Mar 31, 2026
by Tim Burnett, March 2026 In March 2026, Mindfulness Northwest teachers Tim Burnett and Sonia Sahay led a weekend retreat at the Samish Island Retreat Center with focussed on how mindfulness is also a way of meeting the challenges of a larger world. Tim gave a talk...
Feb 27, 2026
There were memories of arguments lost, fears of what would become of me, and someone’s sickly cough rummaging through the meditation hall. My jaw was clenched, as I screamed at myself mentally, fighting back knee pain. And it was only day 2 of 7. Often when I tell...
Oct 20, 2025
by Tim Burnett, October 2025 In October 2025, Mindfulness Northwest senior teacher Tim Burnett led a weekend retreat at the Samish Island Retreat Center focussed on essential core attitudes for a fruitful mindfulness practice. The talks also included reflections by...
Jul 3, 2025
by Tim Burnett, June 2025 In June 2025, Mindfulness Northwest teachers Tim Burnett and RJ Rongcal led a weekend retreat at the Samish Island Retreat Center with focussed on the practicing deeply as if our lives truly depend on it. We offer three weekend residential...
Mar 31, 2025
by Tim Burnett, March 2025 In March 2025, Mindfulness Northwest teachers Tim Burnett and Carolyn McCarthy led a weekend retreat at the Samish Island Retreat Center with focussed on the power of awareness for healing We offer three weekend residential retreats each...
Oct 3, 2024
What happens when you take stock of your day, your life, your purpose? What is the nature of the language you use with yourself? Most of us tend to be harsh and critical of how we are conducting our life. We easily spiral into self-talk of “shoulds:” I should be more...
Aug 2, 2024
“May you be happy…” Have you heard this phrase before? It is one of several phrases that might be used in the loving-kindness meditation practice. Others include: may you feel safe, may you be healthy, may you be at peace, and may you live with ease. What is your...
Jun 6, 2024
After several very serious discussions and a thorough multi-year review of the evidence, the Mindfulness Northwest team has reached a clear consensus – there is an above-average overlap between mindfulness practitioners and birders. It makes sense! Mindfulness is a...
Mar 27, 2024
Before applying to work at Mindfulness Northwest (MNW), I added up the time I’d spent in MNW programs: over 200 hours, most of those in 8-week Mindful Self-Compassion and Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction classes.Ask anyone in my life, and they’ll tell you I’ve...
Feb 2, 2024
In our classes, when we turn toward difficult emotions, we often say, “This is where the rubber meets the road.” In other words: This is where it gets tough, but also, this is why we’re doing this practice. I have five parents: two in-laws, two birth, one step. In the...
Nov 22, 2023
In March 2021, Mindfulness Northwest Executive Director and Guiding Teacher Tim Burnett led a weekend retreat online focussed on the powerful teachings of beginner’s mind from Buddhism which also form a foundational part of Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction as...
Nov 3, 2023
A few weeks ago, I decided to meditate outside, on my deck. It was a beautiful day, a slight breeze rustling through the trees, birds twittering, sky a startling blue, with no clouds. As I was adjusting myself in the special seat I had prepared, with the pillow just...
