From April 7 to 13, 2026, I had the opportunity to participate in a training course based on the Mindful Compassionate Education (MCE) approach in Castlebaldwin, Ireland. The course took place at the Brú Moytura Ecolodge, in County Sligo, an ecological structure immersed in nature: an ideal place where community living fostered reflection and connection among all of us participants.
In particular, the program focused on mindfulness and self-compassion and aimed to support youth work professionals in developing emotional resilience, reducing empathy fatigue, and strengthening overall well-being.
Erasmus+ Training Course on Mindfulness and Self-Compassion
One of the most significant aspects of the training for me was the work on body awareness. We were guided through breathing exercises, learning to pay attention to the flow of air moving through our body. This helped us slow down and reconnect with physical sensations that we often tend to ignore in everyday life.
Starting from this, we carried out a very intense activity: with our eyes closed, we had to approach another person in the group without being able to use sight. It was a particularly powerful experience. It made me understand how much we are able to perceive even without seeing and how deep the ability is to feel the presence, warmth, and energy of another person, without the need for physical contact.
Another activity that deeply struck me concerned the right to occupy space in the world and the strength needed to establish and enforce one’s own boundaries. Through this experience, I reflected on how important it is, not only in working with young people but also in everyday life, to recognize one’s limits and communicate them clearly. It was an important reminder: taking care of others should never mean always putting them first and neglecting one’s own well-being.
In general, thanks to the various experiential practices, I developed a deep sense of gratitude. I learned not to take the small moments of everyday life for granted: slowing down and enjoying, for example, breakfast and the sun on my skin (also because in Ireland the sun was not exactly a frequent guest); fully experiencing these moments with presence, using all the senses, is what during the training we called savoring. Even now, days later, I find myself during the day savoring the present moment in a spontaneous and automatic way.
All the meditation sessions we participated in were always followed by moments of reflection (inquiry), in which those who felt comfortable could share their meditative experience with the group. The trainers were ready to welcome any experience with great preparation, guiding participants to stay with their emotions, to listen to themselves, and to practice self-compassion.
The words of the trainers were always precise and essential, full of meaning, spoken with care, and even today they continue to resonate within me. As they said at the end of the training, these teachings are not simple pills with temporary benefits, but seeds: once planted within us, they continue to germinate and grow, until they become an integral part of our lives.
SOURCE: “Overcoming Empathy Fatigue in Child & Youth” Erasmus + Youth worker Mobility Training Course, Ireland, April 2026
