Registration Open

2020 Virtual BP3 Community Retreat & Training

This year our annual retreat will be held online.

We will be joined by Jimmy Santiago Baca, Kenneth E Hartman, and Stronghold for a weekend of inspiration, liberation and meditation.

For more information, contact us at info@buddhistpathways.org .

Background processes are introduced as a gentle way to support reflection, connection, and inner steadiness during periods of change. Rooted in time-honored contemplative traditions, these approaches invite participants to pause, notice what is arising, and meet their experience with curiosity rather than judgment. The emphasis is on simple, repeatable practices that can be carried into daily life, even in environments that are noisy, constrained, or fast moving. Over time, this kind of attention can soften habitual reactions, open a little space around difficult emotions, and encourage a more grounded relationship with oneself and others. Beginners and experienced practitioners alike are welcome to explore at their own pace.

Mindfulness practice is often shared in group settings that foster a sense of community and shared purpose. Sitting together, whether in person or through a virtual gathering, can help individuals feel less isolated with their struggles and more supported in their intentions. Guided sessions may include silent meditation, brief readings, and open discussion, allowing participants to learn from one another as well as from experienced facilitators. The repeated act of coming together to practice can build trust and a feeling of continuity. For many people, the sangha becomes a steadying anchor during transitions, offering encouragement to keep showing up for oneself.

Movement-based practices complement seated meditation by bringing awareness into the body. Slow, mindful stretches and breath-led sequences offer a way to notice tension, ease physical discomfort, and reconnect with sensations that are often overlooked. These practices do not require special equipment or athletic ability; they are designed to be accessible and adaptable to many different bodies and settings. Participants are encouraged to move within their own range, honoring limits rather than pushing through them. Integrating movement with meditation can deepen overall awareness and make contemplative practice feel more embodied, balanced, and inclusive for people of varied backgrounds and experience levels.

Annual retreats typically offer a longer, more immersive opportunity to step away from routine and dedicate time to inner work. Over a weekend or several days, participants engage in guided meditation, reflection periods, and shared meals, all held within a supportive container of practice. The pacing is intentionally unhurried, allowing space for insights to unfold naturally rather than being rushed. Retreat settings often emphasize silence, simplicity, and mutual respect, which can create conditions conducive to genuine rest and renewal. Many people find that the experience offers perspective on long-standing patterns and leaves them feeling more centered, compassionate toward themselves, and clearer about how they wish to live.

Programs offered in carceral and post-release settings are shaped by an awareness that practice can support people during some of the most challenging stretches of their lives. Volunteers and facilitators work to bring clear, accessible teachings to participants who may be encountering meditation for the first time, while also deepening the practice for those with prior experience. Continuity matters: ongoing support after release can help individuals carry forward insights gained during incarceration into daily life. The broader aim is to foster durable transformation by nurturing awareness, compassion, and community, recognizing that lasting change often grows through patient, sustained effort rather than any single event.

Register Today

No one will be turned away for lack of funds. If the cost for this weekend long event is prohibitive, please request a scholarship and we will follow up with you. Those who are able, please consider giving an additional donation to help cover the costs for those who cannot afford a ticket.