About MBEI
What is the Mind Body Ecology Institute?
The Mind Body Ecology Institute (MBEI) is an innovative wellness, educational, and environmental organization dedicated to promoting regenerative sustainable living, social equity, and collective flourishing.
Creating a culture of belonging and healing while inspiring people to think more deeply about the global issues we face and reconciling our relationship with each other and nature is the focus of our work.
MBEI’s programs are uniquely positioned to support radical transformation in the lives of our participants while simultaneously contributing to the sustainability movement.
Our approach draws contemplative science, the humanities, and global Indigenous and Buddhist wisdom together with nature-based meditation and embodiment practices to help us address the related challenges of climate change, environmental degradation, and social inequity.
We hope that people who attend our programs develop a practical sense of interdependence as well as a conceptual understanding of what interdependence involves, along with the ways we can collectively foster the flourishing of Mother Earth and all living beings.
OUR MISSION
Creating a regenerative, equitable, and ecologically harmonious world.
OUR VISION
By transforming ourselves, we can be more responsible citizens of nature.
“There’s a revolution that needs to happen and it starts from inside each one of us.”
— Thich Nhat Hanh
Our Work
We offer a variety of eco retreat programs and workshops designed for transformation, fostering personal insight, well-being, and collective flourishing.
Our multidimensional approach guides participants through three key phases of focus:
Understanding Worldviews
Awareness + Insight
Connection + Action
From this foundation, we choose specific practices, discussions, and activities to best fit the needs and dynamics of each group. This flexible approach allows programs the freedom to operate successfully for as short as a few hours to a few weeks. Our programs and practices center coming into relationship with the Earth as a gateway to deeper understanding and wholeness. Our scholarship fund creates access to retreats and workshops for those with limited financial means.
This is made possible through our multidimensional approach that combines various modalities including:
community building
nature-centered meditation and trauma-informed mindfulness
embodiment practice
storytelling and deep listening
ceremonial practices and creative arts,
intellectual engagement on topics such as self, worldview, interdependence, kinship, equity, injustice, reconciliation, and sustainability.
In this way, participants reawaken connection with nature and are able to envision ways of making a meaningful impact in the world.
As a community-led organization, we have helped individuals transition to more sustainable careers, deepen their understanding of interdependence, and engage in a journey of self-transformation that has far-reaching impacts on their immediate communities, the land, and beyond.
Together, we grow.
Our Core Values
Honoring and respecting the intrinsic dignity and worth of all persons
Awareness, insight, compassion, and trust
Building communities of belonging and growing circles of connection
The Mind Body Ecology Institute is committed to pursuing a more peaceful, equitable, and sustainable future for all.