Embodying The Heart of Listening: A Meditation Retreat for Facilitators, Guides, SpaceHolders, and Therapists

Open to both beginning and experienced practitioners. Registration for this retreat closes on October 19, 2025 at 11:59pm Pacific Time. If looking to join after this date, please inquire at guestservices@bigbearretreatcenter.org

Listening to Life as it unfolds moment by moment is the essence of Buddhist meditation. This is a restorative retreat based in deep embodied listening – to ourselves, the earth, one another, and the invisible realm. We will deepen our capacity to get out of the way and take refuge in the spacious awareness from which we can truly be of service.

In an age of so much accelerated need “out there,” it can be easy to become depleted and feed a false sense of separation. Regenerative leadership includes our whole self and begins with our willingness to attend deeply to the quality of our relationship with Self, subtle body, and the quality of presence we bring to every day and every interaction.

Some of the questions we will explore are:

• How does efforting less, surrendering, and getting out of the way allow us to stay resourced as we support others?
• How do we show up in a way that continually restores, rather than drains us, as we support collective healing?
• What does it mean to show up naked and vulnerable, just as we are, as leaders, rather than hiding in the role or conditioned expectations we may falsely attach to leadership?

Supported by a backdrop of silence and the natural world, this retreat will include sitting, walking, and movement meditation, relational mindfulness in dyads and small groups, compassionate inquiry, dharma talks, and deep time in nature to connect with the more-than-human and invisible realms, as well as personal guidance sessions with Eden. You will be among not only mindfulness and meditation facilitators, but healers and changemakers who work with people in groups or one-on-one, and are ready for a deeper immersion in relational presence and regenerative leadership.

On this relational retreat, noble silence will extend throughout the duration of our time together. We will eat all meals in silence and observe silence whenever we are outside of scheduled group sessions. During group sessions, there will be a mixture of silent meditation, dharma talks, relational practices in dyads or small groups, reflective writing/drawing, and facilitated dharma discussions. Our group sessions will include time indoors and outdoors, stillness and conscious movement, quietude and at times music and chanting.

This retreat will draw upon teachings from two of Eden’s books, Relational Mindfulness: A Handbook for Deepening Our Connection to Ourselves, Each Other, & Our Planet and Luminous Darkness: An Engaged Buddhist Approach to Embracing the Unknown.

HEAR MORE ABOUT THIS PROGRAM AND TEACHERS

Eden’s years of practice are evident. Her teachings were rich and helpful, and I loved that she incorporated lived experience.

Eden is an incredible spiritual guide. Tremendous wisdom, practicality, presence and eloquence.

WHAT IS A SILENT MEDITATION RETREAT?

This is a retreat held for several days in the practice of “noble silence” with alternating periods of sitting and walking meditation throughout the day. There are teacher-guided sessions and talks, as well as self-guided periods. There also will be interview opportunities with the teachers to talk about your experience. Silence usually begins after dinner on arrival day and ends after breakfast on departure day. All are asked to hold the practice and silence throughout the entire time and to not leave the retreat early, so as to support the fullness of practice. Read more here on what to expect and sample schedule.

GENEROSITY

Retreat Cost & Fees:
Registration fees for this retreat support the cost of developing and offering BBRC programs, which include lodging, meals, and staff compensation. Teacher compensation for this retreat is included in your registration fees. We price fees to make programs as financially accessible as possible.

Is cost a barrier? Nobody is turned away at Big Bear Retreat Center due to finances. We ask that financial assistance be prioritized for those who self-identify as BIPOC, hold marginalized identities, or are in financial need. For more information, please contact us at guestservices@bigbearretreatcenter.org.

FEEL WELCOME AND INCLUDED: A PLACE TO BELONG

Our intention is to be as accessible as we can, even in ways that we may not be aware of yet. We hope this is a space of inclusivity where people feel welcome and held. For us, it is a practice of consistent attunement, presence and care to our community. However you identify – race, gender, sexuality, disability, mental health, and so on – it is our wish to meet your needs for belonging.

Please consider this about our environment:

• The center is on a hill with outdoor walkways between dining, gathering, and residential spaces.
• We are located at an elevation of 6,500 feet altitude in a ski town in the mountains of Southern California.
• We experience weather of all four seasons.
• We are located about 2 hours from Los Angeles and near 3 major airports. Learn more about getting here.
• We have a commitment to everyone’s mobility needs. Please contact us about ADA accessibility.

See our FAQs for more detailed information on accessibility to our campus and programs.

SIMPLE YET COMFORTABLE, NESTLED IN NATURE

Simple and elegant lodgings to support rest and renewal. Our rooms are uniquely designed to offer comfort, convenience, and simplicity. All of our cabins are surrounded by nature with forest sights and sounds. Lodgings are a short walk from spaces for dining and gathering. See a video tour of a cabin.

Our Meditation Hall is spaciously designed to provide an atmosphere that feels deeply integrated with nature and the surrounding forest. The versatile space is conducive for meditation, movement, workshops, training, and other community gatherings.

Food that nourishes to support healing, restoration, and community. Our organic and seasonally inspired menus feature creative and nourishing vegetarian meals, tailored to support meditative practices. We use fresh and locally-sourced ingredients when possible. Lunch is the most substantial meal of the day and dinner is lighter. Our indoor and outdoor dining hall is open 24/7 with self-service coffee, tea and healthy snack options.

HEAR MORE ABOUT BIG BEAR RETREAT CENTER

Big Bear Retreat Center is exceptional in every way. The accommodations are outstanding, food exceptional, staff very responsive and helpful and the teachers are always so loving and knowledgeable. Just a top notch retreat experience!! – Sheila

I love Big Bear Retreat Center. It’s my dharma home away from home. Everything about it – staff, teachers, food, accommodations, setting – is exceptional. A true gift to the community!!

Big Bear Retreat Center is indeed a refuge. A safe space to open your heart. – Laura