HAND-PICKED EXPERIENCES

Editor's Picks

Curated events selected by the BrightStar team — transformational gatherings worth your time.

11 events curated

Wellness & Mindfulness

Mind/Body: Contemplative Art Viewing

This mindful art experience at the Fowler Museum invites visitors to engage with visual culture through a contemplative lens, blending museum exploration with meditative practice. Participants will slow down and observe artworks with intention, using principles of mindfulness to deepen their aesthetic and emotional connection to the pieces on view. The session bridges the gap between wellness practices and cultural engagement, offering a unique way to experience art as a form of inner exploration. Ideal for those seeking to integrate mindfulness into their everyday activities and discover how art can serve as a tool for presence and reflection.

Fri, Oct 2, 2026The Fowler Museum at UCLA, Los Angeles

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mindfulness

Family Mindfulness Day

A half-day gathering at the Sharpham estate for families exploring mindfulness together. Led by two experienced teachers who are also parents, the program weaves meditation, play, and nature connection into a morning designed for both children and adults. The day accommodates different family dynamics, with separate tracks for younger children with caregivers, older children with some independence, and adults deepening their own practice. A shared vegan and gluten-free soup provides a communal meal at midday. Participants walk woodland paths, sit in meditation, and engage in activities that cultivate presence and attention. This is suitable whether you have an established family practice or are beginning to explore mindfulness together.

Sat, Oct 3, 2026Sharpham House, Totnes

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mindfulness

Coming Home to Yourself

This weekend workshop explores the integration of contemplative practice with the texture of everyday life. Led by Aditi Shah, the program addresses a common tension: how to honor mindfulness commitments while navigating work, relationships, and decision-making in real time. Rather than treating meditation as separate from daily existence, participants develop a sustainable approach that weaves intentional practice into the fabric of their actual circumstances. Through structured lectures, peer dialogue, and reflective writing, the workshop invites attendees to examine their relationship with themselves across time, and to design a way of living that feels both grounded in their values and genuinely sustainable. The goal is not transformation but alignment, helping participants stay anchored amid life's pace.

Fri, Oct 9, 2026Omega Institute, Rhinebeck

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mindfulness

Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT) with Chris Molnar and Alissa Yamasaki

Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT) with Chris Molnar and Alissa Yamasaki at Omega Institute — Rhinebeck

Sun, Oct 11, 2026Omega Institute, Rhinebeck

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Meditation & Mindfulness Retreat

90 Day Rains Retreat 2026–27

This immersive three-month retreat at Plum Village France invites practitioners to deepen their mindfulness practice within a contemplative community setting. Rooted in the Plum Village tradition of Zen Buddhism, participants will engage in daily meditation, mindful movement, and communal living while learning to cultivate harmony with themselves, each other, and the natural world. The Rains Retreat—a monastic practice dating back centuries—offers a rare opportunity to step away from ordinary life and experience sustained, supported spiritual practice in one of Europe's most established mindfulness communities.

Tue, Oct 13, 2026Plum Village France

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mindfulness

Meditation Party with Dan Harris, Sebene Selassie, and Jeff Warren

Meditation Party with Dan Harris, Sebene Selassie, and Jeff Warren at Omega Institute — Rhinebeck

Fri, Oct 16, 2026Omega Institute, Rhinebeck

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Meditation & Mindfulness Retreat

Rains Retreat 2026-27 Short-Term Stays

Plum Village's Rains Retreat offers seekers a chance to step away from daily life and deepen their meditation practice within a thriving monastic community. During these short-term stays, participants immerse themselves in mindful living—waking with the sangha, practicing walking and sitting meditation, sharing meals in silence, and engaging in meaningful work practice. This is an ideal entry point for those new to residential retreat life, as well as experienced practitioners looking to renew their commitment to the Dharma in the serene setting of Plum Village's French monastery.

Fri, Oct 16, 2026Plum Village France

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Wellness & Mindfulness

Soul Lounge: Crescent Moon Labyrinth Walk

Soul Lounge invites seekers to experience a meditative journey through the Crescent Moon Labyrinth at Peace Awareness Labyrinth and Gardens in Los Angeles. This contemplative walking practice combines the ancient tradition of labyrinth navigation with modern wellness consciousness, offering participants a grounded way to connect with themselves and the natural world. Whether you're exploring mindfulness for the first time or deepening an existing practice, the labyrinth walk provides a gentle, non-denominational space for reflection and inner peace. The evening setting under the crescent moon creates an intimate, restorative atmosphere perfect for those seeking to slow down and reconnect.

Fri, Oct 16, 2026Peace Awareness Labyrinth and Gardens, Los Angeles

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mindfulness

United and Present: A Mindful Approach to UN Work and Beyond

Wed, Dec 9, 2026TBA

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Wellness & Mindfulness Retreat

7-Day Retreat at Healing Spring

This all-gender retreat at Healing Spring Monastery offers a rare opportunity to practice alongside monastic brothers in a contemplative setting. Rooted in mindfulness traditions, the program emphasizes simplicity, rest, and the nourishing power of collective peace and togetherness. Participants will find space to slow down from daily life and deepen their spiritual practice through guided meditation, communal meals, and the gentle rhythms of monastic living. This is an ideal retreat for both beginners seeking introduction to mindfulness practice and experienced practitioners looking to renew their connection to a living sangha.

Fri, Dec 11, 2026Healing Spring Monastery

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Mindfulness & Meditation Retreat

Christmas Holiday Retreat

Step away from the holiday rush and into a week of mindful presence at Plum Village's Christmas Holiday Retreat. From December 21–28, 2026, practitioners of all levels gather at this renowned monastic community in France to explore the intersection of spiritual practice and joyful celebration. Rooted in Thich Nhat Hanh's teachings on mindfulness and compassionate living, the retreat offers guided meditation, dharma talks, and communal meals—a chance to reconnect with what the season truly means while honoring the simplicity and interconnection at the heart of mindful living. Whether you're a longtime practitioner or new to mindfulness, this retreat invites you to celebrate the holidays in a way that nourishes the soul and strengthens your practice.

Mon, Dec 21, 2026Plum Village France

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