• Single Room, Private Bathroom – $1,740.00
  • Single Room, Shared Bathroom – $1,340.00
  • Double Shared Room, Shared Bathroom – $1,080.00
  • Triple Room, Shared Bath – $820.00

Date & Time Details:
2:00p - 4:00p Registration
4:30p Welcome Walk
5:30p Dinner
7:00p Opening Ceremony
*schedule subject to change

Departure day: retreat will end by 11am-12pm (last meal served is breakfast)

Location: Big Bear Retreat Center

Address: 1000 Sugarpine Road, Big Bear, CA, USA

Contact: Big Bear Retreat Center
guestservices@bigbearretreatcenter.org
760-885-9898

Covid Policy: please plan to bring your own tests
-Proof of negative rapid test taken same day of arrival
-72 hour re-test during retreat
-Masks and vaccines are optional
(subject to change based on local guidelines)

Rideshare: https://www.groupcarpool.com/t/tab095

Email us about program

The Rhythm of Connection: Embracing Quietude and Mindful Communication

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

October 9 - 13, 2024

A Relational Mindfulness Retreat

Wednesday, October 9th – Sunday, October 13th
Registration closes October 1st at 11:59pm Pacific Time

meditation hall big bear

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, offering tools and insights that honor your individual experiences.

Led by a teaching team with a combined 30+ years of experience leading Relational Mindfulness at Harvard, UCLA, Spirit Rock, iBme, and other practice communities.

We will be creating an intentionally multiracial community with the aim of hosting at least 50% Black, Indigenous, Mixed-Race, and all People of Color (BIPOC). With this intention, the retreat will have an application process to prioritize registration from BIPOC folks. You will receive an email after you register with more information and confirmation when you are offered a space.

Cost:

*retreat fees below guarantee a room type, however if space is available guests will automatically be upgraded room types, when possible*
*Retreat fees include all teacher compensation.

Single Room, Private Bath: $1,740

Single Room, Shared Bath: $1,340

Double Room, Shared: $1,080

Triple Room, Shared: $820

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.

*Registration will be limited to folks that identify as BIPOC first, to ensure 50% BIPOC at this retreat. 

 

   

 

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.

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

Ofosu Jones-Quartey
Ofosu Jones-Quartey is a meditation teacher and musician from the Washington DC area. He has been teaching mindfulness and meditation to young people and adults since 2004. He is currently the male voice on the Balance meditation app and he teaches meditation and mindfulness classes and retreats around the country when travel is possible and virtually when it is not. Ofosu has taught and led retreats at the Insight Meditation Community of Washington, The Insight Meditation Society, Spirit Rock, Brooklyn Zen Center, Cleveland Insight and more.Ofosu is also an accomplished hip hop artist and author. He recently released an album…
Learn more about Ofosu Jones-Quartey
Anthony “T” Maes
“T” Maes is a Chicano and white man, born and raised in the East Bay. He has practiced Buddhist meditation since 2003, including long retreats and practicing in a forest monastery in Thailand. He is a teacher at Spirit Rock, East Bay Meditation Center, Freedom-Together, IMS, and Inward Bound Mindfulness Education, where he leads Mindfulness Teacher Training programs, mindful movement, and trauma-informed mindfulness. www.anthonymaes.com
Learn more about Anthony “T” Maes
Devon Sangster Rath
Devon is a queer woman who cares deeply about the power of mindfulness practice as a tool to heal and liberate.  She has practiced meditation since 1997 and has been formally teaching mindfulness since 2010.  Devon is committed to making mindfulness accessible to all, specifically people who have a experienced trauma, are recovering from addiction, and historically marginalized populations, including people of color, LGBQT+ folks, people of size and different body abilities.  She offers classes with the homie T Maes. Devon is also passionate about using mindfulness to support white people in waking up to whiteness, power and privilege. She…
Learn more about Devon Sangster Rath
Contact Us

Connect with us at Big Bear Retreat Center.