Unfolding the Great Heart: Bhakti, Buddhism & the Practice of Connection [Online]

This online retreat is open to both beginning and experienced practitioners.
Registration for this retreat closes on May 26, 2025 at 11:59pm Pacific Time.

This retreat is a sacred invitation to return to the source of your inner strength—the boundless capacity of your heart to love, heal, and transform. Together, we will explore the ‘Great Heart,’ a sanctuary of devotion and wisdom that holds the power to illuminate even the darkest moments of our lives.

Through the intertwined paths of Bhakti and Buddhism, we will dive into heart-centered practices that open us to the healing power of love and connection. Each day will include Metta meditation to cultivate compassion, devotional rituals to deepen our sense of reverence, and sitting and walking meditation on the land to ground us in presence and stillness. In the evenings, we’ll gather for chanting—a practice of surrender and devotion that invites us to rest in the sacred pulse of life.

This retreat is for those yearning to rekindle their faith in love, rediscover hope, or find strength amidst life’s challenges. It is a refuge for anyone seeking solace, clarity, or a deeper connection to themselves and the world. Bhakti’s path of devotion and Buddhist mindfulness will weave together, offering profound tools to help release old burdens, soften the heart, and awaken to life’s inherent beauty.

Step into this journey of devotion and transformation, where the Great Heart unfolds as a source of courage, resilience, and infinite possibility.

 

What You’ll Experience:

• Metta and Compassion-Focused Meditations: Practices to cultivate loving-kindness and open the heart.
• Kirtan and Devotion Practice: Chanting and devotional practices to deepen your connection to Bhakti.
• Inspiring Dharma Talks: Teachings rooted in Buddhist wisdom and the path of the Great Heart.
• Opportunities for Connection: Time to share, reflect, and build meaningful connections within the community.
• Rituals for Healing and Transformation: Sacred practices to honor and release what no longer serves you.
• Daily Movement: Gentle practices to reconnect with the body and foster mindfulness.

HEAR MORE ABOUT THIS PROGRAM AND TEACHERS

Spring is such a great wealth of practice and knowledge. It was amazing being in her presence. She’s also a really kind and understanding person. She literally moves with heart.

From Deep in the Heart-Cave Nina calls us…Her chanting rich with timeless longing… calling us to live in the love that is our True Being. – Krishna Das

When listening to Nina’s chanting, I’m ignited with a deep longing for the Divine. I’m extremely grateful for this gift she delivers through her beautiful singing. ❤️ – Trevor Hall

Henry Shukman is one of the wisest and most poetical teachers of dharma we have today. In an increasingly fragmented world, he is unusually good company. – Sam Harris

COSTS & FEES FOR REGISTRATION

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.

An Online Hybrid Interactive Retreat

This retreat will be an interactive online retreat with the in-person participants and teachers, with camera views of the hall and projected for participants to see you. Please plan to present and actively attend for the entire retreat and all the sessions. This will be offered over Zoom. Please plan to have your video on during the sessions.

At registration you will receive a link with a landing page for the online community that includes the Zoom and schedule information for the online component of this program, along with any other helpful tips before, during, and after your retreat. This link will be emailed to you again 24 hours before your retreat. The retreat recording will be available within 48 hours of the retreat. This program recording as well as past program recordings can also be found in full on Big Bear Retreat Center’s YouTube channel.

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

“Big Bear created an online retreat experience that was inclusive, supportive, and responsive. I felt held and cared about throughout the hybrid retreat, as an online participant.” – Bernadine

“I appreciated the way they held space for people in small groups and encouraged authentic sharing within the container of noble silence. I felt that they all skillfully met everyone where they were at, including myself.”  – Joe

Schedule for Online Retreatants

Below is a general sample schedule to support in planning ahead. All times PST and subject to change.

Opening Day
12:00 pm  Zoom room opens (optional for testing connection)
7:00 pm     Retreat Opening (all please attend)

Full Days of Retreat
6:30 am     Wake Up
7:00 am – 9:45 pm Full day of retreat, please plan attend (meals at 7:30a, 12:30p, 5:30p)
*throughout day expect periods of seated and walking meditations in addition to teacher guided sessions and talks

Closing Day
6:30 am    Wake Up
7:00 am    Sitting
8:00 am    Breakfast
9:30 am    Closing Program
11:30 am   Retreat ends