Join us for our
7-Step Deep Resilience Program
Core Team
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Michael Kearney
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Radhule Weininger
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Andrew Smyth
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Karen O’Hara
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Peter Moreno
We need “self-care 2.0” - we need deep resilience.
Given the turbulent times we are living in, we need more than basic self-care. This is true whether we are living with personal challenges, wanting to stay present and engaged with our wounded world, or concerned about the health and well-being of future generations, or all of the above! Many of us practice “self-care 1.0,” meaning doing what we can to reduce stress in the moment and restoring our energy when we are outside the stressful situation. Self-care 1.0 is invaluable and, indeed, essential, but it is simply not enough given the tsunami of suffering so many of us are experiencing. We need “self-care 2.0” - we need deep resilience.
What is “self-care 2.0” — Deep Resilience?
His Holiness the Dalai Lama says, “A tree with strong roots can survive the most violent storm, but the tree cannot grow roots just as the storm appears on the horizon.” We are surrounded by storms on all sides, and, indeed, you or a loved one may be in the midst of one right now. But storms are an inevitable part of life and there will be more in the future, for us and for those we care about. Deep resilience means growing strong roots now, ahead of the next storm, in what is not afraid and does not die. Deep resilience means noticing whatever brings us back into a felt-sense of our interbeingness, and then making this a part of our life.
Deep resilience means realizing that we are indivisible and indispensable parts of a bigger ecosystem than our individual lives and that the quality of our life and the well-being of others depends on this. Deep resilience brings us into a sense of depth and meaning and fosters sustainable compassionate action. In these days, where forces of divisiveness and fear appear at times to have the upper hand, deep resilience, which, in its essence means remembering that we are all kin, and then acting on this, is deep resistance.
In this session, we will introduce a 7-Step Program to Deep Resilience. In each of the ongoing sessions we will explore one of these steps and teach related meditation and nature connection practices. Each participant in the ongoing program will be encouraged to establish (or continue) their own nature connection “sit spot” and meditation practice. We will discuss ways to customize deep resilience practices tomeet personal needs. Participants will have the opportunity to share their experiences and receive supportive feedback.
7 Steps to Deep Resilience
1
2
Setting up – Intention, “sit spot,” & meditation practice
Awakening the heart – Opening up a Field of Care
3
4
Self-care 1.0 – Protecting, resting, restoring
Putting out lateral roots – Healing connections
Putting down deep roots – Experiencing & embodying interdependence
5
Open awareness – Recognizing & resting in the “glow of flow”
6
Sustainable, compassionate action – Being a Field of Care
7
Coming Up! Deep Resilience Weekend Retreat Oct. 10-12, 2025
Use this link https://psychotherapysb.com/2025/08/25/self-care/ to register and reserve lodging at the Sedgwick Reserve in the Santa Ynez Valley, California, for MHP’s Deep Resilience Retreat on “Remembering Who We Really Are: Self-Care 2.0 – Luminous Resilience,” Oct. 10-12, 2025. The retreat is open to all. Therapists may apply for 10 CEUs.
About the Retreat
This retreat is an opportunity to spend time in nature and experience skills and practices that can open us up to a field of care. With guidance from experienced meditation teachers, therapists, and scientists, participants will connect with the luminous ground of their deepest nature and become fields of care for themselves, others, and our world. The Sedgwick Reserve is a world-class research, conservation, and education facility that is part of the University of California reserve system. The setting is rustic/casual.
Fees
Registration: $350 per person, including all sessions, meals, and refreshment breaks. There is no additional charge for therapists who wish to apply for 10 CEUs.
Lodging: Per person, per night fees range from $24 for camping to $48 for Ranch House lodging. (Note: There may be an option to roll out a sleeping bag in a classroom for $10/night.)
Donations/dana will be gratefully accepted to support MHP’s mission, help build a scholarship fund, and express gratitude to our volunteer teachers. View lodging options.
When
Check-in, 4 p.m., Friday, Oct. 10
Check-out, 1 p.m., Sunday, Oct. 12
Waiting List
The number of registrants is capped at 30. We will have a waiting list if/when we exceed the cap.
Faculty
The faculty includes Michael Kearney, MD; Radhule Weininger, PhD; Tom Pinkson, PhD; Nicole (Nikki) Evans, PhD; Miranda Field MFT, Andrew Smyth MFT, and Emily Benaron, MA.
Retreat Schedule – Adjustments may be made
Friday, Oct. 10
Arrive 4-5 p.m. Get settled
5:30-7 p.m. Dinner
7-9 p.m. Evening program
Saturday, Oct. 11
7-8:30 a.m. Yoga/movement. Breakfast.
8:30 a.m.-1 p.m.
Introduction to the Work that Reconnects
Compassionate Presence to Feelings meditation practice
Refreshment break
Talk on attachment theory, secure attachment, and deep remembering
Small break-out groups with faculty facilitators
Guided walkabout
Lunch
1-5 p.m.
Introduction to individual, deep-listening nature quests
Nature quests
Refreshment break
Group sharing on quests
Rest break
5:30-7 p.m.
Dinner
7-9:30 p.m.
Candlelight/eagle feather ceremony
Night moves and closing meditation
Sunday, Oct. 12
7-8:30 a.m.
Yoga/movement and breakfast
8:30 a.m.-1 p.m.
Opening meditations
Going Forth fishbowl practice in small groups.
Closing circle
Lunch. Departure at 1 p.m.
Questions? Please use the registration link to view answers to frequently asked questions (FAQ). More questions? Please write to us at mindfulheartprograms@gmail.com.
Resources
Step 1:
Introduction to sense meditation
Step 2:
Gratitude as an awakening the heart practice
Step 3:
Self-care of Physicians Caring for Patients at the End of Life PDF
Step 4:
Mount, Boston, Cohen, Healing Connections PDF
John Makransky's sustainablecompassion.org, Compassionate Presence to Feelings Practice Audio
Step 5:
Breathing with Leaf Practice with Michael (audio)
Robin Wall Kimmerer is a mother, scientist, decorated professor, and enrolled member of the Citizen Potawatomi Nation. She is the author of "The Serviceberry" and "Braiding Sweetgrass: Indigenous Wisdom, Scientific Knowledge and the Teachings of Plants," which has earned Kimmerer wide acclaim. This short film is part of The Arachne Project, a gathering convened in May 2024 by the Spring Creek Project at Oregon State University, with support by the Shotpouch Foundation. A diverse thinking community of writers, conservation biologists, Indigenous leaders, philosophers and others came together to consider what emerging visions and values should guide conservation practices as the world enters a radically uncertain future. Learn more at https://beav.es/arachne.
Step 6:
Into the Luminous Deep with Radhule (audio)
Step 7:
Deep Resilience Check in
Listening to the Earth with Wolf and Lisa Wahpepah - The Guestbook Project. Wolf and Lisa Wahpepah are second generation in their families to carry a traditional Native American Inter-tribal Fireplace that receives all people for the benefit of all life. They are founders of Descendents of the Earth, a community-based nonprofit whose vision is to preserve the integrity of traditional Native American culture, while promoting non-commercialization of Native teachings. For more information, please see: https://descendantsoftheearth.org/ They recorded this conversation for The Guestbook Project. For more information on this please see: https://guestbookproject.org/
