Friends of California Grief Center,

We owe much to the women who have shaped the path of wisdom, compassion, and resilience, often without recognition. To Joan Halifax, who has stood at the intersection of Buddhism, social justice, and end-of-life care, offering a fierce and tender presence to those facing death, loss, and the unknown. To Sharon Salzberg, whose teachings on loving-kindness meditation have transformed suffering into a doorway for connection, showing us that even in our deepest pain, there is room for compassion. To Pema Chödrön, who has guided countless seekers through life’s most difficult moments, teaching that uncertainty and groundlessness are not to be feared but embraced as pathways to awakening.

May their dedication remind us that wisdom is not inherited—it is cultivated by those who refuse to turn away from suffering, by those who meet pain with an open heart, by those who insist on showing up, again and again, for themselves and for others.

Honoring Women’s Wisdom: A Mindfulness Gathering for International Women’s Day

Mindfulness-Based Grief Relief: Honoring Women’s Wisdom
(Free Virtual Event – Saturday, March 8th, 5:00–6:30 PM PST / 8:00–9:30 PM EST)

Join us tomorrow—Saturday, March 8th, from 5:00 to 6:30 PM (PST) / 8:00 to 9:30 PM (EST)—for a free virtual gathering in celebration of International Women’s Day. This is an evening to honor the wisdom, strength, and enduring contributions of women across generations—a space to reflect, connect, and be present with one another.

We will begin with Jack Kornfield’s Healing Temple guided meditation, a deeply restorative practice that invites healing, emotional release, and a return to wholeness. From there, we’ll move into a gentle, guided mindfulness meditation, followed by an interactive discussion and reflection on the often unseen and unspoken work of women—what they have carried, what they have healed, and what they continue to offer the world.

This event is open to all. Whether you come to honor a particular woman in your life, to sit in quiet solidarity, or to share your own experience, your presence matters.

🔗Register Here

About Mindfulness-Based Grief Relief (MBGR)

This gathering is rooted in Mindfulness-Based Grief Relief, an approach that integrates mindfulness practices with grief work, helping individuals navigate loss with greater awareness, self-compassion, and emotional resilience. Drawing from Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) and Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT), MBGR supports the mind, body, and heart in the face of loss—whether personal, collective, or ancestral.

We look forward to being in community with you.

Five Years of HOPE: A Celebration with Trudy Goodman

Mindfulness, Deep Suffering & Finding Light in the Darkness
(Free Virtual Event – Saturday, March 29th, 10:00–11:30 AM PST)

Five years ago, the Mindfulness and Deep Suffering HOPE Group (Healing Ourselves through the Present Experience) began as a small refuge for those carrying heavy hearts. It has since grown into a steady, compassionate gathering—a space where grief, resilience, and presence meet.

To honor this milestone, we are welcoming back Trudy Goodman—renowned mindfulness teacher, psychotherapist, and founding teacher of InsightLA—for her annual dharma talk. Trudy has been a guiding force in bringing mindfulness into Western therapy and secular spaces, weaving Buddhist wisdom with modern mental health practice. In a time when the world feels particularly unsteady, her voice is a grounding presence.

We will begin with a guided meditation, followed by Trudy’s reflections on staying present amidst uncertainty. From there, we will open space for connection, sharing, and bearing witness to one another—because sometimes, the simplest act of being together can shift the weight we carry.

Come as you are—hopeful, exhausted, somewhere in between. Let’s navigate this moment, together.

🔗Register Here

Upcoming Opportunities for Connection

💛 Mindfulness-Based Grief Relief (MBGR) Practice Group

Healing Ourselves through the Present Moment (HOPE)

📅 Next Virtual Session: Saturday, April 26 | 10:00 AM (PT) | 1.5 hours (Zoom)

🔗Register Here

At the California Grief Center, we offer grief therapy and group experiences designed to support you through loss. Visit www.caligrief.com to learn more about our services and upcoming events.

With care and compassion,

Brian Stefan, LCSW

Founder, California Grief Center