PAST RETREATS
Sustaining the Path: Planting Seeds of Liberation
2022 Virtual Mindfulness Retreat for Black, Indigenous and People of Color (BIPOC)
February 19-21, 2022
Download the PDF flyer here: 2022 BIPOC Retreat Flyer
The full online/offline schedule now available here!
For more information, contact baltimoremindfulnesscommunity@gmail.com
Overview: This virtual retreat is open to anyone who self-identifies as Black, Indigenous, or a person of color, whether new or more experienced in the practice of mindfulness and meditation. We will come together in a safe and joyful virtual environment to connect and build community, to stop, rest, look deeply, and listen to our bodies and minds — and to each other. Mindfulness helps us to embrace and take care of our difficulties and suffering in order to open the path of healing and
transformation: in ourselves and the injustices of our world.
Activities: Join us in co-creating a beloved community and safe space for BIPOC to practice and learn how to take deep care of ourselves, each other, and our communities through mindfulness practices, including walking meditation, sitting meditation, loving speech, deep listening, touching the earth, deep relaxation, quietude and reflection.
Schedule: Please note that this retreat is VIRTUAL.
Saturday – 10:30 AM – 1 PM EST and 3 – 5:30 PM EST, optional evening sit
Sunday – 10:30 AM – 1 PM EST and 3 – 5:30 PM EST, optional evening sit
Monday – 10:30 AM – 1 PM EST and 3 – 4:30 PM EST
Please plan to attend the retreat in its entirety to help us build a sacred container for our practice. We have a limited number of spots. Please help us reserve them for those who can attend the whole time.
Registration: In order to have a good sense of how many people will attend, we have adopted a two-step registration/RSVP process this year. First, register for the retreat at the link below by February 14. We will send a reminder email to all registrants on that day requesting confirmation of attendance. Please respond to this e-mail by 8 pm EST on February 16th with whether you can attend or not. This allows us to invite people from the waiting list if space permits. Once you’ve confirmed your attendance, you will receive the Zoom link for the retreat.
Register here by February 14: https://equityweb.net/bbmc-sustaining-the-path-retreat/
Cost: Due to generous dana received over the past year, we are able to offer this retreat at
no cost to participants.
Dana: Giving (dana) is one of the essential preliminary steps of Buddhist practice. We do this to
support our teachers on their path to continue to offer teachings to us and share their wisdom.
When practiced in itself, it is a basis of merit.
We recognize that not everyone can give money, but if you are in a position to give, please consider a donation.
A Special Request:
If you are in the space where you can contribute to the scholarship fund for our retreats, please click here to donate. Together, when we are all healed, we are stronger. Palms joined in recognizing the Buddha-nature in you.
For dana/donations for BIPOC mindfulness retreat 2022
2021 Virtual Mindfulness Retreat for Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC):
Deeper Healing for Ourselves, Our World
January 22-24, 2021
Overview: This virtual retreat is open to anyone who self-identifies as Black, Indigenous, or a person of color, whether new or more experienced in the practice of mindfulness and meditation. We will come together in a safe and joyful virtual environment to find fellowship, to stop, rest, look deeply, and listen to our bodies and minds — and to each other. Mindfulness helps us to embrace and take care of our difficulties and suffering in order to open the path of healing and transformation: in ourselves and the injustices of our world.
Activities: Join us in co-creating a beloved community and safe space for BIPOC to practice and learn how to take deep care of ourselves, each other, and our communities through mindfulness practices, including walking meditation, sitting meditation, loving speech, deep listening, touching the earth, deep relaxation, quietude and reflection.
Schedule: Please note that this retreat will mainly be VIRTUAL. Saturday and Sunday will include a morning (9:30 AM -noon EST) and afternoon (2-4:30 PM EST) Zoom session. We will offer optional online practices on Friday and Saturday evenings, and a suggested schedule for offline mindful practices throughout the weekend.
Cost: $100. Scholarship assistance is available to help with retreat cost. There is space to indicate your need for scholarship assistance on the registration page.
Registration: https://socialhealthconcepts.wufoo.com/forms/bbmc-retreat-registration-january-2021/
Registration deadline January 18, 2021.
PDF flyer: 2021 BIPOC Retreat Flyer
For more information, contact bbmcspace@gmail.com
Co-sponsors: Awakening through Race, Intersectionality, and Social Equity (ARISE) Sangha, Social Health Concepts & Practices
2020 Virtual Mindfulness Retreat for Social Activists: Deep Healing for Ourselves, Our World
Oct. 17-18, 2020
Overview: We come together in a safe and joyful virtual environment to find fellowship, to stop, rest, look deeply, and listen to our bodies and minds — and to each other. Mindfulness helps us to embrace and take care of our difficulties and suffering in order to open the path of healing and transformation: in ourselves and the injustices of our world.
Activities: Join us in co-creating a beloved community as we learn how to take deep care of ourselves, each other, and our communities through mindfulness practices, including walking meditation, sitting meditation, loving speech, deep listening, touching the earth, deep relaxation, quietude and reflection. This retreat is open for both new and experienced mindfulness practitioners.
Please note that this retreat will mainly be VIRTUAL. Each day will include a morning (9:30-noon EST) and afternoon (2-4:30 PM EST) Zoom session, an optional in-person socially distanced walking meditation in Baltimore for locals (5-6 pm EST), and a suggested schedule for offline mindful practice in between.
Cost: $100. Scholarships up to 50% of the retreat cost are available while funds last. There is space to indicate your need for scholarship assistance on the registration page.
Registration: CLOSED
Registration deadline: October 12, 2020.
Note: As usual in our activist spaces, we will strive to maintain a balance of Black, Indigneous, & People of Color (BIPOC) and non-BIPOC. This is not an attempt to hurt, but an attempt to create space of ease for all.
For more information, contact bbmcspace@gmail.com
PDF Flyer: 2020-bbmc-retreat-flyer
Co-sponsors: Awakening through Race, Intersectionality, and Social Equity (ARISE) Sangha, Social Health Concepts & Practices
Thursday February 20 – Sunday February 23, 2020
2020 Mindfulness Retreat for People of Color
Deep Healing for Ourselves, Our World
Overview: This retreat is open to anyone who self-identifies as a Person of Color, whether new or more experienced in the practice of mindfulness and meditation. Join us in creating a safe space for people of color to practice and learn mindfulness in everyday life. We will pause to stop running, to stop ‘doing’, to calm our minds and bodies and be at ease. A retreat is an opportunity to let go of our worry and anxiety about the past and the future, rest and begin to be present for what is happening in the present moment. Everyone can practice because everyone can breathe. We will focus on the relationship between body, breath and mind. Slowly, we will develop greater awareness of ourselves, and how we can bring peace and joy to ourselves, our relationships and our communities, by living a more wakeful life. Mindfulness helps us to take care of our difficulties and open to the path of deep healing and transformation.
Activities: Each day we will focus on cultivating compassion as well as resilience through mindfulness practices, including walking meditation, eating meditation, sitting meditation, loving speech, deep listening, touching the earth, deep relaxation, ceremonies and celebration, quietude, reflection and allowing ourselves to deeply rest. We will observe noble silence each evening after dinner concluding after breakfast. Vegan meals will be offered as part of the retreat.
Location: Residences at First and Franklin Church, 210 W. Madison St, Baltimore, MD 21201. This is a 3-night, 4-day residential retreat. Facilities consist of dormitory-style lodgings. Registrants are expected to participate fully Thursday through Sunday. As this is a residential retreat, please plan to stay overnight instead of commuting.
Registration Fee: $220 – $320. Cost is sliding scale and includes all meals and lodging. Please give at the highest level you can afford so others can attend.
*Due to limited space for this retreat, please plan to make a deposit of half of the retreat cost as soon as you receive an email notification from the retreat manager that your application has been reviewed and accepted. You will receive a link for submitting retreat payment. Your remaining balance of the retreat cost will be due January 20, 2020. Your first payment will reserve your space for this retreat. If you do not submit an initial payment, we may not be able to hold a space for you to participate. A waitlist option is available for those who complete the registration form.
Registration link is now closed. https://socialhealthconcepts.wufoo.com/forms/bbmc-people-of-color-retreat
BBMC Mindfulness Retreats since 2015
2019 Non-residential retreat for Social Activists
Friday, September 6, 5:30 pm – Sunday, September 8, 4:00 pm
Please note that this retreat will be NON-residential. Begins Friday 5:30 pm, ends Sunday 4 pm. Please plan to attend Friday through Sunday.
Overview: We come together in a safe and joyful environment to find fellowship, to stop, rest, look deeply, and listen to our bodies and minds — and to each other. Mindfulness helps us to embrace and take care of our difficulties and suffering in order to open the path of healing and transformation: in ourselves and the injustices of our world. During
these times of intense hatred, there is also intense change. How do we hold all this with understanding? How do we take care of ourselves so we can be solid and clear in our liberatory work inside and in the world. Join us.
Activities: Join us in co-creating a beloved community as we learn how to take deep care of ourselves, each other, and our communities through mindfulness practices, including walking meditation, eating meditation (meals will be vegetarian/vegan), sitting meditation, loving speech, deep listening, touching the earth, deep relaxation, ceremonies and celebration, quietude and reflection. This retreat is open for both new and experienced mindfulness practitioners.
Location: 814 N. Collington Ave. Baltimore, MD 21205
Cost: $100 – $175; Cost is sliding scale and includes all meals. Please give at the highest level you can afford so others can attend. Scholarship assistance is available.
Registration is closed. Retreat registration form
Deadline for registration is September 4, 2019.
Note: As usual in our activist spaces, we will strive to maintain a balance of POC and non-POC. This is not an attempt to hurt, but an attempt to create space of ease for all.
2019 Retreat for People of Color
Friday, Jan. 25, 5:30 pm – Sunday, Jan. 27, 4:00 pm
Overview: We come together in a safe and joyful environment to find fellowship, to stop, rest, look deeply, and listen to our bodies and minds — and to each other. Mindfulness is a practice that helps us to truly be awake to the wonders of life within us and around us. It also teaches us concrete ways to embrace and take care of our difficulties and suffering in order to open the path of healing and transformation: in ourselves and the injustices of our world. During these times of intense hatred, there is also intense change. How do we hold all this with understanding? Join us.
Activities: Join us in co-creating a beloved community as we learn how to take deep care of ourselves, each other, and our communities through mindfulness practices, including walking meditation, eating meditation, sitting meditation, loving speech, deep listening, touching the earth, deep relaxation, ceremonies and celebration, quietude and reflection. This retreat is open for both new and experienced mindfulness practitioners.
Please note that both Social Activists and the POC retreat will be residential. Begins Friday 5:30 pm; ends Sunday 4 pm.
Location: The Residences at First & Franklin, 210 West Madison Street, Baltimore MD. Cost: $175 – $275; Partial scholarships available
Registration is closed. Retreat registration form. (https://goo.gl/jvg4qp)
Deadline for registration is January 18, 2019.
Facilitators
Sister An Nghiem (Sister Peace) (People of Color Retreat) is a Buddhist nun who lives in Plum Village. She has dedicated her life to bringing the practice of mindfulness to people around the world -from educators and teenagers to artists and politicians. She is particularly interested in helping people understand the aspiration of Thich Nhat Hanh and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. to build the “Beloved Community.” Before becoming a nun, she lived in Washington, D.C. and worked for the Executive Office of the Mayor.
Valerie Brown, (All Activists Retreat) Afro-Cuban descent, was born and raised in Brooklyn, New York. She is an international retreat leader, writer, leadership coach, and Principal of Lead Smart Coaching, LLC, specializing in application and integration of mindfulness in daily life. She is an ordained Dharma teacher in the Plum Village tradition and a member of the Religious Society of Friends (Quakers). Her books include, The Mindful School Leader: Practices to Transform Your Leadership and School (Corwin, 2014). She leads an annual pilgrimage to El Camino de Santiago, Spain, to celebrate the power of place.
Marisela Gomez is a mindfulness practitioner (ordained in the tradition of Thich Nhat Hanh’s Order of Interbeing), public health scholar activist, and physician. Of Afro-Latina ancestry, she lives in Baltimore involved in social justice activism and community building/research. Author of Race, Class, Power and Organizing in East Baltimore, and numerous book chapters in popular and scholarly publications. She blogs at Huff Post and http://www.mariselabgomez.com/ on the intersection of wisdom justice and mindfulness. For a TedTalk on healing racism through waking up (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kSZEsPnhlXg)
See Retreat Flyer. For more information, please contact Rashid Hughes at rashid.hughes@gmail.com.
2018 Residential Mindfulness Retreats
This year, Blue Cliff Monastery’s annual PoC Retreat will take place in Baltimore, MD, and is co-hosted by BCM monastics and Baltimore & Beyond Mindfulness Community.
Cultivating Compassion and Resilience
This retreat is open to anyone who self-identifies as a Person of Color, whether new or more experienced in the practice of mindfulness and meditation. Join us in creating a safe space for people of color to practice and learn mindfulness in everyday life. We come together as a beloved community to learn key practices that bring well-being into the lives of ourselves, our families, and society. Mindfulness is a practice that helps us to be in touch with the wonders of life within and around us. Mindfulness helps us to take care of our difficulties and open to the path of healing and transformation.
During this retreat, we will focus on cultivating compassion as well as resilience by the mindfulness practices of walking/eating/sitting meditation, connecting with our ancestors, learning the skills of deep listening and loving speech, and allowing ourselves the chance to deeply rest.
Vegan meals will be offered as part of the retreat.
Two retreat options are available. Participants are asked to commit to attend the entire length of the retreat they’ve chosen:
- FIVE-DAY Retreat: Wed-Sun, May 2-6
- WEEKEND Retreat: Fri-Sun, May 4-6
Help us spread the word – please share the retreat flyer with those who may be interested.
See below for more details about the retreat program, scholarships, housing accommodations, ride-share, and TO REGISTER.
We look forward to practicing together!
Blue Cliff Monastery Upcoming Retreats and Events
BBMC Annual Residential Retreat:
Healing Ourselves, Healing Our World
For people of color: February 2-4, 2018
Sanctuary Retreat Center, 19520 Darnestown Road, Beallsville, MD 20839
Registration Closed. https://socialhealthconcepts.wufoo.com/forms/z19hrcog0nm44rm/
After registering using the link above, click on PayPal checkout or button below to complete your registration.
Overview: In this retreat, we will pause to stop running, to stop ‘doing’, to calm our minds and bodies and be at ease. A retreat is an opportunity to let go of our worry and anxiety about the past and the future, rest, and begin to be present for what is happening in the present moment. Everyone can practice because everyone can breathe. We will focus on the relationship between body, breath and mind. Slowly, we will develop greater awareness of ourselves, and how we can bring peace, joy and healing to ourselves, our relationships and our communities, by living a more wakeful life. Our retreats are suitable for both beginning and experienced mindfulness practitioners.
Activities: Each day includes sitting and walking meditation, gentle movement and awareness exercises, mindful eating and teachings. There is also free time for personal practice. We will observe noble
silence each evening after dinner concluding after breakfast. As this is a residential retreats, please plan to stay overnight instead of commuting.
Cost: Sliding scale: $250 – $300. The fee includes all vegetarian meals and accommodations. These are residential retreats. Please plan to stay overnight instead of commuting. Please give at the highest level you can afford so others can attend. Some scholarships are available – contact Marisela at socialhealthconcepts@gmail.com.
Travel: Carpooling facilitated. Email bbmcspace@gmail.com to request or offer a ride share.
Registration: https://socialhealthconcepts.wufoo.com/forms/z19hrcog0nm44rm/
Retreat Facilitators:
Kaira Jewel Lingo teaches Buddhist meditation, mindfulness, and compassion internationally, with a focus on activists, people of color, artists, educators, families, and youth. She began practicing mindfulness in 1997. An ordained nun of 15 years in Thich Nhat Hanh’s Order of Interbeing, she is now a lay Dharma teacher based in Washington, D.C., leading retreats in the U.S. and internationally, and offering mindfulness programs for educators and youth. Visit kairajewel.com for more information. And here (http://www.kairajewel.com/audio-talks/) for a dharma talk offered on a retreat she led for people of color in the UK.
Marisela Gomez is a mindfulness practitioner (ordained in the tradition of Thich Nhat Hanh’s Order of Interbeing), public health scholar activist, and physician. Of Afro-Latina ancestry, she lives in Baltimore involved in social justice activism and community building/health research. Author of Race, Class, Power and Organizing in East Baltimore, she has written numerous book chapters, popular and scholarly publications. She blogs at Huff Post (https://www.huffingtonpost.com/author/socialhealthconcepts-297) and mariselabgomez.com on the intersection of wisdom justice and mindfulness. For a TedTalk (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kSZEsPnhIXg) on healing racism through waking up.
2017 Residential Mindfulness Retreats
For All Activists
Sacred Justice: Where Spirit and Action Meet
Friday November 3, 5PM – Sunday November 5, 3PM
Sanctuary Retreat Center
19520 Darnestown Road, Beallsville, MD 20839
For People of Color
Healing Ourselves, Healing Our World
Friday, March 3, 9 am – Sunday, March 5, 3 pm
Trinitarians Retreat Center, 8400 Park Heights, Ave., Baltimore, MD
Registration closed.
Cost: Sliding scale: $250-$300. This includes meals and accommodations.
Please give at the highest level you can afford so others can attend.
Some scholarships are available – contact Marisela at email above.
Note: These are residential retreats. Please plan to stay overnight instead of commuting. Ride sharing is available; please indicate on the registration form your need for carpooling and/or your availability to drive others.
2016 Residential Mindfulness Retreats
For All Activists
Sacred Justice: Where Spirit and Action Meet
Saturday, Dec. 3, 9 am – Sunday, Dec. 4, 3 pm
Trinitarians Retreat Center, 8400 Park Heights, Ave., Baltimore, MD
2015 Residential Mindfulness Retreats
Below are photos and information about the retreat. Click on the photos to enlarge them. If you missed it this year, we hope to welcome you next year.
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- Kaira Jewel & Marisela climbing a very special tree.
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- POC retreat meal gathering.
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- Social Activists doing slow walking meditation.
August 7-10 2015 at Wellspring Conference Center, Germantown, Maryland
For People of Color
Returning to Our True Home: Nurturing Our Roots, Celebrating Our Wholeness
Friday, August 7, 9 am – Saturday, August 8, 5 pm
For All Activists
Sacred Justice: The Heart of Compassion for Ourselves and for Our World
Sunday, August 9, 9 am – Monday, August 10, 5 pm
More info: http://bmoreantiracist.org/events/partner-events/retreats/
Contact: Marisela Gomez at socialhealthconcepts@gmail.com
Cost: Sliding scale: for individual retreats: $100-$145; for both: $240 – $295. This includes meals and
accommodations. Please give at the highest level you can afford so others can attend.
Some scholarships are available – contact Marisela at socialhealthconcepts@gmail.com
Note: These are residential retreats. Please plan to stay overnight instead of commuting.