Compassion weekend 2 - feedback on hybrid weekend by Graeme Nixon https://padlet.com/graemenix/nqkynyjo7ebkrkpd Please comment in the online or Samye Ling columns en-us 2022-03-18 18:40:42 UTC 2025-12-08 12:50:16 UTC hello@padlet.com Samye Ling graemenix https://padlet.com/graemenix/nqkynyjo7ebkrkpd/wish/2102400117 Pluses, Minuses and Interestings on the hybrid experience in person

21/3/22
I really enjoyed attending Samye Ling for my first retreat. I found it to be a very immersive experience. The hybrid experience I felt worked well. The feeling of oneness from being in the room was great and I didn't feel separate from those online.  Having the projector for the online participants was very good. 
Loved it. Thank you to everyone at Samye Ling for taking very good care of us. It was fantastic to meet everyone in person. 
Tracey Ann

21/03/22
This was my first experience of Samye Ling and also first experience of a weekend retreat - in person.  It was great that those unable to be in person could still be 'in-person' with the use of technology and  that we were all able to be together and share throughout the weekend. From reading some of the online comments so far, I'm really pleased to read that those on line felt included too.  One of the plusses for me was being able to spend time connecting with others in between sessions.  I felt that some of the discussions after practices were easier/deeper in-person, and I wonder if I would have been able to share to the same level in an online break-out room.  I thoroughly enjoyed the experience and although there were a few technology stops and starts, I think the hybrid worked well to keep us all as 'one'.  Everyone at Samye Ling was so welcoming and kind.  A great weekend.  And - I got to see my first ever shooting star! Thanks, 
Karen M.

I really enjoyed meeting everyone in person, and found myself much more engaged than I am at home, especially as the day goes on. I also benefited hugely from the social space out with class time to connect and hear how others are managing the course alongside life!  My only suggestion would be when it comes to reflecting and sharing our experience of practices, it might be nicer if both online and in person were encouraged to speak as it felt a little unbalanced when the in person have no option but to speak, and the online group had the choice to speak or type their feedback. 
Choden, if you see this, can you pass on my thanks to the team at Samye Ling for looking after us so well after two years of being closed! 

I really appreciated the opportunity of joining the weekend in person. I too felt more engaged than when I'm at home. I found a real difference when meditating together as a group.  Also I engaged more in the various activities and felt confident in sharing experiences etc. in the various groups compared with chat rooms. For me the communication that arose was more natural and perhaps the discussions a little deeper.
There was a good mix of on-line and in person sessions from the tutors - although I couldn't see/read some of the PowerPoint information in Colette's lecture. And, for me it did feel like we were all one group - I think this was managed very well by everyone involved. 
Thank you to all the tutors/organisers
Barbara

Loved the weekend, found it very beneficial to be in a group, for practice, learning and just good to hang out. Nothing to add other than hope to meet and get to know those who were online. And thank you! Tom x

I really enjoyed meeting some of my fellow students and the discussions between sessions were very meaningful. We were well catered for at Samye Ling although I did wonder why a secular-based course needed to be held in a Buddhist monastery.
Whilst the hybrid scenario generally worked well, I think improvements could be considered in terms of the presentation. Some of the powerpoints could not be read and, being a very visual learner, I struggled with those sessions that were purely auditory, for instance, when the poems were read. It would be nice to have access, real-time, to some visual information.
Also whilst acknowledging the need to achieve the necessary hours of teaching, I did feel Saturday was intensive in terms of number of sessions and wonder if this could be adapted. For instance, Collette's presentation done as an online seminar, freeing up time for discussion or contemplation.
Overall a worthwhile weekend, thank you.
Tracey]]> 2022-03-18 18:42:12 UTC https://padlet.com/graemenix/nqkynyjo7ebkrkpd/wish/2102400117 Online graemenix https://padlet.com/graemenix/nqkynyjo7ebkrkpd/wish/2102400346 Pluses, Minuses and Interestings on the hybrid experience online

20-03-2022
I loved this weekend and overall the hybrid experience was great. So far I just love the whole program, so only plusses for me. 
R. Bochem

21/03/2022
The weekend was great, you managed to make the online attendees feel very included. The audio issues didn't have a big impact, and I'm sure you'll be able to iron out the wrinkles as you transition to the hybrid approach. Great job, as always. 
Gareth


23/3/22
The practice weekend was lovely. The small technical glitches did not have a negative impact on me, instead it made me feel very included and cared for because of the efforts put in by the tutors.

I wonder if there could be a small (5 minutes or so) online greeting session just before kicking off the weekend so there’s a sense of connection even with the ones attending in person—just by being able to see and acknowledge each other. Although the camera was pointing at the participants in Samye Ling, my mind was frequently trying to figure out who’s who. 

Thank you to everyone for the wonderful experience.
Udita
]]> 2022-03-18 18:42:26 UTC https://padlet.com/graemenix/nqkynyjo7ebkrkpd/wish/2102400346 Online https://padlet.com/graemenix/nqkynyjo7ebkrkpd/wish/2104964473 I really loved the weekend. I wonder if in another hybrid model, those in person and those online can join groups by using the laptops to give a wider sharing experience ?

Thank you for a lovely experience and to Faye who led online superbly. 

Maggie 

As always, the weekend was very enjoyable and thought-provoking.  I felt the hybrid experience was facilitated and managed well even with the issues with the speaker at Samye Ling!  Those kind of tech issues will no doubt be ironed-out at the next hybrid experience.  Thanks to Fay for staying at home online to facilitate the Zoom experience.  Whilst I couldn't be at Same Ling in person, I got a sense of how it was for the participants practicing together, and look forward to the experience of the retreat in May, hopefully in-person.  Thanks to all involved.

Best wishes, Angie.  ]]> 2022-03-21 10:01:31 UTC https://padlet.com/graemenix/nqkynyjo7ebkrkpd/wish/2104964473