Many religions and wisdom traditions regard forgiveness as an important path to greater harmony with ourselves and with the world around us. Contemporary research also shows that a willingness to forgive can support health, well-being and inner balance. However, forgiveness is also a process that is not always easy. Joyce Cordus and Frits Koster have developed the Mindfulness-Based Training in Forgiveness (MBTF) to support people in this process.
The MBTF is aimed at individuals with at least one year’s experience of mindfulness practice (MBSR, MBCT or another regular practice).
During this online retreat, we will explore various forms of forgiveness, such as forgiving ourselves, asking for forgiveness and forgiving others. We will do this on an individual level, in relation to groups and communities and specific themes and difficulties related to the culture we live in. We will also discuss dilemmas and challenges in practice and explore how we can relate to them compassionately.
The MBTF has an open and non-religious character. While it draws inspiration from various traditions, the training is suitable for people of all backgrounds. The training can support a life with more peace, harmony, and connectedness – in relation to ourselves and the world around us.
Click here for more information.
Quote from previous course participant:
“I experienced a great sense of connectedness, and I was pleasantly surprised to realise how enriching and nourishing new perspectives can be, and how practising forgiveness has had a positive impact on my life and work since the course.”
More details
We will examine forgiveness in different ways:
- In theory: We will explain the various forms of forgiveness, reconciliation and other possible approaches. Forgivingness is linked to findings from neuroscience and positive psychology.
- In practice: We will offer guided mindfulness-based meditation exercises and explore themes through interpersonal mindfulness practice in pairs and threes in breakout rooms and in plenary.
- Participants who (sometimes) prefer not to participate in these interpersonal dialogues can reflect on their experiences in writing.
- At the end of the course, we will talk about how we can develop forgiveness and integrate it into our daily lives.
Who is this for?
The MBTF is appropriate if you have been practicing mindfulness for at least a year and would like to deepen your practice and/or explore ways to cultivate compassionate forgiveness towards yourself and/or to others.
If you are not sure whether the online course is suitable for you at this time, please contact Frits Koster (info@fritskoster.nl) or Joyce Cordus by email (joycecordus@gmail.com). They will be happy to support your considerations.
Date & Time:
Saturday 25th April & Sunday 26th April 2026
Morning Session: 9:30 am – 12:30 pm UK | 4:30 am – 7:30 am ET
Afternoon Session: 2:00 pm – 5:00 pm UK | 9:00 am – 12:00 pm ET
Convert to your local time (start time)
Cost:
$150 (3-month payment plans are available).
We strive to make our training accessible. A limited number of needs-based scholarships (for 50% or 100% of the cost) are available for those facing financial barriers. To inquire, please email info@globalcompassioncoalition.org.
If you are in a position to pay the full rate, your contribution helps us fund these scholarship places and ensures this training remains accessible to all.
Your tutors
Joyce Cordus graduated from the University of Amsterdam in 1984 with a degree in education. Since then, she has worked in the field of vocational education, among other things. In 2011, she completed her training as a mindfulness trainer and started teaching mindfulness courses for students of social work and creative therapy as well as for primary and secondary school teachers. At the beginning of 2021, she completed the MBCL teacher training with Frits Koster and Erik van den Brink and has been leading meditations on the Dutch online meditation platform 30NOW for several years. Joyce lives with her husband in the west of the Netherlands.
Website: www.joycecordus.nl
Frits Koster has been practicing Vipassana meditation since 1979 and spent five years as a monk in monasteries in Southeast Asia, where he meditated and studied Buddhist psychology. He leads meditation retreats in the Netherlands and abroad, works as a mindfulness and compassion teacher and trainer in the psychiatric field and teaches internationally at various mindfulness institutes. Together with Erik van den Brink, he developed the Mindfulness-Based Compassionate Living (MBCL) training. Together they have written two books on MBCL, which have been translated into various languages. Website: www.fritskoster.com.
