In this daylong silent retreat, we will cultivate the intention and capacity for being present, aware and attuned to life as it is continually unfolding. You will be invited to give yourself time, space, and curiosity about the practice of sustained silence. A commitment to welcome all of who you are, while holding to a high standard of formal practice, will create the container for group practice. Together, we’ll explore the experience of participating in a guided silent retreat.

The day will conclude with time to reflect on the potential for further time in sustained practice, and to speak together about the value and challenges of time on retreat. Designed for graduates of the MBSR or MBCT course (or for those who have an established formal mindfulness practice), this silent retreat is for anyone who is wondering about the role of extended retreat time in their overall mindfulness practice.

Slowing down and turning toward ourselves with kindness isn’t easy: we live in a world where being overextended and ignoring or downplaying our own pain and stress can seem normal, maybe even admirable. The Kindness Retreat is an opportunity to pause and offer your precious mind, wise body, and tender heart what is most helpful and kind—and to support others who want to do the same. Separated by time zones, we will come together in a timeless zone—a virtual heart space in which this weekend retreat will unfold.

Designed for graduates of the MBSR, MBCT or Mindful Self-Compassion (MSC) courses (or for those who have an established formal mindfulness practice), this silent online retreat is for anyone who wants to step away from their usual goings-on to see more clearly what is actually called for. From there, you will be invited to give to yourself whatever that may be, and to hold the space for others to extend care and kindness to themselves. A commitment to nurture all of who you are, while holding to a high standard of practice, will form the container for group practice.

Note: Participating in this retreat satisfies the requirement of attending a 3-day, silent, teacher-led retreat before entering the East Coast Mindfulness MBSR Teacher Training Pathway.

Research on mindfulness has exploded over the past two decades, making it extremely difficult to stay abreast of the latest discoveries in this burgeoning field of science. In this workshop, Dr. Eric Garland, one of the world’s leading authorities on the science of mindfulness and the world’s most prolific author of research papers on mindfulness, will help sift through the data to distill what has been learned about the impact of mindfulness on the brain, body, and behavior – with a specific focus on mindfulness as a treatment for clinical conditions including addiction, affective dysregulation, and chronic pain. To that end, Dr. Garland will detail biobehavioral findings from the past 10 years of his own clinical research on Mindfulness-Oriented Recovery Enhancement as a treatment for opioid misuse and addiction.

In addition to reviewing key discoveries in the neuroscience and clinical science of mindfulness, Dr. Garland will present several prominent theoretical frameworks to help explain how mindfulness enhances cognitive function, amplifies psychological well-being, and promotes the sense of meaning in life.

Finally, Dr. Garland will address the concepts of self-transcendence and nondual awareness as the final common pathway of mindfulness-based interventions.

Couldn't make it to the live event? No problem. Register anyway, and we’ll send you the recording to access afterwards for 4 weeks.

Join us for this gentle introduction to mindfulness for accessing the deep wisdom, well-being, and wholeness that reside within each of us. The course consists of 3 classes and covers 3 meditation practices: sitting, walking, and body scanning.

Benefits of practicing mindfulness can range from the physical, such as reduction in pain levels and/or an enhanced ability to cope with chronic pain, to the emotional, such as increased confidence and joy.

A body scan audio is provided to each participant for continued practice beyond the course.

In this workshop, Caryn will lead three 90-minute classes in body movement inquiry, a chance to explore how the instinctive body lives in the “where,” in contrast to the “what” and “when” of thought and psychological time.

Movement begins in sensory perception, to how orienting to weight/ground and space underlies sensory perception. Weight, ground and space are elements our bodies depend on to function and elements with which we learn to consciously participate in our lives. As we learn to attend to these elements, what is true in this moment can reveal itself.

This workshop will offer the opportunity to move in nourishing and inspiring ways that are available to everyone.

Note: this is a FREE offering; there is no fee for attending this retreat.

As part of our regular MBSR and MBCT seasons, we offer the 7.5 hour Retreat Class between Week 6 and Week 7. This retreat is an integral part of the standard MBSR curriculum. Many MBSR students find this to be a powerful day of practice, discovery and development together.

Graduates of past MBSR and MBCT 8-week programs are always welcome to join the Retreat Class, to support the current students and to strengthen their own practice over time. Whether you’re an East Coast Mindfulness graduate, or graduated through another organization, you’re welcome to join us!

For mindfulness practitioners who have experience with group retreats, it can be valuable, powerful and challenging to undertake the practice of self-directed silence. Extended silent practice can provide a level of direct knowing, and seeing clearly, beyond spoken guidance and teacher messaging that may have been very helpful in earlier retreats. In this online retreat, we will dedicate time and space for silent practice together as a group, while each committing to independence of practice for ourselves. Teachers will be present and available prior to and throughout the retreat, for guidance and support.

The Dedication Retreat is open to mindfulness practitioners, students and teachers who have completed at least one previous multi-day silent retreat with a group.

Note: Participating in this 5-day retreat satisfies the requirement of attending a minimum 3-day, silent, teacher-led retreat before entering the East Coast Mindfulness MBSR Teacher Training Pathway OR attending a 5-day silent, teacher-led retreat prior to engaging in Mentorship Cycle Three.

The martial art Aikido is a lively option for bringing an embodied awareness to conflict and communication, in our mindfulness practice and with our day-to-day interactions. In this workshop, you will learn principles and techniques from Aikido to help you maintain presence under pressure, transform conflict, and communicate with purpose. You’ll gain an understanding of Aikido principles and learn simple techniques to increase awareness of habitual reactions to conflict, communicate more clearly, and strengthen relationships.

Important logistics:
In the comfort of your own space, you will engage both body and mind using kinesthetic activities from Aikido ("The Way of Harmony"). You are free to invite a partner you are comfortable practicing with to join you in your space; this person would serve as class participant and practice partner for 2 short periods during the training. Equally, you may choose to participate solo. Either way it will be helpful to wear comfortable clothes and to choose a physical space that allows you to move freely in front of your camera—approximately the size of two or three yoga mats.

Note: this is a FREE offering; there is no fee for attending this weekly gathering.

We gladly offer this weekly opportunity for our community to gather, be together, learn, share and support one another.

Often led by Rebecca or Margaret, and occasional guest teachers who bring their unique voices to what it means to practice.