LOCATION
The beautiful Samish Island Campground and Retreat Center, maintained by the Community of Christ at the east end of Samish Island, (the “island” is accessible by road) offers stunning views, deep quiet, and simple accommodations. Mindfulness Northwest has been offering retreats at Samish for many years. More details about the venue can be found here.
THEME: Abiding with a Loving Heart
Each year we come together to practice in community. This year we’ll focus on four essential qualities of the heart: loving-kindness, compassion, joy, and equanimity. Known in Buddhism as the Brahmaviharas or Divine Abidings, these teachings are not a side dish! 🙂 They are the foundation for mindfulness practice: by warming up the heart, we allow the mind to relax, see clearly, and be at ease.
Each day we’ll offer a talk about one of these “immeasurables”. Evenings will feature a chance to experience them directly through guided practice.
Now more than ever, the world needs our practice. We hope you’ll join us as we cultivate stillness, clarity, AND a heart that is loving, caring, joyful, and steady.
SCHEDULE DETAILS
This silent retreat starts with check in from 4 to 5pm on the opening Friday, and closes at 12pm on Wednesday. We’ll rise early, beginning each day of practice at 6:30am, and go steadily through each day in silence and contemplation, closing at 8:30pm. There will be breaks after meals for rest, exercise, and other self-care. A more detailed schedule can be viewed here.
SCHEDULE
August 21 - 26, 2026
Friday, 4:00 pm - Wednesday, 12:00 pm PT
TEACHERS
COST
$810 - $1,455 (or $203 – $364/month)
- Sliding scale: Choose what’s right for you.
- Payment plan option: 4-months, no-interest.
- Limited scholarships available: No need to apply; just choose a scholarship tuition during registration.
- Lodging: Rustic cabin is included in reservation. Optional upgrade to E-cabin at registration. Tent camping and RVs spots are available (use code TENT to get $50 off).
REGISTRATION DEADLINE
Tuesday August 18th at 11:55pm
Carolyn McCarthy on what she loves about our retreats
What past retreat participants say:
"An excellent way to rejuvenate, connect with myself, get clarity, and feel supported by like-minded people. The instructors were wonderful."
"Life-Changing. I was able to accept myself and forgive myself for the first time, and feel compassion for myself."
"The retreat was a calming, introspective, healing time. I was needing to disconnect with my outside pressures and reconnect with myself, and this was accomplished."
"This retreat was a deep gift to me personally, and I have been feeling the benefits to my nervous system this week. The deep invitation toward acceptance and the reminder that we are many things, not just one, feels particularly timely and relevant."
WHO THIS RETREAT IS FOR
- Students of mindfulness interested in deepening and maintaining their practice
- Mindfulness teachers who’d like to strengthen their understanding of the Buddhist roots of contemporary mindfulness
- Those who have taken a course in Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction, Mindful Self-Compassion, or Mindfulness for Healthcare Professionals.
- Adults age 18 and over
Your first longer retreat?
Before sitting a multi-day retreat, we recommend that you have teacher-led experience with mindfulness or related contemplative practices. Please contact us if you have questions about whether this retreat will be appropriate for you.
ABOUT THE TEACHERS
Carolyn McCarthy
(she/her) Diversity & Inclusion Coordinator, Teacher
carolyn@mindfulnessnorthwest.com | 360-830-6439 x6
Carolyn teaches in the hopes of moving us, individually and collectively, toward healing, wholeness, and love. With a degree in Latin American Studies and Women's Studies, she uses mindfulness to support the work of social justice, turning toward the difficult within and without. Carolyn is a certified teacher of Mindful Self-Compassion (MSC) and Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR). Zest, warmth, and wit enliven her teaching. Core practices: sitting meditation, time outside, solo living room dance parties. Visit her online at www.carolynmcc.com.
RJ Rongcal
(he/him) Teacher
rj@mindfulnessnorthwest.com | 360-830-6439 x704
RJ believes deeply in the strength and vastness of each person’s mind and heart. He has practiced and studied mindfulness in both spiritual and secular settings, including completion of our Mindfulness Teacher-Training Program and a 9-month residency at Gampo Abbey where he lived as a Buddhist monk. RJ is a certified to teach MBSR as well as general mindfulness programs. When RJ’s not nerding out about mindfulness and meditation, he’s probably busy with one of his other passions: teaching 2nd grade, playing guitar, or spending time with his pulchritudinous wife, Jamie. You can learn more about him through his teaching and writing at www.ever-mindful.com.
FOOD & ACCOMMODATIONS
Simple accommodations and tasty, nutritious meals are included in your registration. The wonderful cooks at Samish can always accommodate gluten-free, dairy-free, nut-free and vegetarian diets. If your dietary needs require bringing your own food, fridge space is available, as is a microwave.
Most rooms are comfortable single-occupancy rustic cabins sharing the campground bathhouses. There are Male & Female bathhouses, as well as an All-Gender bathroom with showers, and All-Gender single-occupancy toilets in the dining hall. There is an option for motel-style rooms with a shared en-suite bath for a surcharge. RV and tent camping are also available (water and electrical hookup provided). Find more information about accommodations here.
ABOUT SAMISH ISLAND RETREAT CENTER
This beautiful retreat center maintained by the Community of Christ at the east end of Samish Island (the "island" is accessible by road) offers stunning views, deep quiet, and simple accommodations. Mindfulness Northwest has been offering retreats at Samish for many years. More details about the venue can be found here.
CHORES
Note that Samish is very lightly staffed allowing it to be more affordable than most venues. This helps us to hold registration fees at an affordable level. Every participant helps out with camp chores such as washing dishes.
TEACHER TRAINING AND DEVELOPMENT
This retreat meets prerequisite requirements of a 5-day silent, guided retreat for the following teacher training programs:
- Mindfulness Northwest – Mindfulness MBSR Teacher Training Program
- Center for Mindful Self-Compassion – Mindful Self-Compassion Teacher Training
- UCSD Mindfulness Based Professional Training Institute (MBPTI) – MBSR 6-Day Teacher Training Intensive
- Brown Center for Mindfulness – MBSR Teacher Training Pathway
About Our Multi-Day Silent Retreats
The daily schedule at our multi-day silent retreats includes gently guided sitting and walking meditation, morning teachings, mindful movement, and the body scan, as well as compassion cultivation and loving-kindness meditations.
WHO COMES TO RETREATS?
All are welcome! We are honored to support each participant in their meditation practice regardless of their nationality, ethnicity, race, color, gender, gender identity, sexual identity, age, physical ability, political affiliation, or religion. Our retreats are suitable for beginning through experienced practitioners.
We are committed to offering support for any accessibility needs you have as we are able. Please contact us prior to registering for a course.
YOUR FIRST LONGER RETREAT?
Before sitting a multi-day retreat we recommend that you have teacher-led experience with mindfulness or related contemplative practices. Please contact us if you have questions about whether this retreat will be appropriate for you.
IS RETREAT RIGHT FOR YOU? Meditation retreats are not right for everyone. If you have a history of trauma or acute psychological issues, consider checking with a mental health professional to decide if intensive retreat practice would be supportive. If you have questions or concerns about whether a retreat is right for you, please contact us at office@mindfulnessnorthwest.com.
STRUCTURE AND PARTICIPATION
FOUR DAILY PRACTICE SESSIONS
- Mindfulness and compassion practices are offered in four blocks daily: early morning, morning, afternoon, and evening.
- Participants are expected to attend all sessions and follow the printed schedule you will receive on site as fully as possible. However, we are flexible and always willing to work with you on what your body and mind can reasonably do. Speak with the retreat teachers if you have concerns about following the complete schedule.
PRACTICING IN SILENCE
- After the initial orientation and introductions on the first evening, our residential retreats are held in silence.
- Participants are expected to follow guidelines around silence and participation:
- Not speaking to other participants including close friends or partners you are attending with.
- Not using technology of any form.
- Not reading books, magazines, flyers, or any reading materials.
- Reducing interpersonal contact through the eyes or other body language.
- Necessary communication with the retreat teachers can be done via a notes station or by taking them aside.
The intention of silent retreat is to settle deeply into your own experience and to not interact with others, allowing everyone space to have the retreat they need to have -- including you!
PERSONAL AND INTERPERSONAL SAFETY
Participants are expected to be sensitive and responsive to these guidelines and the needs of fellow participants as fully as possible.
- Do not take photos or make recordings of other participants or the teachers.
- Do not use alcohol or mind altering drugs of any kind.
- Emergency contact information to share with loved ones will be sent to you. Venue staff and Mindfulness Northwest instructors will make sure you receive incoming messages promptly while your phone is off. If you are expecting an urgent message please let your instructor know.
- Instructors are available at all times to offer support, including conversation if needed.
WHAT TO BRING
WHAT TO BRING- Warm clothes in layers (sweater, jacket, raingear, etc.). Outdoor walking meditation may be a component of this retreat unless the weather is too challenging.
- Shoes that are (1) fine walking in damp grass and (2) slip-on if possible. We take shoes on and off frequently. Slippers for the practice room can also be nice to have.
- Toiletries and overnight things including a towel.
- Bringing your own bedding (pillows, sheets, blankets or sleeping bag) is required at some of our venues. Please check your registration confirmation email for this information.
- A flashlight can be helpful but venues are generally reasonably well lit. Sometimes there is walking between buildings in the early morning and evening.
- A yoga mat if you have a favorite. We are able to bring mats to share.
- Meditation cushions / supplies – if you have a meditation cushion(s), a bench or other sitting gear, feel free to bring it. We are able to bring a limited supply of cushions. Note that there are plenty of chairs available.
- An extra blanket or two for the meditation hall – nice for body scans and resting.
AFTER THE RETREAT
Silent mindfulness retreats can be psychologically powerful. It's not unusual to experience significant shifts in your mood and energy levels right after a retreat. We recommend that you closely monitor your "mental hygiene" by avoiding overstimulating environments or influences directly after the retreat (i.e. parties, loud events, violent content, harsh substances or emotionally straining company). You can support the integration of your retreat experience with activities like journaling/drawing, mindful movement, spending time in nature or even a shower/soak in a bath. If you feel "off" several days after your retreat we encourage you to seek out support. Don't hesitate to reach out to us at office@mindfulnessnorthwest.com to connect with one of our teachers.
Cancellation Policy
For retreats at Samish Island Campground & Retreat Center:
- Cancel 22+ days before the retreat begins: Receive a full refund less a $60 non-refundable cancellation fee.
- Cancel 7-21 days before the retreat begins: 50% refund. Payment plans may need to continue until 50% of tuition is paid.
- Cancel less than 7 days before the retreat begins: No refunds.
Mindfulness Northwest Health & Safety Policy
To help create a safe and supportive environment for all participants, we ask that you observe the following guidelines:
Before arrival:
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Please stay home if you are experiencing any symptoms of illness (fever, cough, sore throat, congestion, gastrointestinal symptoms, etc.).
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We encourage participants to take a COVID-19 test the day before arrival, as symptoms may not always be present.
During retreat:
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If you begin to experience symptoms of illness while on retreat, we ask that you help protect others by either heading home (if feasible) or isolating as much as possible.
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Please notify the retreat teacher or staff so we can provide support and guidance.
General practices:
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Masks are optional but welcome for anyone who chooses to wear them.
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Hand sanitizer and masks will be available onsite.
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We encourage all participants to practice good hand hygiene and be mindful of others’ comfort levels around physical proximity.
We deeply appreciate your care in helping us hold a safe and nourishing space for everyone.
Our 2026 Overnight Retreats
- Roots of Compassion, 5 day, January 19-24, Rainbow Lodge (North Bend, WA) with Tim Burnett & Nikki Dvorak Larson.
- Spring Weekend Retreat, March 27-29, Samish Island Retreat Center (Bow, WA) with Tim Burnett & Sonia Sahay.
- Fierce Compassion Women's Retreat, May 29-31, Sacred Waters Retreat Center (Union, WA) with Karen Schwisow & Carolyn McCarthy.
- Summer Weekend Retreat, June 26-28, Samish Island Retreat Center (Bow, WA) with Carolyn McCarthy & RJ Rongcal.
- Roots of Mindfulness, 5 day, August 21-26, Samish Island Retreat Center (Bow, WA) with Carolyn McCarthy & RJ Rongcal.
- Fall 3-Day Retreat, October 8-11, Samish Island Retreat Center (Bow, WA) with Tim Burnett.
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