Mindfulness and Strengths Full-Day Retreat: May 20, 2022

Sure. Beautiful settings are a wonderful place to practice and cultivate mindfulness and strengths use. But, our setting should not dictate whether or not we are mindful. Your mindfulness can be expressed wherever you are. We spend most of our days in settings relating to home and work so why not practice mindfulness and strengths use in those settings? That will make your future application more abundant. Ryan Niemiec/VIA Institute have offered nearly 20 MBSP Retreats virtually over the years and past participants have reached a consensus—the retreats are insight-generating, user-friendly, and remarkably applicable and beneficial. Numerous stories of personal transformation have emerged from these online retreats.

Yes. Please contact VIA Customer Service at info@viacharacter.org for more information.

There will be a short orientation to the day, along with foundational points on peace psychology, mindful living, and character strengths. The retreat will include presentations, mindful intentions, weaving strengths into meditation, mindful walking, mindful food preparation and mindful eating. There will be at least three small group discussions. These breakouts will encourage the practice of mindful listening and speaking on retreat focal points, such as the creation of inner peace, relational peace and a strengths-based call-to-action. There will also be short open periods for participants to engage in “mindful strengths use,” where they will be encouraged to focus on their creativity, their gratitude, and their mindful use of other strengths (suggestions will be shared during the retreat).

Nothing is required to bring. A good Internet connection and good audio/camera is recommended. We’ll be doing gentle movements so comfortable clothes may be helpful. For the mindful eating element, you’ll be invited to mindfully prepare your food, snack, or drink so take that into consideration with the timing per your time zone and whether you’ll be at home, work, or elsewhere. But, most of all, bring 1) an open, curious, and accepting mind; and 2) a willingness to share/connect with others across the globe.

Yes. This retreat is hosted on Zoom. The entire retreat will be recorded and shared so you can re-engage with key points or experience any portion of the day you might unexpectedly miss. Live participation during the retreat is highly encouraged.

The Mindfulness and Strengths in Daily Life Course is an 8-session, on-demand course that can help you learn how to authentically engage with your strengths in everyday experiences. Research-based tips show how to actively bring forth the best parts of yourself to become happier, more engaged with life and better prepared to handle stress and challenges. Plus this course includes a personalized report on how to activate the 5 mindfulness skills.

Mindfulness-Based Strengths Practice (MBSP) is a live, 8-week program offered several times throughout the year. Participants learn research-based skills to increase self-awareness, improve relationships and manage problems. Weekly sessions include group discussions, a variety of meditations and experiential activities, strengths practices, lecture/input, and homework exercises. Through the MBSP program, participants can grow in their understanding of who they are and how they bring their best qualities forward in their work, relationships, leisure, and daily life.