Events

MBSR & Eco-Awareness Speaker Series

With thanks to the BESS Family Foundation for their support.

The MBSR & EcoAwareness Project offers an opportunity for MBSR/MBCT/MBI teachers and professionals to explore the place of Earth awareness in our teaching and work. These monthly gatherings focus on different aspects of EcoAwareness, including: what is Earth awareness? How can we bring these practices and inquiry into our classrooms and wider work? What are the myths and misunderstandings around nature connection in mindfulness practice?

Recordings are provided for anyone who cannot attend or wishes to revisit a gathering.

Upcoming Speakers

We send announcements about upcoming speakers via our email list. Registration is by donation, to support the important work of our speakers. Please contact us if payment is a barrier to participation; we will be happy to register you at any donation level, including $0.

Beyond the Four Walls

Titrating Ecological Grief in the MBSR Classroom

Patty Shutt, PsyD, CEDS

Thursday, February 26, 12noon-1pm US EST; 6-7pm CET (time zone converter)

Dr. Patty Shutt will directly address the question put forth from MBSR teachers: Will eco-awareness traumatize my students? Learn ways to address professional hesitations; learn how eco-anxiety and eco-grief relate to trauma symptoms; and how Earth-informed MBSR might offer a framework for recovery.

Dr. Shutt is a Licensed Clinical Psychologist specializing in trauma recovery, a Certified MBSR and MSC teacher, eco-awareness retreat leader, and a graduate of the MBSR & Eco-Awareness workshop.

Learn More & Register

The Essential Mindfulness Practice of Honoring Earth

Reciprocity as Our Ethical Ground

Karen Waconda

Thursday, March 12, 12noon-1pm US EST; 6-7pm CET (time zone converter)

Karen will speak from her lifelong experience in the intersection of native streams of knowledge and mindful awareness. She will invite us to contemplate reciprocity with all life on Earth as essential ground for practice and for teaching mindfulness.

Karen is a tribal native of the Isleta and Laguna Pueblos. She is initiated in Native Medicine and is a Spirit Rock Community Dharma Leader. She regularly provides dharma teachings incorporating Native teachings in her community and nationally.

Learn More & Register

The 2nd Annual Earth Day Global Online Retreat

Thursday, April 23, 11am-12:30pm US EST; 5-6:30pm CET (time zone converter)

Gather with MBSR/MBI friends and colleagues on this Earth Day 2026 for 90 minutes of guided practice. As we honor Earth together for this second annual gathering, we hope you'll find nourishment, connection and inspiration toward caring for the Earth in so many ways. The retreat will be guided by our esteemed teaching colleagues in Earth Awareness practice, many of whom are graduates of the MBSR & EcoAwareness Workshop.

This online retreat is offered on a by-donation basis. 100% of your donations will be directed to Freedom Together, a global mindfulness teacher training program "designed BY and FOR Black, Indigenous, and People of Color – the Global Majority." To donate, visit here.

Past Events

EcoAwareness in the MBI Classroom

Margaret Fletcher and Trish Magyari

from January 29, 2026

Margaret and Trish are excited to introduce our 2026 Speaker Series; program and research updates from the MBSR & EcoAwareness Project; and practical encouragement to bring your care and compassion for the Earth into your MBI classroom and extended work.

Watch the Video

Islands of Belonging in a Sea of Climate Chaos

with Kritee Kanko

Thursday May 1st

Now available by recording

This 2.5 hour interactive and contemplative talk is interwoven with sharing of

climate science myths and truths
the spiritual and cultural root causes of the climate crisis
the need to hold individual and collective grief, rage and fears
what "hopeful" pathways can help us confront the polycrisis.

Kritee (Kanko), Ph.D., is a Zen Buddhist priest, climate scientist, meditation teacher, grief ceremony leader, and Love-justice activist. She believes that our collective survival, healing and belonging in these times of polycrisis depends on our ability to belong and re-indigenize. Please visit her website for more details.

Your generous donation for this recording helps support the important work of Dr. Kanko.

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