The Power of Mindfulness and Self-Compassion

Imagine three days of transformation unfolding against the backdrop of the California coast, where the rhythm of the Pacific Ocean becomes your heartbeat and the practice of self-compassion rewires your nervous system. The Power of Mindfulness and Self-Compassion is a three-day intensive workshop at the legendary Esalen Institute in Big Sur, led by Dr. Shauna Shapiro, a pioneering researcher and clinician whose decades of work have illuminated the profound connection between mindfulness practice and genuine emotional healing.

This isn't a retreat of passive relaxation—it's an active exploration of how self-compassion fundamentally reshapes your emotional landscape, relationships, and sense of purpose. Dr. Shapiro bridges cutting-edge neuroscience with embodied practice, offering concrete techniques to ease anxiety, unlock creative capacity, and cultivate a deeper sense of belonging. Whether you arrive carrying stress, seeking clarity, or ready to deepen an existing practice, this workshop meets you exactly where you are. The setting itself—ocean vistas, gardens, and natural hot springs—becomes part of the teaching, a living mirror reflecting the calm and connection you're cultivating within.

All skill levels are welcome. You'll have full access to Esalen's campus amenities and open classes throughout your stay, creating a complete immersive experience designed to ground new insights into lasting transformation.

What to Expect

Each day weaves together guided mindfulness instruction, neuroscience-informed teachings on self-compassion, and practical techniques you can integrate immediately into daily life. Sessions are paced to allow integration—there's ample time for personal practice, reflection, and the natural renewal that happens in Big Sur's contemplative atmosphere. Dr. Shapiro creates a safe, non-judgmental container where participants can explore their relationship with themselves and others through the lens of compassion. You'll learn how sustained practice reshapes neural patterns associated with calm, clarity, and genuine connection. By the workshop's close, you'll leave with a toolkit of evidence-based practices, a renewed sense of purpose, and tangible shifts in how you relate to yourself and the world.

Venue & Logistics

This workshop takes place at Esalen Institute in Big Sur, California, one of the world's most renowned retreat centers, perched on pristine cliffside grounds overlooking the Pacific. The three-day intensive runs Saturday, September 12–14, 2026. Wear comfortable, layered clothing suitable for ocean breezes and warm indoor spaces. Bring an open heart and a journal to capture insights. Esalen welcomes all bodies and abilities; contact the venue directly with specific accessibility needs.