and a Buddhist monk based in Australia. He discovered Buddhism as a child through martial arts movies and TV shows, this was the inspiration for the childhood dream of becoming a wandering kung fu monk. It was a few decades before part of that dream could be realized with many other life adventures distracting him from the spiritual path in his teens and twenties.
It wasn’t until he was in his thirties that Gönpo began to really understand the power of Buddhist teachings when he used them to navigate the emotional roller-coaster of life’s many experiences such as a marriage break down and raising children alone. Fortunately, due the kindness of his teachers and great good karma, after his children finished school, Gönpo was able to fulfil the long-held dream of becoming a monk, albeit without the kung fu. Ending a 20-year career as a high school teacher of languages, he become a wandering monk spending time studying and meditating in Europe, India and Nepal before returning to his hometown, Brisbane, to take up the role of Spiritual Care Practitioner at Karuna Hospice Services, giving care and support to people with life limiting illnesses and their families.
In his time as a school teacher, it was the feedback from students around mindfulness practices and life lessons that had the biggest impact on Gönpo, motivating him to become a 16 Guidelines for a Happy Life facilitator. In his sessions, Gönpo encourages discussion and deep engagement in the topics, challenging participants to examine their own ways of thinking. Through understanding how we are now, we are better equipped to develop the habits that will bring us closer to how we want to be, interacting with our own minds and the people around us in ways that will make us and the communities we live in, happier and healthier.
More info
For more information please visit the Maitreya Institute website

16G L1 | Building Inner Strength: An innovative Co-facilitated Online Course - Foundation for Developing Compassion and Wisdom
2025-08-07 17:00 - 2025-08-28 18:30, 2025-08-14 17:00 - 2025-09-04 18:30, 2025-08-21 17:00 - 2025-09-11 18:30, 2025-08-28 17:00 - 2025-09-18 18:30, 2025-09-04 17:00 - 2025-09-25 18:30, 2025-09-11 17:00 - 2025-10-02 18:30, 2025-09-18 17:00 - 2025-10-09 18:30, 2025-09-25 17:00 - 2025-10-16 18:30
16G L1 | Building Inner Strength: An innovative Co-facilitated Online CourseAre you ready to transform the way you think, act, relate, and create meaning in your life?
About the Course
The 16 Guidelines for Life – Level 1 is a dynamic and interactive course designed to help you cultivate inner wisdom, emotional resilience, and deeper connections with yourself and others. Based on ancient wisdom and modern science, the 16 Guidelines offer practical tools for personal growth, mindfulness, and ethical leadership—empowering you to bring more clarity, compassion, and purpose into your daily life.
Who Should Attend?
This course is perfect for anyone seeking personal growth, mindfulness practitioners, educators, coaches, leaders, and changemakers who want to bring positive transformation into their lives and communities.
What you’ll learn:
An ethical framework that inspires more purpose in life and deepens experience in mindfulness as an embodied practice.
Practical tools to build inner strength which will benefit relationships and embrace community
A fresh perspective on daily life, available choices and actions
Enhanced capacity for reflection, resulting in more well-being, emotional resilience and creative action
Schedule:
Four Thursdays in May 1, 8, 15, & 22, 2025
⏰ Time: 6:00 PM – 8:30 PM (UK Time)
Bookings
For more information and bookings, please email Kitty on: kitty_dcosta@hotmail.co.uk.
Concessions are available upon request, no one will be turned away due to lack of funds.
Facilitators
Claudia van Zuiden – An international speaker, coach, and trainer, Claudia is the CEO & Founder of Solution Ways and Co-Founder of Conscious World Agents. With over 30 years of experience in holistic leadership, personal development, and mindfulness education, she integrates neuroscience, ethics, and solution-focused approaches to help individuals and organizations thrive. She is accredited to facilitate Level 1, 2, and 16G for children and teens, as well as Unlocking Your Potential. Claudia is passionate about compassionate leadership, mindfulness, and empowering people to lead with purpose.
Kitty D’Costa – A dedicated 16 Guidelines Trainer with over 20 years of experience in mindfulness, meditation, and mental health support. Kitty has worked extensively in the field of substance misuse and mental well-being, bringing deep insights into self-awareness, emotional resilience, and personal transformation. Her facilitation style is warm, engaging, and deeply practical—helping participants integrate mindfulness into their daily lives.
Karl Grey – A qualified counsellor, engineer, and experienced 16 Guidelines facilitator. With a diverse background across multiple fields, Karl brings a unique and insightful approach to his work. His deep understanding of the 16 Guidelines allows him to integrate their principles effectively, offering valuable guidance and support in both personal and professional settings. Karl’s broad expertise and thoughtful approach empower others to navigate life’s challenges with clarity and purpose.
Gillian Watt – An experienced mindfulness practitioner, facilitator, and educator, Gillian has a background in community development, coaching, and personal growth. With a strong focus on creating positive change through mindful leadership, she helps individuals and teams build resilience, enhance well-being, and cultivate a deeper sense of meaning in their lives. Gillian is passionate about empowering others to unlock their potential through the 16 Guidelines framework.
