Mindfulness WithInn
A meditation retreat that accommodates everyone, whether you are beginning or deepening your practice.
Retreat Dates
Three-Night Retreat
November 8 – 10, 2026
Five-Night Retreat
April 4 – 8, 2027
Give yourself the gift of this present moment. Your body-mind already knows how to relax and rejuvenate — you just need to provide yourself with time and a little prompting. Mindfulness WithInn is a meditation retreat that welcomes everyone, whether you are beginning a practice or have been meditating for decades.
In addition to traditional sitting meditations, we will introduce participants to some of the best tools of ancient wisdom and modern science for unlocking new depths of living. We explain the biology and neuroscience behind these techniques, since understanding what is happening in the body helps us to more fully benefit from the practices. By inviting folks to reflect in writing and in dialogue, we will solidify our experiences and connect more fully with ourselves and one another.
Your Host
Justin Maaia
For the past twenty years, Justin Maaia has been teaching meditation and other techniques of self-awareness and growth. He quickly learned that the relationships formed during these practices have as much of an impact as the techniques themselves. This insight became the basis of the experiential relational journaling practice that marks his retreats.
Justin most recently taught at the National Cathedral School, where he honed the relational journaling method and helped to develop a fieldwork study of religious diversity in the greater Washington area. At his previous school, he built a retreat program for grades 8-12. He also served as Visiting Scholar at the Center for Spiritual and Ethical Education (CSEE), publishing Starting Points for Teaching World Religions, a guide for teachers, interfaith practitioners, and anyone learning about religion.
Justin holds degrees from Suffolk University (B.A.) and Boston University (M.A.), a 60-hour certificate from the Sarah and Ty Powers Insight Yoga Institute, and is the recipient of the Olmsted Prize for Excellence in Teaching from Williams College.
The Sessions
Each session includes meditation, written self-reflection, and an invitation to dialogue.
Three-Night Retreat — Six Sessions
November 8 – 10, 2026
SESSION ONE
Retreating
Designing rest: what are the rules of your retreat? Skyscape–Mindscape: "just noticing" as meditation. Meditation is not what you think — phenomenological and neurological pictures.
SESSION TWO
The Ethics of Retreat
Do we have an ethical duty to go on retreat? Why does every meditation tradition have ethics as its basis? What is your ethic, what are your core values?
SESSION THREE
Mindful Eating
When you eat an orange, what are you really eating? Engaging in Thich Nhat Hanh's mindful eating practice, we learn how we bring meditation into every moment of our lives.
SESSION FOUR
Through Whose Eyes?
Through whose eyes do we see ourselves — our parents', friends', coworkers', childrens', our own? Through whose eyes do we like ourselves best? What obstacles do we face, and how can meditation help?
SESSION FIVE
What Makes You Come Alive?
What is awe? How does it affect our bodies and minds? How can we experience it, and how can we tap into the depths of awe even after the moment has passed?
SESSION SIX
Reentry
Revisiting your retreat design: what worked well? What can we take with us into our workaday lives, and how? Take-home techniques.
Five-Night Week — Ten Sessions
April 4 – 8, 2027
SESSION ONE
Retreating
Designing rest: what are the rules of your retreat? Skyscape–Mindscape: "just noticing" as meditation. Meditation is not what you think — phenomenological and neurological pictures.
SESSION TWO
The Ethics of Retreat
Do we have an ethical duty to go on retreat? Why does every meditation tradition have ethics as its basis? What is your ethic, what are your core values?
SESSION THREE
Mindful Eating
When you eat an orange, what are you really eating? Engaging in Thich Nhat Hanh's mindful eating practice, we learn how we bring meditation into every moment of our lives.
SESSION FOUR
Accepting This Present Moment
What is the difference between "just noticing" and "concentration" meditations? What are the advantages and disadvantages of each? Practicing the technique of "just noticing."
SESSION FIVE
Transcending This Present Moment
What are some techniques to aid in concentration meditation? How can we, and when should we, use concentration?
SESSION SIX
Through Whose Eyes?
Through whose eyes do we see ourselves — our parents', friends', coworkers', childrens', our own? Through whose eyes do we like ourselves best? What obstacles do we face when trying to see ourselves this way, and how can meditation help?
SESSION SEVEN
What Makes You Come Alive?
What is awe? How does it affect our bodies and minds? How can we experience it, and how can we tap into the depths of awe even after the moment has passed?
SESSION EIGHT
Unity and Diversity
The more we explore our interior selves, the more we discern and claim our own lives and worldviews. As we see ourselves and others more clearly, we become more aware of both similarities and differences. How can we understand and make room for others as we claim our own deepening sense of self?
SESSION NINE
Sacred Space
How many televisions do you have in your house? How many altars? People from various religions have altars or other sacred spaces in their homes. What are the advantages and disadvantages of having a space set apart? Do you have such a space — and if not, what would it look like if you created one?
SESSION TEN
Reentry
Revisiting your retreat design: what worked well? What can we take with us into our workaday lives, and how? Take-home techniques.
Sessions and topics subject to change.
The Details
Two retreat formats, the same warm and unhurried feel.
Daily Rhythm — Three Night Retreat
Sunday: Arrive after 3pm. Welcome mixer and opening activity.
Monday: Two sessions (Ethics, Mindful Eating)
Tuesday: Two sessions (Through Whose Eyes, What Makes You Come Alive)
Wednesday: Closing session (Reentry), then check out by 11am
Sessions: 90 minutes each, low-pressure and conversational
Always: Free time to write, walk, read, or sit in meditation
Daily Rhythm — Five Night Retreat
Sunday: Arrive after 3pm. Welcome mixer and opening session.
Morning sessions: 10am to 11:30am
Afternoon sessions: 4:30pm to 6pm
Sessions: 90 minutes each, low-pressure and conversational
Friday: Breakfast, closing session, then check out by 11am
Always: Free time to write, walk, read, or sit in meditation
What Is Included
Five nights (or three) at the Lakehouse Inn
Breakfast each morning
Ten guided sessions (or six)
Sunday welcome mixer
Snacks, fruit, and cheese during sessions
Wine with afternoon sessions
A small, supportive group of meditators at every level
Pricing
Per attendee, single occupancy. Includes lodging, breakfast, all sessions, refreshments, and the Sunday welcome mixer.
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A second attendee sharing the same room: 50% off.
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A non-participating partner sharing a room: $50 per night, breakfast only. Non-participating guests do not attend sessions, the welcome mixer, or other retreat events.
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Retreat Attendees who are staying as registered guests at the inn receive first priority. Attendees who will not be staying as registered guests at the inn are confirmed on a space-available basis.
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11.7% hotel tax will be added to all rates and fees.
Policies & House Rules
Off-Season Services
Housekeeping: light touchups on request only
Front desk: 1pm to 4pm daily
Bar: open during front desk hours only
Deposit & Cancellation
Retreat Attendees who are staying as registered guests at the inn: $500 deposit, balance due 6 weeks before
Refundable until 6 weeks before the retreat
Attendees who will not be staying as registered guests at the inn: full fee at registration
Non-refundable thereafter
Minimum enrollment required to run a retreat
House Rules
All guests must be 21 or over
No pets
No smoking
A lake waiver must be signed at check-in or, for attendees not staying at inn, when they first arrive at inn. Guests and attendees who refuse to sign lake waiver will not be permitted on property, and not offered a refund.
All policies as stated at lakehouseinnlee.com/policies are strictly enforced.