Global Majority (BIPOC) All Ages Retreat
July 2 @ 5:00 pm - July 6 @ 2:00 pm
Join Us for a Heartwarming Mindfulness Retreat at MorningSun Community, NH
For People of Color and Families of All Ages
Dear Friends,
We warmly invite you to a special mindfulness retreat at MorningSun Community in the serene hills of New Hampshire. Rooted in the Plum Village tradition of Zen Master Thich Nhat Hanh, this retreat will be a nurturing space for families and all ages of people of color to come together in mindfulness, joy, and connection.
During our time together, we will practice mindful breathing, walking, and sitting meditation, as well as deep relaxation and loving-kindness. Children, teens, and adults of BIPOC heritage will have opportunities to engage in activities, including mindful games, storytelling, and creative arts, all designed to cultivate presence and happiness.
This retreat is a chance to slow down, reconnect with ourselves and our loved ones, and build a supportive community. Whether you are new to mindfulness or have a long-standing practice, you are welcome here. Together, we will nourish our hearts, heal our spirits, and celebrate the beauty of being alive.
Highlights Include:
- Guided meditations and mindful movement
- Family-friendly activities and workshops
- Sharing circles to deepen understanding and connection
- Delicious, mindful meals
- Time to enjoy the peaceful natural surroundings
We look forward to welcoming you and your family to MorningSun.
With love and a deep bow,
The MorningSun Community
*This retreat is offered in the spirit of inclusivity and belonging, with a special invitation to people of color and their families.*
Retreat Teachers:
Marisela Gomez is a Dharma teacher ordained in the tradition of Thich Nhat Hanh’s Order of Interbeing. She is a public health scholar activist, and physician. Of-Afro-Latina ancestry, she lives in Baltimore involved in social justice activism and community building/research. Author of Race, Class, Power and Organizing in East Baltimore, and numerous book chapters, popular and scholarly publications. She blogs at Huff Post and mariselabgomez.com on the intersection of wisdom justice and mindfulness. She is a co-founder of the ARISE sangha (Awakening through Race, Intersectionality and Social Equity).
diane little eagle is an Alaska Native, Canadian Native, and Austrian. She Started meditating in the early 70s, studying with Maharishi, learning Transcendental Meditation and receiving advanced training. In the early 80s she started studying with Thich Nhat Hanh and became a Dharma teacher in 2018. Diane has also studied with Khentrul Rinpoche, Garchen Rinpoche, The Dalai Lama, Tukulu Yeshe and her Elders…they have taught her so so much. Diane is a traditional singer, Certified Classical homeopath, Herbalist, and Medical Qi Gong teacher in practice for more than 40 years.
Kenyatta is Jamaican born, migrated to Canada 30 years ago. They acknowledge that they carry the traumas, joys and strength of their ancestors. Kenyatta lived as a nun for eight years with Thich Nhat Hanh and the Plum Village monastic community. Their training included understanding and healing themselves (mind and body) through mindfulness practices. Skilled in holding safe healing retreat spaces, they have supported and guided programs for adults and families with children. Inspired by the words of Thich Nhat Hanh encouraging his students to return to their roots, when the time came for Kenyatta to leave the life of a nun, they returned to their native Jamaica “to see what can be done.” Since the monastery, they have expanding their trainings to also include trauma and resilient informed mindfulness, while training through the Trauma Resource Institute & through Resmaa Menakem’s Somatic Abolitionism.
Logistics, Accommodations and Cost:
Logistics: Arrival for the retreat is Wednesday July 2nd between 3 and 5pm. Departure is on Sunday after lunch on July 6th at 2pm. After you complete the registration process you will receive an auto-confirmation reply, and later we will send you the full information for the retreat, i.e. what to bring and schedule details, etc.
Attention: A service dog will be present during the retreat.
Accommodations: We have several rooms available in “El Cielo” (beds for 10-14 people depending on whether folks are alone, or couples, or in a ‘pod’), and also camping. Our campground is primitive, with flat sandy sites, outdoor showers and outhouses. You must provide your own tent and camping equipment. Campers will also have access to the first floor toilet and laundry in El Cielo. You may also choose to commute in and out if you live locally (or book a hotel/airbnb).
Cost: There are two parts to the program cost:
The Program itself (offered on an affordable sliding scale ($240-480/adult and all children are $90))
Accommodations (costs vary from camping ($60/tentsite) to beds in dormitory rooms ($220/adult and $90/child)
Financial Assistance: Anyone who wishes to attend the retreat will be welcomed, no matter of financial ability. If the lowest tier on the sliding scale is still too high for you, you may self-select a percentage for financial assistance within the registration form. If you need a full scholarship (or additional help – see Spiritual Refuge Scholarship below) please contact us via email. We can provide financial and coordination support for transportation to and from the retreat, so please email us or make a note in your registration to get in touch about this aspect if you need to.
Spiritual Refuge Scholarship: To go on retreat is to offer oneself a gift of support, healing and compassion. And for some of us with full-time work, study and family commitments, taking time for a retreat is not possible (for example: missing work means losing some of our essential income OR we are lacking funds to cover childcare while we’re away from home). If this sounds like you, please take a moment to connect with us. We want to make every effort to help you attend this special program while at the same time helping you honor work and family needs. The Spiritual Refuge Scholarship makes scholarships of 100% possible, AND, can offer additional funds (limited) to help us care for ourselves and our loved ones while we are away from work and home obligations. Please inquire (email) if you feel you have these needs. Working compassionately together, we know we can overcome systemic financial obstacles.
Retreat Registration Form:
Please email us if you have any questions at morningsunoffice@gmail.com
