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Entering into the Silence of Recovery

With Vimalasara Mason-John and Kevin Griffin

May 9 - 12, 2024
Big Bear Retreat Center
A SILENT INSIGHT MEDITATION RETREAT ***Retreat Update: Several financial support spots are available for this retreat. Please contact us if cost is a barrier in any way! guestservices@bigbearretreatcenter.org*** Thursday, May 9th - Sunday, May 12th Registration closes May 1st at 11:59pm Pacific Time Kevin Griffin and Vimalasara are offering an intimate online Q&A to discuss and ask questions Saturday March 30th 12pm - 1:30pm (Pacific). This online event is offered complimentary, by dana(donation).  Learn more about the online event and join here.    All recovery paths are welcome, whether Twelve Step, Recovery Dharma, Eight Step Recovery, substance, process, or relationship-oriented.…
Celeste Young Phillip Moffitt Ease of Letting Go Retreat BBRC Big Bear Retreat Center

The Ease of Letting Go

With Celeste Young and Phillip Moffitt

May 21 - 25, 2024
Big Bear Retreat Center
A Silent Insight Meditation Retreat ***Retreat Update: Several financial support spots are available for this retreat. Please contact us if cost is a barrier in any way! guestservices@bigbearretreatcenter.org*** Tuesday, May 21st - Saturday, May 25th  Registration closes May 13th at 11:59pm Pacific Time Join us in the beautiful San Bernardino mountains for this short insight retreat to refresh the mind and inspire the heart. In this retreat, we will focus on the Buddha’s teaching of non-clinging. The more we practice letting go, compassion, wisdom, and insight begin to blossom. We will strengthen our capacity for continuity of mindfulness and connection…

Developing a Deep Intimacy with Our Experience: Meditation Coalition’s 9th Annual Women’s Retreat

With Sydney Reece and Mary Stancavage

May 25 - 29, 2024
Big Bear Retreat Center
A Silent Meditation Retreat By Meditation Coalition Saturday, May 25th - Wednesday, May 29th  We use an inclusive definition of “woman” and “female” and we welcome trans women, genderqueer women, and non-binary people who are significantly female-identified. Attendees only need to identify as women in a way that’s significant to them. To register and for more details visit Meditation Coalition. The Path to Equanimity Equanimity is one of the beautiful qualities of the heart and is an essential part of the path to liberation–and happiness. Often confused with indifference, equanimity, instead, is being fully engaged. It allows us to be…
Celeste Young Dawn Scott Big Bear Retreat Center BBRC

Equanimity + Metta: The Ground of Wisdom

With Celeste Young and Dawn Scott

June 3 - 9, 2024
Big Bear Retreat Center
A Silent Insight Meditation Retreat Monday, June 3rd - Sunday, June 9th Registration closes May 20th at 11:59pm Pacific Time Join us for an in person retreat in the beautiful San Bernardino mountains and deepen your practice within this secluded setting in nature. In this silent retreat we will focus on the development of equanimity as a ground for skillful cultivation of all the other Brahma Viharas, as well as a support for our mindfulness practice. This ground of wisdom and capacity of heart strengthens our connection with ourselves, with others, and the world around us. There will be time…
Fresh “Lev” White, JD Doyle, René Rivera & Danielle Elizabeth Stevens Creating Joy Trans Retreat Big Bear

Creating Joy in Community Through the Practice of Gratitude and Equanimity

With Fresh "Lev" White, JD Doyle, René Rivera and Danielle Elizabeth Stevens

June 12 - 16, 2024
Big Bear Retreat Center
A Retreat for Trans, Gender Nonconforming, Genderqueer, Non-binary and all gender expansive communities A Silent Meditation Retreat Please join our Mindfulness Retreat for Trans, Gender Nonconforming, Genderqueer, Non-binary and all Gender Expansive communities. Wednesday, June 12th - Sunday, June 16th Registration closes May 29th at 11:59pm Pacific Time This 4-day retreat will be a space grounded in self-care and compassion supporting our healing and resilience at this time in this world. We will offer meditation, mindful movement, and heart-centered practices based on Buddhist principles. Silence will be gently balanced with small and large group discussions. We will cultivate and deepen…

[ONLINE] The Dharma is Made for These Times: An Exploration of the Four Distortions of Perception

With Celeste Young and Ayya Santacitta

June 23, 2024
A very special online half day retreat exploring the four distortions of perception (Vipalassa) Sunday, June 23rd 10:00 am - 1:00 pm Registration closes June 22nd at 11:59pm Pacific Time Ayya Santacitta and Celeste Young will also offer an on land retreat on this same topic, all are invited to attend that retreat as well.  October 20 - 26, 2024 Weaving Ourselves Back into the Fabric of Life: An Exploration of the Four Distortions of Perception The 4 Distortions of Perception: Seeing what is impermanent (anicca) as permanent (nicca ) Seeing what is painful (dukkha) as pleasant (sukha) Seeing what…
meditation hall big bear

Healing the Self, Loving the Self, Forgetting the Self

With Matthew Brensilver

July 9 - 13, 2024
Big Bear Retreat Center
***Retreat Update: This retreat is full with a large waiting list. It is unlikely a spot will be available from a waitlist sign up.*** You may also want to consider: Matthew is leading another retreat this Fall with Beth Sternlieb: Love and Rest September 25 - 30 (several financial support spots available) We are also offering another Dana-based retreat in the Fall with Ayya Santacitta and Celeste Young: An Exploration of the Four Perceptions of Reality October 20 - 26 A Silent Meditation Retreat: Dana-based retreat (donate at any amount) Co-sponsored by Insight Retreat Center (IRC) and Big Bear Retreat…
big bear retreat center meditation retreat

Family Reunion 2024

Flexible Dates
Family Reunion at Big Bear Retreat Center Thursday, August 15th - Sunday, August 18th, 2024 Flexible Arrival and Departure days Activities begin Friday, August 16th FULL SCHEDULE OF ACTIVITIES AVAILABLE SOON Accommodations: The Center consists of several single-story buildings and cabins for dining, meditation and sleeping. Our residence cabins are large furnished and comfortable with 3-4 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms, living rooms, a full kitchen and decks outside in nature for shared use. Meals: The Center provides fresh, healthy meals made with seasonal and organic ingredients. Meals begin with dinner on arrival evening through to breakfast on departure morning.  We…

When Awareness Becomes Natural

With LC Tran and Kim Allen

August 19 - 28, 2024
Big Bear Retreat Center
A Silent Insight Meditation Retreat Monday, August 19th - Wednesday, August 28th Registration closes August 5th at 11:59pm Pacific Time   In this 9-night/10-day retreat, we will explore Vipassana meditation in the practice style of Sayadaw U Tejaniya. Sayadaw’s approach is free from rigid forms, influenced by his previous life as a layperson and his interest in adaptable practice. Nonetheless, his teachings are rigorous, emphasizing Right View, Awareness, and a relaxed, gentle, continuous practice attitude throughout the day.  You will explore how to create conditions for awareness to arise naturally; experience the continuity of meditation practice regardless of your posture…

Dharma Dharma: The Unfolding of Nature (approved registrations only)

With LC Tran

September 4 - 8, 2024
Big Bear Retreat Center
Camping and Awareness in Nature Wednesday, September 4th - Sunday, September 8th Registration closes August 21st at 11:59pm Pacific Time A retreat offered in the Thai forest tradition. Participants must submit an application, interview with the teacher, and be approved to attend. This unique retreat will be offered by Leinchi (LC) Tran as a more informal week of practice in community and nature following the more traditional practices of the Thai forest tradition. Retreatants will be camping (1-2 bedroom spots available), following their own practice routine, and have daily interviews with the teacher. Access to one indoor cabin common space…

Dharma Dharma: The Unfolding of Nature

With LC Tran

September 4 - 8, 2024
Big Bear Retreat Center
Camping and Awareness in Nature Wednesday, September 4th - Sunday, September 8th Registration closes August 21st at 11:59pm Pacific Time A retreat offered in the Thai forest tradition. Participants must submit an application, interview with the teacher, and be approved to attend. This unique retreat will be offered by Leinchi (LC) Tran as a more informal week of practice in community and nature following the more traditional practices of the Thai forest tradition. Retreatants will be camping (1-2 bedroom spots available), following their own practice routine, and have daily interviews with the teacher. Access to one indoor cabin common space…
Pebble Plains Hike Big Bear Retreat Center

Solidarity Economics: A Fall Workshop (title to be updated)

September 8 - 11, 2024
Big Bear Retreat Center
Reimagining our economy for the benefit of all Sunday, September 8th  - Wednesday, September 11th, 2024 Please register by September 1st 11:59PM Pacific   Join us this September for an interactive workshop dialogue where Chris Benner and Manuel Pastor invite us to imagine and create a new sort of solidarity economics – an approach grounded in our instincts for connection and community – and in so doing, actually build a more robust, sustainable, and equitable economy. Solidarity Economics argues that we can change our economy, and the types of results it produces, by changing what we prioritize. In particular, to…

Coming Home to Our Hearts

With Gullu Singh and Louije Kim

September 14 - 19, 2024
Big Bear Retreat Center
A 5-Day Mindfulness Silent Retreat By UC San Diego Center for Mindfulness Saturday, September 14th - Thursday, September 19th  To register and for more details visit UC San Diego Center for Mindfulness.   This silent retreat is for those already teaching or interested in teaching mindfulness-based programs (MBP) such as Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction, Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy, Mindfulness-Based Relapse Prevention Therapy and Mindful Self-Compassion. It fulfills the silent retreat prerequisite for all Mindfulness-Based Interventions. In addition, it is open to individuals who would like to further develop their mindfulness meditation practice. Some experience with mindfulness meditation is expected. The importance of…
Pebble Plains Hike Big Bear Retreat Center

Autumn Gathering of Western Region Retreat Centers

September 21 - 24, 2024
Big Bear Retreat Center
Regeneration and Resiliency A Gathering of Retreat Center Leaders and Staff Focused on Bio-regional Regeneration and Light-hearted Connection with Peers Saturday, September 21st  - Tuesday, September 24th, 2024 Please register by September 14th 11:59PM Pacific   Join us for an exploration on the topic of resilience and connection amongst peers in our regions. We hope to make this joyous, playful, informative, and nourishing!  This Fall we will gather Western Regional Retreat Centers from the US and Canada. We’ll gather to connect deeper as peers, meet each other from nearby regional centers, and discuss topics related to bio-regional sustainability and resiliency.…

Love and Rest 2024

With Beth Sternlieb and Matthew Brensilver

September 25 - 30, 2024
Big Bear Retreat Center
A Silent Insight Meditation Retreat Wednesday, September 25th - Monday, September 30th Registration closes September 11th at 11:59pm Pacific Time We often long for love, both giving and receiving, but the busyness of life and the agitation of our minds do not create the conditions for love to arise. In dharma practice, we find love naturally arises when we rest deeply. When we let go of the dissatisfaction of endless grasping, we experience loving awareness itself. As we do this, we discover what’s been waiting there all along, a softening of the heart, a truly satisfying love. The daily rhythm…

The Rhythm of Connection: Embracing Quietude and Mindful Communication

With Ofosu Jones-Quartey, Anthony "T" Maes and Devon Sangster Rath

October 9 - 13, 2024
Big Bear Retreat Center
A Relational Mindfulness Retreat Wednesday, October 9th - Sunday, October 13th Registration closes September 25th at 11:59pm Pacific Time Join us for a transformative retreat that thoughtfully balances the power of silence with the art of communication, all taught through a trauma-informed lens. Our program is uniquely designed, dedicating half of our time to silent meditation and somatic expression, and the other half to engaging in relational mindfulness through thoughtful speaking and interaction. This approach allows for a deeper, more compassionate exploration of both self-reflection and mindful communication. We look forward to guiding you on this balanced and empathetic journey,…

The Sure Heart’s Release

With Dave Smith and Erin Treat

October 14 - 19, 2024
Big Bear Retreat Center
A Silent Insight Meditation Retreat Monday, October 14th - Saturday, October 19th Registration closes September 30th at 11:59pm Pacific Time The primary focus of teachings throughout this retreat will draw upon the timeless instructions from the Satipatthana Sutta, the heart of the Buddha's instructions for the establishment of Mindfulness. Together, we will explore various methods for attending to our experience with kindness and wisdom that lead to the sure heart’s release: the purification of conduct, the purification of mind, and the development of insight. The cultivation of these qualities direct us to a radiant heart of freedom.   Held within…

Weaving Ourselves Back into the Fabric of Life: An Exploration of the Four Distortions of Perception

With Celeste Young and Ayya Santacitta

October 20 - 26, 2024
Big Bear Retreat Center
A Silent Meditation Retreat: Dana-based retreat in the monastic tradition (donate at any amount) Sunday, October 20th - Saturday, October 26th Registration closes October 6th at 11:59pm Pacific Time This retreat is also offered as a brief half-day online retreat in June by these teachers as a donation-based rate. This is a great option if you are considering this full in-person retreat! Sunday, June 23rd, 2024 (1oam – 1pm Pacific) The Dharma is Made for These Times: An Exploration of the Four Distortions of Perception An Exploration of the Four Distortions of Perception Join us for an in person retreat…

The Limitless Heart: Cultivating Metta In Turbulent Times

With Yong Oh, Gullu Singh and Gabrielle Hammond

November 6 - 12, 2024
Big Bear Retreat Center
A Silent Insight Meditation Retreat Wednesday, November 6th - Tuesday, November 12th Registration closes October 23rd at 11:59pm Pacific Time This retreat will focus on the cultivation of mettā.  Mettā, usually translated as loving-kindness is an inner state of friendliness, benevolence, goodwill and universal positive regard.  The Buddha said that when we develop mettā, “no limiting action remains.”  Which is to say that we get freed from the limitations of the heart.   Mettā is an antidote to fear, anxiety, agitation, anger and frustration so it’s a timely practice for these times of climate crisis, wars on many fronts and an…
trudy goodman lisa ernst insightla meditation retreat insight vipassana

The Dharma of Desire: From Longing to Loving Presence

With Trudy Goodman and Lisa Ernst

November 13 - 17, 2024
Big Bear Retreat Center
A Silent Insight Meditation Retreat Wednesday, November 13th - Sunday, November 17th Registration closes October 30th at 11:59pm Pacific Time On the path of awakening, sometimes we may believe desire is a problem to be eradicated.  Yet when we get curious about desire and look at our relationship to it, we can enter more deeply into the fertile ground of our own being and move closer to the heart.  In this retreat we will have the opportunity to explore desire in a supportive, non-judgmental space that allows us to open our hearts and meet desire with compassion and insight. When…
deborah eden tull new years retreat meditation

Awake in the New Year

With Deborah Eden Tull and Kritee

December 30, 2024 - January 4, 2025
Big Bear Retreat Center
An Interactive & Silent Retreat for the New Year Monday, December 30th - Saturday, January 4th Registration closes December 16th at 11:59pm Pacific Time The New Year is a powerful threshold. Buddhist traditions have long emphasized the importance of setting clear and supportive intentions in our spiritual and ethical life. In this New Year's retreat you will be invited to listen deeply, reflect, restore, and create anew. You will be invited on an embodied journey bridging personal and collective awakening. Rather than setting New Year's resolutions based on the myth of self-improvement, we will set intentions from the heart of…
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