Letting Go of Hurt

Woman in a white dress standing in a sunlit winter field, arms outstretched, releasing sheets of paper into a bright blue sky

HOW TO STOP TAKING THINGS PERSONALLY

Saturday 7 November 2026, 10am–3.30pm

At Heruka Kadampa Meditation Centre, Golders Green

With Kadam John McBretney, Resident Teacher

“Since throughout my beginningless lives until now, the root of all my suffering has been my self-cherishing mind, I must expel it from my heart, cast it afar and cherish only other living beings.”
— Geshe Kelsang Gyatso, Request to The Lord of All Lineages

We often find ourselves feeling hurt, criticised, overlooked, or misunderstood. Even small interactions can stay in our mind for hours — or days — because we take them personally.

But why does this happen?

From a Buddhist perspective, taking things personally comes from a strong sense of “me” at the centre of our experience — a mind that constantly refers everything back to itself: “What does this mean about me?”, “Why did they treat me like this?”

This habit makes us vulnerable to emotional ups and downs and keeps us stuck in cycles of overthinking and reactivity.

In this course, you’ll learn how to step back from this pattern by understanding the role of self-cherishing and mistaken self-identification. As we begin to loosen this tight grip on “me,” we naturally experience more space, resilience, and freedom.

Instead of reacting automatically, we gain the ability to respond with clarity and confidence.

You will discover how to:

  • Recognise why we take things personally and how it creates suffering
  • Let go of overthinking and emotional reactivity
  • Stop replaying hurtful moments over and over
  • Develop a lighter, more spacious way of relating to life

About the teacher

Kadam John McBretney has been studying, practising and teaching meditation for over 30 years. Appointed Resident Teacher of Heruka Kadampa Meditation Centre by the renowned Buddhist master Geshe Kelsang Gyatso, he is known for his joyful and down-to-earth style, and for a rare ability to make even the deepest subjects feel clear and immediately useful, whether you are new to meditation or have been practising for years.

Schedule

  • Arrive and relax: 9.30–10am
  • Session 1: 10–11am
  • Tea break: 11–11.45am
  • Session 2: 11.45am–12.45pm
  • Vegetarian lunch: 12.45pm
  • Session 3: 2–3pm

Book now

£30.00

£6.00

 

Free for Silver members and above. Lunch £6 for all.

Available live-streamed on Zoom for members

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"When the turbulence of distracting thoughts subsides and our mind becomes still, a deep happiness and contentment naturally arises from within.” 

Geshe Kelsang Gyatso