Mindfulness Programs

Mindfulness Based-Stress Reduction (MBSR) is based on ancient contemplative practices integrated with western medical approaches by Jon Kabat-Zinn in 1979. MBSR is an 8-week program of systematic training in mindfulness meditation employing both formal and informal practices. The experiential program harnesses inner resources and cultivates resilience.

MBSR has been researched over 40 years and consistently delivers positive outcomes associated with increased self-awareness and emotional and attentional regulation. In addition, outcomes have included reductions in symptoms for various physical and behavioral health conditions such as anxiety, depression, stress, chronic pain, and hypertension. 

In collaboration with the Mindfulness Center at Brown, the research of MBSR continues with our programs under the advisement of Eric Loucks, PhD, Director of the Mindfulness Center at Brown.

Join us to explore how mindfulness may support you in living life more fully, with greater ease and joy.

Our retreats are open to everyone interested in exploring mindfulness practice through dedicated times of silence and simplicity. 

Retreats are held either live-online or in-person, and each format offers its own unique possibilities for practice.

Many of MHI’s retreats fulfill one of the requirements for training to be a Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) teacher through Brown University’s School of Professional Studies, and at other mindfulness-based teacher training organizations, are noted as such.

When a silent retreat is held live-online, it offers some particular opportunities and challenges. Please read the guidance below carefully and reach out to the retreat teachers of this program if you have questions or concerns about your participation.

Preparation for the Retreat

• Refraining from communicating with others as best you can during the retreat supports a gentle collecting of attention that is a key aspect of retreat practice. 
• If you live with others, talk with them well before the retreat starts about your intention to sustain silence during the retreat. Negotiate an arrangement with your housemates that allows you to remain silent as much as possible.
• To the fullest extent possible, find a quiet, comfortable space from which to participate in the retreat. This may be just one room if you are living with others, or if you live alone your entire home may act as your retreat center. 
• Put an autoresponder on your email accounts and plan to only use your computer for connecting with the retreat, not for outside communications. Let loved ones who do not live with you know in advance that you will be off-line during the retreat.
• To support your practice, there will be opportunities during the retreat to connect with the teachers and discuss what’s arising in your practice. If you need to connect with a teacher before your scheduled meeting time, you can use the chat function in the retreat meeting to reach out for that purpose.
• Simplicity is another element of retreat that supports deepening mindfulness. 
• Before the retreat starts, set up your meditation and yoga props in a way that supports a contemplative, reflective orientation. 
• Plan your meals for the duration of the retreat ahead of time, so that you eliminate or limit trips out for shopping
• Turn off any devices you do not need during the retreat and shut down any programs that are likely to distract you from the retreat. 
• Consider in advance where you will practice walking meditation. Is there an outdoor space for walking that will allow you to remain quiet? If yes, being in nature can be supportive. 
• Consider unplugging your TV, if you have one, to remind yourself of the intention to stay with the simplicity of the basics of human experience, like sitting, walking, breathing and eating.

MBCT (Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy) combines training in mindfulness meditation practices with principles from cognitive therapy. The heart of this work lies in becoming acquainted with the modes of mind that often characterize and contribute to mood states while simultaneously learning to develop a new relationship to them. Cultivating mindfulness offers possibilities and potential for living life in new ways; for learning new skills and wholly new ways of working with and befriending your mind. 

Community Mindfulness Sessions are available weekdays.

The MHI Community Mindfulness Sessions are a wonderful option for: 

• those who have completed either MBSR, MBCT and/or MBSR2 and wish to continue practicing in community, 
• those who need more than an information session to discover if MBSR or MBCT is a good fit, 
• those for whom the current round of MBSR/MBCT classes isn’t a good fit.

Community Mindfulness Sessions are free and available live online.
Donations to support our community programs are warmly welcomed.
All sessions are free and open to the public. You can drop in once in a while or attend every week.
All programs are through Zoom video conferencing, which includes the option of joining from your phone. If you have questions about using this platform,
All program times are Eastern Time.

Mondays 5:30-6:30 PM (EDT) – Register Here

Guided Sitting Meditation and Mindful Discussion

Tuesdays 11:45-12 PM (EDT) – Register Here

Tuesday Mindful Pause

Wednesdays 12:15-1:00 PM (EDT) – Register Here

Community Meditation Session

What People Say about these sessions

“I have been wanting to…share how meaningful these community meditations are.  It’s a wonderful avenue to feel connected to the center there, to others in the ever growing Mindfulness community as well as providing a space in which to simply be. I am grateful!” – CF

“It’s always so nice to be at the Monday night community sit! What a wonderful experience you provide for the public. Thank you!” – KM