Foundation Service Seminar (FSS)

Facilitated by Annelies van der Heijden and Wendy Ridley

The Foundation Service Seminar (FSS) is the “FPMT immersion retreat”. It will provide essential information and nourishment for those already offering service, and for anyone interested in offering service in the FPMT organization.

The FSS retreat explores how to effectively offer our skills and qualities in service. We will investigate the purpose and mission of the FPMT organization, what it means to be an FPMT center, project or service: and how that vision can translate into joyful action for individuals. Interactive, enriching, inspiring and supportive, the FSS addresses all aspects of service – who we serve, why we serve and HOW we serve.

Long-term students and volunteers who have participated in the FSS have felt re-energized by it. The FSS is an opportunity to experience Lama Yeshe’s “family feeling” and to nourish existing and prepare future directors, SPCs, board members, registered teachers, staff and volunteers. 

During this seminar you will explore: ways to develop your personal practice in the midst of service; your relationship to resources; communication skills; conflict resolution; teaching according to the level of the student; and methods to prevent burnout.  You will discuss service in terms of Guru devotion, karma, compassion, and emptiness, learning how to draw strength, inspiration, and guidance from these practices. You will learn how to use the Inner Job Description, a tool for developing what Lama Zopa Rinpoche said was the “inner professional” for integrating Dharma into our daily lives.

The FSS includes group discussion & activities, sharing of experiences, and is 'retreat-like', including daily meditations and group practice as advised by Lama Zopa Rinpoche. The FSS lays the foundation for any other FPMT service seminar and the FSS certificate is given only to those who participate in every session of the seminar.  

We encourage directors, SPCs, board members, registered teachers, introductory class leaders, center managers, and anyone offering service now, or considering offering service, within the FPMT organization to attend this FSS. 

For more information on Foundation Service Seminars, visit FPMT Service Seminars.

Cost: 

To help cover Maitreya Instituut expenses, we invite a donation from €255 on up. This donation includes the facility fee, all meals, accommodation in shared double rooms and the FSS materials.

A follow up course with Geshe Sonam Ngodup is scheduled August 22 - 25. 

About the facilitators:

Wendy Ridley has a background in the education sector. She has many years of offering service, having volunteered at five different FPMT centers, including serving as the director of Jamyang Buddhist Centre Leeds for over seven years. She is a registered FPMT teacher; a senior FDCW facilitator and Board member; and a senior FSS facilitator. 

Annelies van der Heijden has a background as a dietician, shiatsu therapist and yoga teacher. She has many years of offering service at Maitreya Institute and in the FPMT organization since 1997. She is a registered FPMT teacher, facilitating DB and other program activities and a qualified mindfulness trainer. Like Wendy, Annelies is a senior FSS facilitator and currently FPMT’s Service Seminar Coordinator.