Wellbeing at Céile Dé Teaching Retreats
On this page you will find our current health and wellbeing guidelines for our retreats.
In addition, here is a link to a more detailed article which you can find on our main website - 'Advice at the Threshold'.
The last years have taught us all a great deal about the many different ways in which we may choose to be mindful of our own health and wellbeing, and that of others.
In order to be respectful of this, and of all the variations in preference and need within our Céile Dé community , the Teinntean team (which organises our retreats on behalf of the caim and its teachers) are constantly reviewing our approach to supporting the wellbeing and comfort of all those who attend a teaching retreat.
In consultation with Sr Fionn, we have now arrived at clear guidelines which will be used for all gatherings in the UK and Europe from March 2024, until further notice.
We ask you to read these before you make your booking for a teaching retreat, especially if you are planning to attend a Céile Dé gathering for the first time.
Health and Wellbeing Guidelines
We are blessed to be part of a community which sees it as part of our spiritual practice ( 'walking our talk' ) to attend to the wellbeing of others as well as ourselves while we are on retreat together. We are also mindful of the wellbeing of the retreat venue's staff who take care of us.
We do have people in our community with health conditions that make them particularly vulnerable to viral infection of all kinds. So we would respectfully ask any participant to be mindful that there will be others attending the retreat who have health issues, and to make sure that you are in good health before you come to the retreat - or as far as that is possible for any of us to be sure!
The Communal Quaich and Incense
It is part of our daily Rùn (meditation) practice, to share a quaich of holy water with which we bless ourselves. A communal stick of incense is also used for blessing. These are both passed from hand to hand around the circle.
We are aware that there may be people attending the retreat who would not feel comfortable sharing water and incense during Rùn. We would like you to know that you have the option to use your own personal quaich and incense stick if you would prefer not to handle or bless yourself from the communal quaich and incense.
If you think this might apply to you then please remember to bring your own quaich or suitable small container, and also your own incense stick. There will always be additional quaichs available if you don’t have one or are unsure what to bring.
During Rùn - If you do not wish to use the communal quaich
As the communal quaich, or incense, is passed from the person on your right - gently place your hands over your heart and lean back slightly so that the quaich or incense can be passed directly in front of you to the person on your left. Nothing needs to be said. It will be understood.
You will then bless yourself with the water in your own quaich or use your own incense stick. The person on your left would wait until you have done this before blessing themselves ( though if they forget it wouldn't matter if two people bless themselves at the same time ).
Wearing a mask
Currently there is no specific officla guidance on this, so it is a matter of personal preference. If any member of our community feels they would be more comfortable wearing a mask at any time during the retreat then please know that everyone will respect this.
If you become unwell during the retreat
It would also be holding others' wellbeing in mind to consider how you would like to proceed if you should develop a cold or other symptoms during the retreat.
If you become unwell, this might be a time to consider not using the communal quaich or incense. We will bring some suitable alternatives for anyone in this position. You might also like to consider wearing a mask while in close proximity to your fellow caimeachs. Again, we will bring a small supply with us. You may also wish to bring hand sanitiser with you. We will provide some in the communal rooms.
If you become unwell during the retreat, please make this known to the named person/people at the retreat. We will provide mobile numbers for you to use during the retreat.
If you have any further questions about health and wellbeing at our retreats please email the Teinntean Team - [email protected]
In addition, here is a link to a more detailed article which you can find on our main website - 'Advice at the Threshold'.
The last years have taught us all a great deal about the many different ways in which we may choose to be mindful of our own health and wellbeing, and that of others.
In order to be respectful of this, and of all the variations in preference and need within our Céile Dé community , the Teinntean team (which organises our retreats on behalf of the caim and its teachers) are constantly reviewing our approach to supporting the wellbeing and comfort of all those who attend a teaching retreat.
In consultation with Sr Fionn, we have now arrived at clear guidelines which will be used for all gatherings in the UK and Europe from March 2024, until further notice.
We ask you to read these before you make your booking for a teaching retreat, especially if you are planning to attend a Céile Dé gathering for the first time.
Health and Wellbeing Guidelines
We are blessed to be part of a community which sees it as part of our spiritual practice ( 'walking our talk' ) to attend to the wellbeing of others as well as ourselves while we are on retreat together. We are also mindful of the wellbeing of the retreat venue's staff who take care of us.
We do have people in our community with health conditions that make them particularly vulnerable to viral infection of all kinds. So we would respectfully ask any participant to be mindful that there will be others attending the retreat who have health issues, and to make sure that you are in good health before you come to the retreat - or as far as that is possible for any of us to be sure!
The Communal Quaich and Incense
It is part of our daily Rùn (meditation) practice, to share a quaich of holy water with which we bless ourselves. A communal stick of incense is also used for blessing. These are both passed from hand to hand around the circle.
We are aware that there may be people attending the retreat who would not feel comfortable sharing water and incense during Rùn. We would like you to know that you have the option to use your own personal quaich and incense stick if you would prefer not to handle or bless yourself from the communal quaich and incense.
If you think this might apply to you then please remember to bring your own quaich or suitable small container, and also your own incense stick. There will always be additional quaichs available if you don’t have one or are unsure what to bring.
During Rùn - If you do not wish to use the communal quaich
As the communal quaich, or incense, is passed from the person on your right - gently place your hands over your heart and lean back slightly so that the quaich or incense can be passed directly in front of you to the person on your left. Nothing needs to be said. It will be understood.
You will then bless yourself with the water in your own quaich or use your own incense stick. The person on your left would wait until you have done this before blessing themselves ( though if they forget it wouldn't matter if two people bless themselves at the same time ).
Wearing a mask
Currently there is no specific officla guidance on this, so it is a matter of personal preference. If any member of our community feels they would be more comfortable wearing a mask at any time during the retreat then please know that everyone will respect this.
If you become unwell during the retreat
It would also be holding others' wellbeing in mind to consider how you would like to proceed if you should develop a cold or other symptoms during the retreat.
If you become unwell, this might be a time to consider not using the communal quaich or incense. We will bring some suitable alternatives for anyone in this position. You might also like to consider wearing a mask while in close proximity to your fellow caimeachs. Again, we will bring a small supply with us. You may also wish to bring hand sanitiser with you. We will provide some in the communal rooms.
If you become unwell during the retreat, please make this known to the named person/people at the retreat. We will provide mobile numbers for you to use during the retreat.
If you have any further questions about health and wellbeing at our retreats please email the Teinntean Team - [email protected]
