What to expect:

Five-day intensive devoted to Mindful Self-Compassion practice and inquiry.
Delicious, vegetarian meals prepared on site by a chef and shared together in a communal dining space.
Rustic accommodations, with shared bedrooms and bathrooms, offering a simple and supportive retreat. environment. The opportunity to share living and practice spaces with others who are also seeking connection, reflection, and self-compassion.
Camping options available for those who prefer to stay closer to the land.
Over 40 acres of serene grounds, ideal for walking, rest, and contemplation.
Located just 45 minutes north of Houston, yet worlds away from daily demands.

Held in a peaceful natural setting, Auspicious Cloud Zen Retreat Center, this retreat is designed to support deep practice, meaningful connection, and time for integration—allowing Mindful Self-Compassion to be experienced not just as a concept, but as a way of being.

About Your Teachers:

Jorge Armesto is a bilingual clinical psychologist, yoga therapist and mindfulness instructor in Massachusetts and Rhode Island, United States, where he works with diverse communities. He is passionate about the intersection of psychology, mindfulness, spirituality, and somatic practices. As a gay Cuban-American man, Jorge’s work seeks to understand how multiple sources of oppression and resiliency intersect and inform the lived experiences of individuals, groups, and communities. Jorge is a Certified Mindful Self-Compassion teacher, Certified Yoga Therapist, and trained MBCT and MBSR Teacher. Jorge is section faculty at the Institute for Meditation and Psychotherapy Certificate Program and Senior Mindfulness Instructor at Cambridge Health Alliance Center for Mindfulness and Compassion. He is the former Educational Director for the Self-Compassion in Psychotherapy (SCIP) Certificate Program and a MSC Teacher Trainer through the Center for Mindful Self-Compassion. Jorge practices in the Thich Nhat Hanh tradition and is a member of the Order of Interbeing. For more information: www.golsowly.com.

Wade Maggert, PhD, LCSW-S, is a psychotherapist, Zen practitioner, and longtime student of the human heart. He has worked at the VA for over a decade and currently directs a mental health program serving Veterans with serious mental illness. He also maintains a private practice specializing in trauma and addiction within the LGBTQ+ community. A member of the Houston Zen Center since 2017, Wade is especially interested in the integration of depth psychology, mindfulness, and embodied healing. He recently completed advanced trainings as both a Somatic Experiencing Practitioner and a Mindful Self-Compassion teacher. For more information: www.drwade.gay.

Jo Sullivan, LMSW, is a purpose-driven nonprofit and social impact leader with more than two decades of experience mobilizing resources and building partnerships to improve community well-being. She currently serves as Executive Director for Project C.U.R.E. Houston, leading global health initiatives that deliver medical equipment and supplies across worldwide. Jo has also held senior leadership roles with organizations including the Houston SPCA, the ASPCA, and USA for UNHCR, advancing compassionate, community-based solutions for both people and animals. Her work bridges philanthropy, government, and grassroots networks to foster sustainable systems change. A Licensed Master Social Worker and Doctor of Social Work candidate at Tulane University, Jo brings a deep commitment to mindfulness, compassion, and social justice to all aspects of her leadership.

Frequently Asked Questions or to Contact our Teachers

This workshop has been approved for continuing education credit for Social Workers, LPCs and LMFTs by the Texas Chapter of the National Association of Social Workers. 25.5 approved units (of which 0 ethics, 0 human populations, and 0 supervision). You will be able to select the CEU option upon checkout!

Cultivating Compassion from Within:

A Five-Day Mindful Self Compassion Intensive