Our Story
Marianne: The seed of Monterey Bay Meditation Studio began to germinate when I became aware, through my work as a therapist and mindfulness teacher, that there was a need to create a secular space for what every wisdom tradition teaches — the essential value of being aware and being kind, with the recognition that all beings are connected.
Katie: Meanwhile, I had trained in teaching mindfulness meditation and was leading groups in local parks and schools, just beginning to awaken to my own call to be of service in building community.
Katie and Marianne: Through friends in common, we met, and a few months later, the seed found its space to grow and flourish. Monterey Bay Meditation Studio came into the world in January 2016 in a cozy space overlooking Monterey Bay in Pacific Grove, California.
As founding teachers, the two of us share common values, with a strong wish to be of service, to help us remember who we are and how we’re wanting to be, in order to experience more ease and wellbeing. As we created and cultivated the structure, offerings, and energy of the Studio, there were plenty of opportunities to practice being aware and being kind. Sharing the value of providing a safe space for individuals to heal, learn, grow and transform, we co-created structures and guidelines for the community. When differences in perspective arose, we met them as a “growing edge” and an invitation to walk the talk of skillful communication and mindful relating.
Five years out and counting, the Studio has evolved in ways that we could and could not imagine— moving from a physical space to the world of online learning, and, at the same time, creating a container in which deep and meaningful relationships began to blossom. The focus of the teachings expanded from introducing mindfulness and meditation to span six Pathways: Mindfulness & Meditation, Personal Growth, Relationships, Nature, Spirituality, and Evolution of Consciousness.
From the base of cultivating a healthy relationship with self, we as a community continue to expand our circle of caring to our relationships with other humans and with the Earth and all her beings. Whether the field is the community of the Studio or the community of the globe, we are dedicated to inviting reciprocity and reverence in all relationships — being aware and being kind, with the recognition that all beings are connected.
What We Offer
We offer opportunities to develop, sustain, and deepen your meditation practice while helping to create a diverse and supportive community of people interested in being, learning, and evolving.
With an eye on providing a safe, comfortable environment for practice, growth, and community, we at Monterey Bay Meditation Studio are committed to making mindfulness and compassion both accessible and relevant. With an intention of cultivating awareness and kindness as way of being in the world, we offer a variety of classes, workshops and retreats based on secular teaching, ancient wisdom, and current application.
In addition to guided and silent sittings, we provide opportunities for awakening the senses through nature, opening the heart through relationship, cultivating body awareness through movement, nourishing the soul through creative process, and developing community through shared exploration.
Our overall intention is to cultivate capacity for being aware and being kind.
Who We Serve
Our aim is to provide a safe harbor to support practitioners in beginning, sustaining, and deepening their practice.
For those who are new to meditation, mindfulness, and other contemplative practices, we provide a soft landing with regularly scheduled meditations and classes.
For those who are interested in refreshing and re-energizing their practice, we offer a supportive community dedicated to exploring and discovering together.
For those with an established practice, we offer space for stillness, for investigating new types of practice, and for discussion in service of deepening our wisdom and awareness.
How to Participate
Monthly Classes
We cultivate community by offering monthly classes that provide an easy entry point for practice and learning. Our goal is to offer opportunities to practice that are conveniently scheduled, low-cost, and approachable. With regular attendance, these sessions also help to build relationships and strengthen your individual practice.
Courses, Workshops, & Retreats
Investing time in learning and practicing helps develop a solid foundation for cultivating awareness and engagement. We offer unique day-long and multi-session courses, workshops, and retreats which help build community, deepen experience, and integrate mindfulness and compassion in daily life, relationships, and our actions in the world.
In-Depth Programs
For a deeper dive into a specific realm, we offer several long-term programs that engage a variety of modalities, including meditation, experiential practices, reflection, video resources, group discussion, and online interaction. The duration and depth of these programs promote personal transformation and cultivation of supportive relationships.
“May these offerings be of benefit to everyone involved, and to all the lives they touch. ”