A Deeper Dive into Mindfulness and Self-Compassion

In unsettled times, caring for ourselves becomes one way we care for the world. Join us for five days of practice and reflection at Breitenbush Hot Springs.

This retreat offers a chance to step away from the pace of daily life and explore mindfulness and self-compassion in a supportive community. Through guided meditation, gentle teaching, and shared reflection, we’ll explore the tenets of Mindful Self-Compassion — mindfulness, common humanity, and self-kindness — drawing on the work of Dr. Kristin Neff and Dr. Chris Germer. The emphasis is on direct experience and simple practices that can support you in everyday life.

Our days will include guided sessions as well as unstructured time for walking the forest paths, resting, connecting with others, or soaking in the hot springs. Nestled in the forested foothills of the Oregon Cascades, Breitenbush offers a rare setting where natural beauty, quiet community, and the healing waters support reflection and renewal.

Daily Schedule & Themes

Sunday, October 25, 2026

Welcome! We have arrived.

• 6:00 p.m. — Dinner
• 7:30–9:00 p.m. — Welcome & Opening Session

Our arrival is warm and experiential, with space to land, get oriented, and begin to feel at ease with the group. During this opening session, you’ll have a chance to reflect on your wishes for our time together — how you’d like to engage and what matters most to you during this time. As always, there will be room here for rest, lightness, and laughter along the way.

Monday, October 26, 2026

Showing up for Ourselves
What would happen if you met yourself with the same care you offer others?

• 9:30 AM–12:30 p.m. — Morning Session
• 1:00–2:30 p.m. — Lunch
• 2:30–5:30 p.m. — Afternoon Session
• 6:00 p.m. — Dinner (evening free)

Our first full day introduces the foundations of Mindful Self-Compassion. Through guided practices, experiential exercises, and small group work, participants begin learning how to relate to themselves with greater awareness, kindness, and support. (MSC Sessions 1, 2, and 3)

Tuesday, October 27, 2026

What if Your Inner Critic Didn’t Run the Show?
What if the voice inside you could become a source of support instead of strain?

• 9:30 AM–12:00 p.m. — Morning Session
• 1:00–2:30 p.m. — Lunch
• 2:30–5:00 p.m. — Afternoon Session
• 6:00 p.m. — Dinner (evening free)

We get to know the part of the mind that can be relentlessly tough on us — the inner critic. Rather than trying to silence it, participants learn how to work with it in a wiser, more compassionate way, and begin to develop a voice that actually supports them. (MSC Sessions 4 and 5)

Wednesday, October 28, 2026

Steady in the Storm – Caring for Ourselves and Others when Things Get Really Hard
When pain shows up, in your own heart or in your relationships, how might you stay present without abandoning or turning against yourself or the people you care about?

• 9:30 AM–12:30 p.m. — Morning Session
• 1:00–2:30 p.m. — Lunch
• 2:30–5:30 p.m. — Personal Retreat Afternoon
• 6:00 p.m. — Dinner
• 7:30–9:00 p.m. — Optional Grief and Gratitude Ritual

This day focuses on working with difficult emotions (anger, shame, grief, etc.) and challenging relationships, especially for caregivers of all types. Participants learn practical ways to remain steady in the face of conflict, burnout, and emotional pain. (MSC Sessions 6 and 7)

Thursday, October 29, 2026 (Half Day)

Embracing Our Lives
What does it mean to live this practice — in your own life and in the lives you touch?

• 9:30 AM–12:00 p.m. — Morning Session & Closing
• 1:00 p.m. — Lunch (You’re welcome to stay and soak until 3 p.m., though you’ll need to check out of your rooms by noon.)

Self-compassion doesn’t end with you. It shapes how you show up, how you respond, and the impact you have. We close by exploring how our practice expands beyond the retreat: in your relationships, your choices, and the wider world you’re part of. Participants leave with simple, sustainable ways to carry this into daily life, and into the lives they touch. (MSC Session 8)

Ruth Williamson and Aimee Eckhardt, both experienced teachers of Mindful Self-Compassion who have guided students through these practices for many years in both online and in-person settings. Aimee is also the founder of the Community for Deepening Practice, an eight-month online program whose spirit of steady practice and community will inform the retreat.

Whether you come with an established meditation practice or simply a wish for a meaningful pause, this retreat offers a welcoming space to slow down, practice together, and reconnect with what matters.

Please note: The retreat fee covers the program only. Lodging and meals will be included when you register through Breitenbush Hot Springs.

Retreat pricing is as follows:

Supported pricing is limited to the first 8 applicants.

Standard fees apply after 10/01/2026