Ethics and Love in Interpersonal Life [On Land]

A dharma program with Matthew Brensilver, open to both beginners and experienced practitioners.
*5-day Retreat (in-person & online) + 6 week course*

We live in a web of mutuality; the interpersonal realm is where the rubber meets the road in our spiritual practice. Our relationships – personal and professional – act like a magnet, pulling both our goodness and our pain to the surface. How can we draw on dharma principles and practices to enrich our interpersonal lives? How can others serve as mirror for our inquiry into ourselves?

The Buddhist tradition provides ethical guidance: lives founded on goodness, sensitivity and respect give us the best chance for deep happiness. Love fuels our ethics and guides us to more rich, harmonious relationships. Self-understanding dramatically deepens our empathic capacities and through our practice, the circle of care widens. As Sri Nisargadatta says, ‘In love, there are no strangers.’

This dharma program will begin with a five-day retreat, offered both in-person at the Big Bear Retreat Center or available to participants online. Although oriented around interpersonal themes, the retreat will be held in silence rather than interactive in nature. Ordinarily, retreats end and we return to our lives to integrate the experiences of the silence on our own. Here, the teacher will be providing support beyond the retreat to further cultivate and digest the fruits of retreat practice. The retreat will be followed by six, hourlong, weekly online meetings that will integrate and explore the teachings offered in the retreat.

This dharma program is co-sponsored by Big Bear Retreat Center and Insight Retreat Center.

All are welcome.

Dates for the program are as follows:

In-person and Online Retreat: (must attend entire retreat)

April 16th – 20th, 2025

Online Integration Sessions via Zoom: (please plan to attend all sessions)

April 24th: 7pm – 8pm PT
May 1st: 7pm – 8pm PT
May 8th: 7pm – 8pm PT
May 15th: 1:30 pm – 2:30 pm PT
May 22nd: 7pm – 8pm PT
May 29th: 7pm – 8pm PT

Registration for this program closes on April 2nd, 2025 at 11:59pm Pacific Time.

RETREAT FEES AND TEACHER DANA

Retreat fees for this program are all completely dana-based. Please contribute the highest amount that you can afford. Please note the registration dana offered does NOT include teacher compensation. Teacher dana will be collected at the end of the retreat. Learn more about the practice of dana here. 

What retreat participants have to say about programs at Big Bear Retreat Center

“I started the retreat with a heavy heart, and by the time it was over I found myself smiling while walking alone surrounded by the breathtaking nature.  A valuable take away for me is learning about the mindfulness practice and I plan to incorporate it in my daily life. The people I met are amazing and inspiring and in a world that is full of violence and malignant politics, it is comforting to learn about the great work they are doing every single day!” – Despina K

“The Big Bear Retreat Center environment and staff beautifully and seamlessly supported my practice.” – Karen C

SEE OUR CABINS AND CAMPUS

ACCESSIBILITY

We are committed to accessibility. Big Bear Retreat Center has faith in the power of belonging and generosity. Please review our FAQs for more detailed information on accessibility to our campus and programs. 

Location  – Big Bear Retreat Center sits at an elevation of 7,000ft in a small mountain community in Big Bear Lake, California which is about a two-hour drive from Los Angeles.

Physical – We recognize disability as a valued aspect of diversity. Please contact us to share your specific needs so we can make your retreat as comfortable as we can. 

Financial  – We recognize that economic opportunity is not currently equal for all, please contact us if finances are a challenge in any way, as we have several options to make these retreats financially accessible to you.