“The Ocean Is The Teacher”
Retreat at the Blue Shutter Inn
Watching the waves at Good Harbor Beach is our primary practice during one night away from normal life.
There is a broken-hearted wisdom that the ocean teaches. The intention during this retreat is to engage quite fully with the sounds, sights, smells, and felt-sense of that wisdom.
Deepen (or begin) a relationship to silent awareness of what is.
Every year, we gather during the first weekend of May.
1 Nautilus Rd, Gloucester, MA 01930
Come for just the Friday night classroom, &/or get a room at the inn for Friday night and stay for the Saturday intensive practice.
Our studio has a block of rooms at the Blue Shutters Inn for the weekend of Friday April 30th thru Sunday May 2nd 2027.
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!
Our Studio:
At the Mindful Boston studio for meditation, we record podcasts and guided meditations. The audio is broadcast online via 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 to our Gloucester retreat:
-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 be commuting.
Weekend Schedule
Friday
Friday April 30th 2027-
Arrive & Socialize
Attendance on Friday is required if you want to attend the Saturday intensive.
But it does stand alone if you want to attend only Friday as a free way to get to know our studio.
starting ~5:30pm—
Simple Soup Supper
After work on Friday, around 5:30-ish, studio members are invited to a simple soup & bread dinner. RSVP is required so that we can get enough soup.7pm—
Intro Meditation Class
Free & open to the public:
7pm to 8pm.
This class will give you an overview of the program and basic instructions for the meditations we intend to practice.
Invite your friends to this public event!
There’s plenty of parking.8pm-ish—
After the intro class is over, you have open time.
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 1st-
Spring Summit— Members Only.
The Main Event!
9am
Gather for coffee(?) and pastries, maybe an egg.
Have your room packed before we start meditation.10am- 11:45
Guided meditation. Intensive extended practice time. Yoga Nidra.11:45 -12pm
Wrap up, and next steps. We are still practicing interpersonal mindfulness labs.12pm: Official end of the guided portion of your 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 and digestion. 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 night into Sunday
On Saturday, after the intensive is complete, it's recommended to plan to stay for at least an extra walk on the beach before you leave. Or if you have come to the retreat with friends, you might want to go out to eat together in order to debrief.
If your budget allows you to stay for Saturday night, it is recommended to stay through to Sunday in order to give yourself that gift of additional time for reflection and digestion after the work of the guided retreat.
Notes about enrollment:
The Friday night classroom is required before participating in the Saturday morning intensive.
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 on Saturday morning. 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.
Notes about phones and devices:
Please be prepared to turn off phones and other devices in order to maintain present moment awareness with each other.
If you are planning to read, please use a paper book or an offline device.
Using the phone is becoming a form of addiction for many people. During this one day of being apart from your daily life you can engage in a deeper level of paying attention to intoxicant use, and being aware of what items and substances you are using while navigating your daily life.
Notes about healing and grief:
This retreat doesn’t focus on creating “healing” in any specific way, necessarily.
Yet, many folks do leave the retreat feeling some nourishment that will support their ongoing healing work at home.
Similarly, the retreat doesn’t address grief directly, yet many participants choose to do grief-work during their weekend of practice with us. Grief-work is welcome and supported by mindfulness.
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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 process of quieting that
eventually leads to a healing silence.