Center for Mindfulness

Center Base Path
mindfulness

6-Week Introduction to Mindfulness

Overview

Are you...

  • Interested in learning what mindfulness is and how it can benefit you?
  • Curious to learn how mindfulness can fit into your life?
  • Hesitant to commit to a longer program?
  • Eager to explore a variety of practices in a condensed format?
  • Wishing for a mindfulness refresher?

Then our Introduction to Mindfulness course may be right for you!

You may have heard about the benefits of mindfulness in reducing stress and increasing resilience. It has become a widely discussed topic and is being integrated into many settings, including healthcare, K–12 schools, workplaces, professional sports teams, governmental agencies, the military, and correctional systems. The benefits of bringing mindfulness into both work and daily life are increasingly recognized, with research supporting what many people already experience: being more present allows us to notice both the positive and the challenging as they arise. This awareness helps us appreciate what is going well and respond more intentionally to difficulty.

Start your mindfulness journey with us…

  • Be more present and aware in both work and home life
  • Reduce auto-pilot reactivity in stressful situations
  • Enhance attention and connection in communication
  • Offer yourself kindness and compassion in times of challenge
  • Find more happiness in everyday life

In six weekly 90-minute classes, a certified instructor will guide you through a variety of mindfulness practices and show how they can be integrated into daily life. Each session introduces new topics and techniques, including:

  • Sitting Meditation
  • Body Scan Meditation
  • Mindful Movement
  • Mindful Eating
  • Mindful Walking
  • Threat Reactivity & Stress Management
  • The Neuroscience of Mindfulness
  • Taming Digital Distractions
  • Mindful Communication
  • Mindful Self-Compassion

This program provides a strong foundation for participating in more comprehensive offerings such as the 8-week Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) and Mindful Self-Compassion (MSC or SC-MSC) programs.

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Course Objectives 

After this program, participants will be able to:

  • Explain what mindfulness is and what benefits arise from the practice;
  • Utilize a wide range of mindfulness practices;
  • Describe how their thoughts and core beliefs dictate their stress reactivity, and how mindfulness facilitates self-management of that reactivity;
  • Explain where and why mindfulness is beneficial in the workplace;
  • Apply mindfulness practices into both work and life.
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Continuing Education (CE)

  • Continuing education credits are awarded in the following categories: American Psychological Association and Board of Registered Nursing. They are available for an additional $15 fee and you must attend ALL sessions to receive the certificate.
  • Psychologists: UC San Diego Center for Mindfulness is approved by the American Psychological Association to sponsor continuing education for psychologists. The UC San Diego Center for Mindfulness maintains responsibility for this program and its content. 6.0 CE credit.
  • California licensed MFTs, LPCCs, LEPs, LCSWs: This activity is an approved continuing education program by the American Psychological Association. Credit hours may be applied to your license renewal through the California Board of Behavioral Sciences. 6.0 CE credit.
  • Nurses: UC San Diego Center for Mindfulness is approved by the California Board of Registered Nursing to sponsor continuing education. Provider Number CEP16351. 7.0 contact hours.
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Cancellation Policy

A refund (minus your $50 non-refundable/non-transferable deposit) will be made for cancellations submitted in writing up to 7 days prior to the event start date by emailing mindfulness@.ucsd.edu. No refunds will be allowed within 6 days of the event start date.

Please be aware that the registration fee, deposits, and funds are non-transferable to other programs.

In the unlikely event that the course is cancelled, UC San Diego Center for Mindfulness is responsible only for a full refund of the registration fee. In regards to in-person programs, the center is not responsible for any refunds to transportation, hotel accommodations, or any miscellaneous expenses.

Refunds are processed using the same method as the original payment (unless past 180 days).

Contact Email
mindfulness@ucsd.edu
Primary Center
CFM
Focus Areas
Compassion
Mindfulness
Resilience
Stress Management
Price
$375
Pricing Details
EARLY BIRD RATE: $350 (up to 30 days before the start date)

UC San Diego Students/Employees may take the course for $350 ($325 up to 30 days before the start date)
Audience Type
Public
Program Summary
Explore the fundamentals of mindfulness in a flexible, six-week course designed to help you reduce stress, build resilience, and integrate practical awareness into your daily life—without the commitment of a longer program.
Use phased schedule
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Program Session
Tuesdays, 6-7:30PM PT
https://na.eventscloud.com/intromindaug2026
Online
Online
Enrollment requirement

CFM requires a minimum of 10 registrants. Programs with fewer than 10 will be canceled and fully refunded.

5-Night Mindfulness Silent Retreat At Big Bear Retreat Center

Overview

This silent retreat is for those already teaching or interested in teaching mindfulness-based programs such as Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction, Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy, Mindfulness-Based Relapse Prevention Therapy and Mindful Self Compassion. It fulfills the silent retreat prerequisite for all Mindfulness-Based Interventions. In addition, it is open to individuals who would like to further develop their mindfulness meditation practice. Some experience with mindfulness meditation is expected.

This 5-night silent retreat will consist of sustained periods of silence, alternating sitting and walking meditation, with periods of Mindful Movement; (All vital for deepening a personal practice and fundamental to teaching and living a rich full life). There will be possible afternoon sessions exploring the attitudinal foundations of mindfulness with additional meditation practices to foster and strengthen kindness and compassion, and evening talks. The container of Silence, which includes refraining from speaking (except with the teachers as scheduled and as needed) reading, writing, and technology, with the exception of emergencies of course. It is a rare opportunity to slow down and give our hearts and minds some space to access our inner wisdom and compassion.

Join us to nourish and sustain your practice, in a safe environment with experienced teachers.

Objectives

At the completion of this retreat, the participants should be able to:

  • To support and strengthen the practice of mindfulness
  • To reflect on and discuss the importance of embodying the attitudinal foundations of mindfulness and how they inform the practice and teaching of Mindful-Based Programs
  • To strengthen mindful speech and mindful listening as they relate to the process of inquiry
  • To cultivate loving-kindness and self-compassion as foundational components of practice and teaching
Continuing Education

The retreat meets the requirements for teacher training and certification at the Mindfulness-Based Professional Training Institute, University of California at San Diego, the Center for Mindfulness in Medicine, Healthcare and Society, University for Massachusetts and the Center for Mindfulness Studies, Toronto, Canada.

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Participant Guidelines

Silent meditation retreats can be a wonderful opportunity to deepen an existing mindfulness practice, but they can be challenging for those who are very new to the practice. We recommend prior mindfulness training and regular personal practice.

Retreat Location

DetailsInformation
VenueBig Bear Retreat Center
1000 Sugarpine Road
Big Bear, CA 92314

Sample Retreat Schedule

Final schedule will be provided before the retreat. Times are PT.

Sunday Arrival

TimeSchedule
3:00–5:00 PMCheck-in & settling in
5:30 PMDinner
7:00–9:30 PMEvening Session

Monday–Thursday

TimeSchedule
6:15–7:30 AMSit + QiGong
7:30–9:00 AMBreakfast
9:30 AM–12:30 PMPractice
12:30–2:30 PMLunch
2:30–4:45 PMPractice
4:45–5:30 PMDharma Talk
5:30–7:00 PMDinner
7:00–9:30 PMPractice
9:30 PMLights out

Friday

TimeSchedule
6:15–7:30 AMSilent Sit
7:30–9:00 AMBreakfast
9:00 AM–12:30 PMClosing Practice
Lunch is on your own on the final day. Schedule subject to change.

Highly Recommended Reading

Book
The Dharma of Modern Mindfulness — Beth Mulligan

After Buddhism — Stephen Batchelor

True Refuge — Tara Brach

Mindfulness in Plain English — Bhante Henepola Gunaratana

Listening to the Heart — Kittisaro & Thanissara

Loving Kindness — Sharon Salzberg
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Cancellation Policy

A refund (minus your $300 non-refundable/non-transferable deposit) will be made for cancellations submitted in writing up to 30 days prior to the event start date by emailing mindfulness@health.ucsd.edu. No refunds will be allowed within 29 days of the event start date.

Please be aware that the registration fee, deposits, and funds are non-transferable to other programs.

In the unlikely event that the course is cancelled, UC San Diego Center for Mindfulness is responsible only for a full refund of the registration/lodging fee that you paid. In regards to the In-Person Programs/Retreats, the center is not responsible for any refunds to transportation, hotel accommodations, or any miscellaneous expenses.

The refunds are processed in the same method as the payments were submitted (unless past 180 days).

Contact Email
mindfulness@ucsd.edu
Primary Center
CFM
Focus Areas
Mindfulness
Price
$995 + lodging choice
Pricing Details
Lodging is separate (add-on) from the general registration price. You will have two options to choose from:

1. Private room with private bathroom: $1550 (limited)

2. Private room with shared bathroom: $1350

*Requirement: you must choose one of the lodging options while registering (extra charge). You must stay on campus for this retreat.

*Full payment must be made before 45 days of the start date. No partial payments can be made within 45 days of the start date.
Audience Type
Public
Program Summary
Deepen your mindfulness practice in a 5-night silent retreat designed for current and aspiring teachers of mindfulness-based programs. Experience guided meditation, mindful movement, and immersive silence in a supportive environment with expert instructors.
Use phased schedule
Off
Program Session
https://na.eventscloud.com/silentretreatmay2026
1000 Sugarpine Rd, Big Bear, CA 92314
In Person
Enrollment requirement

CFM requires a minimum of 10 registrants. Programs with fewer than 10 will be canceled and fully refunded.

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