Apr 1, 2026
Loss and transition have a way of reshaping us from the inside out. They can shake what once felt certain, ask more of us than we think we can handle, and leave us searching for steadiness in what feels like a frightening wilderness. And yet, the cavern created by...
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...
Jan 26, 2026
In January 2026, Mindfulness Northwest Senior Teacher Teacher Tim Burnett co-led, with Nikki Dvorak Larsen, a 5-day retreat on the Buddhist inspired teachings on compassion at Rainbow Lodge near North Bend, Washington just below Snoqualmie Pass. Tim explored the...
Jul 31, 2025
Longtime MNW student Maggie Weisberg wrote this reflection for her final MBSR class in June. It was so wonderful, we wanted to share it with you! We’re including her reflection preceded by an email note from Maggie offering permission to publish this here....
Jul 14, 2025
Did you know you have a calm button within that you can activate whenever you need it? You may already know about the counterpart to your inner calm button, your inner emergencybutton. This emergency button or Sympathetic Nervous System (SNS) can be a literal...
Jun 10, 2025
If you’ve spent time with me in the classroom, you know that I open every offering with the following words: All of you is welcome.All of your identities, seen and unseen, known and unknown.All of who you are is welcome.All of HOW you are is welcome!Your mood,...
Jun 5, 2025
Rainforest Retreat 2025 In May 2025, Mindfulness Northwest Senior Teacher Tim Burnett led a 5-day retreat on the Buddhist and scientific teachings on the five elements of earth, fire, water, air, and space. Unfortunately due to a mix of weather and nature walk...
May 7, 2025
For much of my life, I have sought well-being through external validation and stimulus. Winning the big game, getting good grades, finding the right job, and so on. I was chasing a fleeting experience while ignoring the heart that’s longing for it. It has been its own...
Apr 13, 2025
You are so excited to prepare dinner for three of your friends. You’ve planned a menu, gone grocery shopping, and spent several hours slicing and chopping, sauteing and mixing to bring forth a delightful meal. Your guests arrive to share your culinary efforts. They...
Mar 4, 2025
Dear Friends of Mindfulness Northwest, A group of 25 people is gathering for a day of mindfulness at Semiahmoo County Park, north of Bellingham. The park is situated on a mile-long sandspit extending into the Salish Sea, with water on both sides. It’s just...
Jan 10, 2025
Dear Friends of Mindfulness Northwest, As the year turns, I find myself reflecting on the journey and adventure Mindfulness Northwest has been and thought I’d share a bit this month. Sometime in 2009 a dream started to take shape in my life. I was starting to...
Dec 13, 2024
by Carolyn McCarthy Photo by Judy Beth Morris On a recent morning in early November, my stomach was in knots. My head was spinning, a thought storm tumbling through. I’d managed to get myself out the door and was walking to yoga class, mat tucked under my arm. But my...
