The main event is 9am-12pm on Sat. 5/2/26.
Every year, we gather during the first weekend of May.
1 Nautilus Rd, Gloucester, MA 01930
Come for just the day, or get a room at the inn for Friday night.
Our studio has a block of rooms at the Blue Shutters Inn for the weekend of May 1st, 2nd, and 3rd, 2026.
Beach views from most rooms.
Join us for meditations, as needed.
Take time alone as needed.
Registration:
Let us know that you are interested!
Fill out this form and click the Submit button.
We’re looking forward to having you joining our Beach Retreat.
Check out the current live view from the Inn’s window.
It will help you get excited for May!
Description:
At the Mindful Boston studio for meditation, we record podcasts and guided meditations. The audio is broadcast worldwide on our radio station MBZ1- Mindful Beacon.
Members from around the world stay connected to their mindfulness practice by tuning in to the radio station, and by joining us for our Beach Retreats when they travel to Massachusetts.
You are welcome too!
Travel Logistics:
-There is a commuter train from Boston nearby, so you don’t need a car.
-But if you do want to drive, there’s plenty of parking at the Inn.
-The Inn is a 60min drive away from Boston, so some folks will arrive just for the Saturday morning events. Attendance on Friday is optional, just for fun.
Weekend Schedule
Friday
Friday May 1st 2026-
Arrive & Socialize
Attendance on Friday is optional, just for fun.
6pm—
Simple Soup Supper
Members: After work on Friday, between 5:30 and 6pm-ish, paid members are invited to come to Gena Bean’s 2nd floor kitchenette at the Blue Shutters Inn for a simple soup & bread dinner. Members’ Simple Soup is from about 6pm to about 6:50. RSVP is required so that we can get enough soup.7pm—
Community Meditation Class
Free & open to the public: 7pm to 8pm.
Free Community Meditation Night (CMN) classroom is on the first floor in the inn’s public living room.
Invite your friends to this public event!
There’s plenty of parking.8pm-ish—
After the meditation class is over, Ed could host an outdoor fire pit (weather permitting) with marshmallows for us on Friday night.
No wine/beer pls for Friday night, this retreat has an intention towards reduced intoxicant use as we move towards sobriety in our mindfulness practices.
It’s optional to get a room at the inn for Friday night. You can also stay elsewhere and commute.
Saturday
Saturday May 2nd-
Spring Summit— Members Only.
The Main Event!
9am
Coffee(?) and muffins, maybe a scrabbled egg.
Have your room packed before we start meditation.10am- 11:15
Guided meditation. Extended practice time. Yoga nidra.11:15 -12pm
Wrap up, and next steps.12pm: Official end of our retreat.
The afternoon can be an open schedule. You have the freedom to explore Gloucester’s beaches, nap, join the group for lunch at the Seaport Grill, or simply end your day early.
Sunday
Sunday May 3rd-
A relaxation day for yourself?
Staying at the inn through Sunday is optional, just for fun. There are no official meditation events scheduled.
Plan your own day
9am
Coffee and muffins? Walk on the beach?11am - check out.
Packing up and transitioning to the next thing.
Notes about Saturday lunch:
Even though lunch is not officially included in the retreat, we have tentative reservations at the Seaport Grill for those who are interested in a restaurant lunch. Some members do choose to have a cocktail with lunch once the retreat is over.
This restaurant is expensive, but worth it. Plan for $50-$70 per person. Have a look at their menu and decide if you want to RSVP to have lunch with our group. It’s arguably the best fish around.
Notes about enrollment:
Each Yoga Nidra session is limited to 5 participants. We might add a second session for Saturday night if we have a high enough enrollment.
Note about intoxicants:
Please practice a higher level of sobriety (than what is normal for your daily life) for the 24 hours before your Yoga Nidra practice. This can be a moment to bring mindful awareness to how you use any substance, including coffee, cigarettes, cannabis, and/or alcohol. Staying at the inn, if possible, can support the intention towards sobriety.
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Tune in to the ocean
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Meditate
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Friday night fire with marshmallows
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On Saturday, Retreat Day starts with coffee and muffins 9am
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Have meaningful conversations
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Watch the beach from your room
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You can commute, or get a room
- Tune in to the ocean - Meditate - Friday night fire with marshmallows - On Saturday, Retreat Day starts with coffee and muffins 9am - Have meaningful conversations - Watch the beach from your room - You can commute, or get a room
On Saturday, meet members of the studio
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Meditate
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Friday night fire with marshmallows
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Take time for yourself
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Take a mindful beach walk
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Guided meditation at 10am
On Saturday, meet members of the studio - Meditate - Friday night fire with marshmallows - Take time for yourself - Take a mindful beach walk - Guided meditation at 10am
When gathering together for meditation, it’s useful to have an initial signal
to hone in on.
A meditation practice starts with a bell.
Our studio of practice starts with the radio station.
And then, the process of deepening mindfulness practice is a quieting process that
eventually leads to a healing silence.