Anacortes Mindfulness Community

### Context Profile for Anacortes Mindfulness Community

1. **Organization Mission & Cause**:
   - **Mission**: The Anacortes Mindfulness Community is dedicated to fostering mindfulness practices and creating a supportive community that encourages personal growth and well-being. Their mission emphasizes the importance of mindfulness in daily life and aims to provide resources and opportunities for individuals to engage in mindfulness practices.
   - **Cause**: They focus on promoting mental health, emotional resilience, and community connection through mindfulness meditation and related activities.

2. **Type of Activities**:
   - **Events**: The organization hosts mindfulness retreats, workshops, and community gatherings aimed at enhancing mindfulness practices among participants.
   - **Fundraising Campaigns**: They engage in fundraising efforts, such as the "What Do I Do Now?" post-retreat Dana, which encourages participants to support the community financially after attending retreats.
   - **Community Programs**: Regular mindfulness sessions and group meditations are organized to foster community engagement and support.

3. **Tone of Voice**:
   - The tone of the website and communications is **friendly**, **supportive**, and **inspiring**. The language is approachable, aiming to create a welcoming atmosphere for individuals of all backgrounds. The content is designed to resonate emotionally with readers, encouraging them to participate in mindfulness practices.

4. **Emoji Usage**:
   - The website does not prominently feature emojis in its content. However, in email communications, there may be occasional use of emojis to convey warmth and friendliness, though this is not a primary feature of their messaging.

5. **Key Facts**:
   - **Founding Info**: Specific founding details were not explicitly mentioned on the website, but the organization appears to be relatively new, focusing on building a community around mindfulness.
   - **Scale**: The organization has hosted at least one retreat and has conducted multiple email campaigns to engage with participants.
   - **Impact Metrics**: While specific metrics were not detailed on the website, the community's impact can be inferred through participant testimonials and engagement levels in events.
   - **Volunteer Info**: Information about volunteer opportunities is likely available, but specific details were not highlighted on the website.

6. **Writing Guidelines**:
   - **Style**: Use a conversational and warm tone that invites readers to engage with mindfulness practices. Avoid overly formal language; instead, opt for friendly and relatable expressions.
   - **Content Structure**: Begin with a welcoming introduction, followed by clear and concise information about events or initiatives. Use personal anecdotes or testimonials to enhance relatability.
   - **Call to Action**: Encourage participation and support in a gentle yet motivating manner, emphasizing the community aspect of mindfulness practice.

### Summary
The Anacortes Mindfulness Community is focused on creating a supportive environment for mindfulness practices. Their communications are friendly and inviting, aiming to foster a sense of belonging and personal growth. Future content should align with this tone and emphasize community engagement and the benefits of mindfulness.

LXCL:You will receive a short email saying you have registered. Following that, be patient for your e-ticket link and formal notification to arrive; it can take up to 30 minutes!

Early Bird Registration

LXCL:Your ticket includes your room for 5 nights, and meals including a sack lunch at check-out on the last day of the retreat.. You will receive a quick notification when you register, followed by an email with a link to your e-ticket. Be patient, it can take up to 30 minutes for that to arrive in your inbox!

Registration

Hi <span data-custom-variable="{{firstname}}" fr-original-class="fr-deletable styled-tag-chip" fr-original-style="" style="color: rgb(42, 42, 196); overflow-wrap: anywhere; user-select: none; background-color: rgb(248, 248, 255); border: 1px solid rgb(191, 191, 255); border-radius: 4px; margin: 0px; padding: 1px 8px; font-size: 11px; display: inline-block; box-sizing: inherit;">First name , Thank you for registering for our retreat! &nbsp; We look forward to deepening our practice together with you in this lovely Pacific Northwest center. &nbsp; If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to email us! &nbsp; &nbsp; You will find maps and more facilities information on the Samish Island Campground website at <a fr-original-style="" href="http://campsamish.org-us/about-us/#facilities" rel="noopener noreferrer" style="text-decoration-color: currentcolor; user-select: auto; box-sizing: inherit;" target="_blank">http://campsamish.org-us/about-us</a>&nbsp; For information on our cancellation/refund policy for this retreat, please visit our policy page at&nbsp; <a fr-original-style="" href="https://www.anacortesmindfulness.org/retreatcancellation.html" rel="noopener noreferrer noopener noreferrer" style="text-decoration-color: currentcolor; user-select: auto; box-sizing: inherit;" target="_blank">https://www.anacortesmindfulness.org/retreatcancellation.html</a> A reminder/welcome letter with lists of &quot;what to bring&quot; will arrive later, so watch for update emails with important information as we get close to the retreat date.&nbsp;Please do email if you have any questions! Sandra Starbuck, Registraranacortes.mindful@gmail.com

<img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/hxn9dbuhd/image/upload/v1778806715/wysiwyg/sbgrpszfpzaulxxoqus7.jpg" style="width:600px;display:block;vertical-align:top;margin:5px auto;text-align:center;cursor:pointer;padding:0px 1px;user-select:none;position:relative;box-sizing:inherit;max-width:100%" /> The practice of silence has never been more important than now. Our noisy world and busy minds need silence to be healthy. Silence is our refuge, our healing space, and a gift we offer ourselves and others. Join us as we explore how silence can support our lives and practices. We'll see how inner silence wakes us up, and how outer silence transforms us into effective listeners. This retreat offers a direct experience of the joy, peace, and intimacy of silence.   All are welcome to join this 5-night (6-day) silent retreat in the <a href="https://plumvillage.org/#filter=.region-na" target="_blank">Plum Village Zen tradition of Thich Nhat Hanh</a> at the beautiful <a href="https://www.campsamish.org/" target="_blank">Samish Island Campground and Retreat Center</a>.  Participants will also have the opportunity to receive transmission of the Five Mindfulness Trainings. The retreat will be led by Plum Village Dharma Teacher Karla Johnston and longtime Order of Interbeing members Michael Melancon and Jonathan Prescott, who collectively bring over 120 years of spiritual practice experience.  See below for more information and bios on our teachers.   <hr /><div> </div><p style="box-sizing:border-box;margin:0px;padding:0px;border:0px;outline:0px;text-size-adjust:100%;vertical-align:baseline;overflow-wrap:normal;font-style:normal;font-variant-ligatures:normal;font-variant-caps:normal;font-weight:500;letter-spacing:normal;orphans:2;text-align:left;text-indent:0px;text-transform:none;widows:2;word-spacing:0px;-webkit-text-stroke-width:0px;white-space:normal;text-decoration-thickness:initial;text-decoration-style:initial;max-width:100%">LODGING<ul><li>45 heated “rustic cabins” with built-in bunks  – 2 bathhouses service the rustic cabins.  Most of the cabins are "upgraded" with newer mattresses.</li><li>16 ADA "E" Cabins (4-plex cabins with shared restrooms).  </li><li>19 recreational vehicle spaces with full hookups</li><li>Many areas are available for tents</li><li>2 campground-style restrooms &amp; showers You will need to bring your own sleeping bag or bedding, as well as a pillow and towel(s).  Cabins are not shared at this retreat, you will have your own space.  Please bring a flashlight as the days in October are becoming shorter.  For more information about the facilities and to view a map, visit the <a href="https://www.campsamish.org/about-us/#Facilities" target="_blank">Samish Island Campground and Retreat website</a>. Our daily gatherings will be in the CFC building.   </li><li><hr />EXTRA DETAILS</li><li>~ If you have a meditation cushion and can bring it, please do so.   We only have a very small number for folks to use.    Chairs are available.</li><li> </li><li>~ Transportation:  Refer to the address and map for driving directions.  If flying,  the <a href="https://airporter.com/shuttle/schedules/anacortes-san-juan-islands/" target="_blank"> Bellair Airporter Shuttle</a> is available from either SeaTac Airport or Bellingham Airport, to Burlington, and from there to downtown Anacortes (bus change required in Burlington.) Let us know if you need a ride from either Burlington or Anacortes, and we will help you arrange carpooling.  </li><li> </li><li>~ Arrival time: Check-in time is 4 pm, and cabin assignments will be given at that time.  You may arrive anytime after 2:30 pm and are welcome to walk the trails, explore the area, and of course, help us with setting up the Zendo and getting things ready, but the check-ins won't begin until 4 pm.    Late arrivals the evening of the 16th are ok, just let us know. For late arrivals the following day - please <a href="mailto:anacortes.mindful@gmail.com">contact us</a> for information.   Please see <a href="https://www.anacortesmindfulness.org/retreatcancellation.html" target="_blank">information on our cancellation/refund policy. </a> Questions? <a href="mailto:anacortes.mindful@gmail.com">Email us</a> Need to request a scholarship to help cover the registration? <a href="mailto:anacortes.mindful@gmail.com">Email us</a></li></ul><hr /><img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/hxn9dbuhd/image/upload/v1779646280/wysiwyg/w7cvt2geskmnf6hdfy6x.jpg" style="width:277px;display:inline-block;vertical-align:bottom;margin-right:5px;margin-left:5px;text-align:center;cursor:pointer;padding:0px 1px;user-select:none;position:relative;box-sizing:inherit;max-width:100%" />Karla Johnston, Chân Bi Trú (True Compassionate Dwelling), is a Dharma Teacher in the <a href="https://plumvillage.org/about/thich-nhat-hanh" target="_blank">Thich Nhat Hanh Plum Village tradition</a>. She is an ordained member of the <a href="https://orderofinterbeing.org/" target="_blank">Order of Interbeing</a>. Karla is the Executive Director of <a href="https://www.wisecaregiving.org/" target="_blank">Wise Caregiving,</a> a non-profit dedicated to helping people become effective, sustainable, and empathetic caregivers. She is a certified mindfulness facilitator with a degree in counseling, passionately serving marginalized communities in hospitals, education, addiction/recovery, and incarcerated spaces for over 30 years.  Karla founded Lake Tahoe Mindfulness Community in 2014 and Lotuses in the Mud Recovery Community in 2021. When not serving her communities, Karla writes poetry and reflective pieces for her <a href="https://innerconstellation.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">blog</a>. She is a <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0TMSWUyKUSk" target="_blank">TEDx speaker.</a>_______________________________________________________________________________________________________ <img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/hxn9dbuhd/image/upload/v1743033926/wysiwyg/s5bkdazmygkrovcjbtzr.jpg" style="width:259px;display:block;vertical-align:top;margin:5px auto 5px 0px;text-align:left;box-sizing:initial;cursor:pointer;padding:0px 1px;user-select:none;position:relative;max-width:100%" /> Jonathan Prescott, BCC BCCC BCPC is a Board Certified Clinical Chaplain and Pastoral Counselor.  As a long time <a href="http://www.orderofinterbeing.org/">ordained</a> student of <a href="https://plumvillage.org/thich-nhat-hanh/" target="_blank">Zen Master Thich Nhat Hanh</a>,  Jonathan has studied with Dharmacharya Eileen Kiera and Jack Duffy Roshi at The Mountain Lamp Community and with Frank Ostaseski of the <a href="http://www.mettainstitute.org/">Metta Institute</a> and <a href="https://www.zenhospice.org/">Zen Hospice Project</a>. He integrates the Buddhist psychology of <a href="https://www.ordinarymind.com/charlotte-joko-beck" target="_blank">Charlotte Joko Beck</a> into his practice and teaching. Jonathan offers workshops and retreats to help caregivers become more openhearted, effective, and joyful.  He has served as Chaplain in hospice, cancer care, and hospital settings.  During Jonathan’s 40-year spiritual practice, he’s led and served many organizations in the Buddhist, Quaker and non-profit realms. At home in the San Juan Islands of Washington, Jonathan relishes the peaceful solitude of his small farm.  Jonathan is the author of <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Road-Freedom-Learning-Drive-Kindness-ebook/dp/B07SR82P9G/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=Jonathan+Prescott&amp;qid=1560275400&amp;s=gateway&amp;sr=8-1">The Road To Freedom: Learning To Drive With Joy And Kindness.</a> <hr /><div><div><div><table><tbody><tr><td> </td></tr></tbody></table><img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/hxn9dbuhd/image/upload/v1779731468/wysiwyg/twetoswtk13yfsdxcyna.jpg" style="width:241px;display:inline-block;vertical-align:bottom;margin-right:5px;margin-left:5px;text-align:center;cursor:pointer;padding:0px 1px;user-select:none;position:relative;box-sizing:inherit;max-width:100%" /></div>Reverend Michael Melancon is intimate with the practice, lifestyle, and path to awakening embodied in Zen Buddhism. He began practicing Zen in 1991 and has been a student of Zen Master Thich Nhat Hanh since taking the Five Wonderful Precepts in 1995. As a member of the Order of Interbeing since 2005, he embraces the fullness of life through contemplative practice and present moment awareness. He is a professional contemplative caregiver who has served as a hospice volunteer and hospital chaplain for nearly 20 years. He received chaplaincy ordination with a specialty in end-of-life care from Roshi Joan Halifax in 2011 at Upaya Zen Institute. His primary teachers have been Thich Nhat Hanh, Dharmacharya Eileen Kiera, and her husband, Jack Duffy Roshi. Michael knows and promotes the value of practicing in a vibrant spiritual community and deepening through silent meditation retreats in the Plum Village, Japanese Zen, and Vipassana traditions.  He is a sangha builder who has served as a guiding practice leader and board member for various sanghas, including Morning Light Sangha (online), Two Palms Up Sangha in Palm Springs, Mindfulness Community of Puget Sound in Seattle, and Mountain Lamp Community near the Canadian border in Washington State. He has also served as a director on the boards of Wise Caregiving, The Thich Nhat Hanh Foundation, Radiant Light Zen, and the Loving Work Foundation in Viet Nam.</div></div>

Anacortes Mindfulness Community

"The Joy of Silence" - 2026 Fall Retreat

11633 Scott Rd

Early Bird Registration

$675

Registration

$700

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