The Dharma of Desire: From Longing to Loving Presence
With Trudy Goodman and Lisa Ernst
November 13 - 17, 2024
Registration is available as application only for a last minute spot – if you’re looking to join last minute, please join waitlist or contact guestservices@bigbearretreatcenter.org.
A Silent Insight Meditation Retreat
Wednesday, November 13th – Sunday, November 17th
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 we hold desire in the crucible of wisdom and understanding, it transforms into loving presence.
This retreat will include sitting and walking meditation, instructions, dharma talks and discussion.
This silent retreat is suitable for all levels of experience.
Cost:
*retreat fees below guarantee a room type, however if space is available guests will automatically be upgraded room types, when possible*
*retreat fees do not include teacher dana-donations: more information below*
Single room with private bath $1,600
Single room with shared bath $1,280
Double room with shared bath $880
Triple room with shared bath $592
Are finances a barrier to attend? We strive to make retreats as accessible as possible to anyone. Contact us if finances are a burden in any way, we have several options to make these retreats financially accessible to you. We ask that these be prioritized for those who self-identify as BIPOC, hold marginalized identities, or in financial need. Contact us at guestservices@bigbearretreatcenter.org for more information.
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. Our residential cabins and rooms are simply furnished with a balance of comfort and simplicity. All beds are twin, and all bedding is provided by the center.
The Meditation Hall:
Our beautiful meditation hall is a large room that accommodates most meditation and movement retreats. We have supplies for most participants, but guests are always welcome to bring their own supplies (not required). Guests can typically expect to have access to a zabutan (large cushion), zafu (small cushion), yoga mat, blocks, a meditation chair, a blanket and a selection of other yoga and meditation props with limited supplies. If you’re unsure, please contact us or visit our welcome guide for more details.
Meals:
The Center provides fresh, healthy meals made with seasonal and organic ingredients to support a nourishing time in retreat. Meals begin with dinner on arrival evening through to breakfast on departure morning. For this retreat, meals will be offered to support meditation retreat practice with a simple medium breakfast, hearty lunch, and light dinner (typically soup and salad). All meals will be vegetarian, and we accommodate most major dietary restrictions. Snacks will be available in the dining hall 24/7, including teas and coffees. The Center has refrigerators in the cabins and dining area for guests to store their own snacks – please bring any foods that might support your time here.
Dana (Generosity) for Teachers:
As part of the Buddhist tradition, many teachers (including the teachers of this retreat) offer the teachings freely with no expectations of fees or payment. As a practice of generosity from the heart, participants are invited to offer “dana” (donations-generosity) to the teachers at the end of the retreat. There are no minimums, expectations, or guidelines. It is not required. Teachers do not receive retreat fees, apart from travel reimbursement support. There will be an opportunity to offer the teachers dana (more information shared during and after your retreat), this goes directly to the teachers and supports them in continuing to offer these teachers year after year. Read more here about the practice of Dana (Generosity), and read more from Cloud Mountain on Dana for Dharma Teachers.
Work Meditation: This retreat will include a daily work meditation service period, or “yogi jobs”, around 30-minutes a day. This is an opportunity to practice in service of community and bring your practice into daily roles at the center. If you have mobility or health concerns please reach out and we will find alternative accommodations. More details and a sign up sheet will be shared at registration.
Planning your trip: If you are booking a flight for your trip our recommendation is to search for flights to the Ontario Airport (ONT) whenever possible. If your travel plans require you to land at the Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) we highly recommend arriving at least one day prior to your arrival at BBRC for retreat. Registration opens on Arrival day from 2:00pm – 4:00pm. Most retreats close by noon or later on departure day so please allow yourself adequate time for travel to the airport. Please visit our Getting to Big Bear page on our website for more detailed travel recommendations.
Ride-share: Ride-sharing / Carpooling is highly encouraged, and is one of the most convenient ways to travel to Big Bear Retreat Center. For this retreat we have set up a self-organized ride-share page that you can visit at anytime before, we will send email reminders closer to the retreat. Visit the ride-share page
Covid Policies: For this retreat we are requiring a proof of a negative rapid test on arrival day for all yogis, teachers and staff. A re-test will be required on the third day by dinner. Masking and vaccines are optional.
Guests are asked, when possible, to bring their own rapid tests or test before travel on arrival day. Tests will be provided by the center by request only.
For any questions please contact guestservices@bigbearretreatcenter.org or visit our website bigbearretreatcenter.org
Cancellation Policy: Please visit our website for more on the cancellation policy for this retreat- bigbearretreatcenter.org/cancellation-policy
- > 8 weeks $100
- 4-8 weeks $175
- 2-4 weeks $300
- <2 weeks No Refunds
Scholarship and Financial Support Cancellation Fee Policy:
- > 8 weeks $75
- 4-8 weeks $150
- < 4 weeks No Refunds
Teachers & Facilitators
Trudy Goodman, PH.D., is the founding teacher of InsightLA and cofounder of the Institute for Meditation and Psychotherapy. She has taught at universities and retreat centers worldwide for over 40 years. Trudy has trained in mindfulness and Zen since 1973, holds a graduate degree in developmental psychology from Harvard, and is one of the senior Buddhist teachers in the U.S. She is widely known for her role as the voice of Trudy the Love Barbarian in the Netflix series “Midnight Gospel”. Trudy is a contributing author: Clinical Handbook of Mindfulness (Springer, 2008); Compassion and Wisdom in Psychotherapy, (Guilford Press, 2011);…
Learn more about Trudy Goodman
Lisa Ernst is a meditation teacher, artist and founder of One Dharma Nashville. She has maintained a committed meditation practice for over 30 years in the Zen and Vipassana traditions. Lisa received full teaching authorization in the Thai Forest/Spirit Rock lineage of Ajahn Chah, Trudy Goodman and Jack Kornfield. She offers private meditation training, workshops and leads meditation retreats and classes internationally. She has taught retreats and served as a mentor at Spirit Rock Meditation Center. She also teaches retreats through InsightLA, Big Bear Retreat Center, Southern Dharma and many more. Lisa’s regularly writes articles for Lion’s Roar Magazine and…
Learn more about Lisa Ernst