with Betsy Arizu and Brandy Kidd

Listen to Betsy Talk About Transforming the Inner Critic

Description

For many of us the inner critic is a constant companion, a voice that judges just about everything we say and do. The degree of its harshness varies. For some it loudly berates us for our shortcomings and demeans our sense of value as a human being.

The patterning of the inner critic arises in childhood basically to keep us safe and out of trouble, and is heavily influenced by the kind of parenting we received and our social and cultural conditioning. Over time, having incorporated unskillful and often unkind tactics to manage, correct and motivate us, the inner critic creates in us a limited and distorted sense of who we are.

Left unexamined and unchecked, the influence of the inner critic can lead to chronic anxiety, self-doubt, and depression, sabotage our relationships and spiritual practice, and thwart our creativity, well-being, and peace of mind. 

In this weekend retreat we will:

• Explore the inner critic and get to know the ways it operates within us, including its original positive intentions to protect us 
• Learn to cultivate a kind, wise, and discerning mind to allow for an open and spacious way of being and responding to the world within us and around us
• Explore ways to reparent and heal the inner protected or criticized child and invite the inner critic to let go of its outdated strategies and transform its role in our lives to one of support 

During the retreat, we will draw from the teachings of Buddhist psychology, as well as modern understandings of the inner critic, inner child, and parts therapies. We will use the powerful tools of meditation, mindfulness, and self-reflection, along with Dharma talks, experiential practices, and group discussion to gain insight and practice skills to take with us on our path of healing and transformation.

Registration Process
Retreat registration is a two-part process. First, please submit the general information requested on this application. Then, once you complete this application, your confirmation email will include a link to a Confidential Health Questionnaire (CHQ). Please note that the CHQ is required so that we can determine suitability for this retreat; your application to participate in this retreat will not be considered without it.

Retreat Logistics

The retreat will begin Friday evening, May 17 at 7 pm and end Sunday, May 19 at 4 pm. It will consist of a Friday evening session (7 pm to 9 pm), all-day Saturday (7 am to 9 pm), and a Sunday session (7 am to 4 pm). The retreat will be conducted entirely on Zoom.

In addition to the weekend sessions there are two optional, yet highly recommended events that are part of the retreat:

This retreat is open to both FCM members and non-members and is appropriate for anyone interested in learning more about how to transform their relationship with the inner critic. The fee for participation is $140.

Retreat Scholarships are available; please click here to see FCM’s Retreat Scholarship Policy and for an Application, which needs to be submitted prior to the registration. 

The retreat registrar will be sending additional information to registrants before the retreat, including daily schedules, Zoom instructions and suggestions to help prepare you for a meaningful retreat experience from your home. 

The last day to register for this retreat is May 12.

Retreat Leaders

Betsy Arizu became a member of the Florida Community of Mindfulness and a student of Fred Eppsteiner in 2011. She was ordained as a member of the Order of Interbeing in 2015 and has participated over the years in numerous retreats and intensives including a three-year intensive Dharma Transmission Program. Betsy’s background is in counseling, art, mindfulness in education, and organization development. As an FCM Dharma Instructor she currently gives talks and facilitates classes, Intensives and retreats for the Mindful Living and Dharma Paths for FCM, and assists with Wisdom Path programs led by Fred.  She also has taught mindfulness, meditation, and social and emotion learning skills in a program for youth at risk.

Brandy Kidd, LCSW became interested in mindfulness (and subsequently, Buddhism) in her early 20’s after encountering suffering both in her personal life and in her professional life as a clinical social worker. Over the past 30 years, she has done her level best to devote herself to the study and practice of Dharma throughout the comings and goings of life's stages — dating; marrying; raising children; building a career in clinical social work and managing a private practice for the past 22 years; and being present to a large extended family as members move through their various life stages. For the past 7 years or so, she has co-facilitated the Naples Sangha and takes much joy in doing so.  

Questions?

For more information, please contact Betsy at betsyarizu@gmail.com or Brandy at brandymkidd@gmail.com