The Direct Path to Freedom: The Foundations of Mindfulness

A 5-Day Mindfulness Silent Retreat
By UC San Diego Center for Mindfulness

Saturday, September 14th – Thursday, September 19th 

To register and for more details visit UC San Diego Center for Mindfulness.

Imagine yourself immersed in a natural environment, dedicated solely to cultivating mindfulness, with the support of dedicated teachers. This meditation retreat provides a supportive environment and opportunity to delve into the practice, which can lead to reclaiming a feeling of well being, and being free from the weight of worry, regret, loss, pain and stress.

In this retreat we’ll focus on the Buddha’s teachings and instructions in establishing and maintaining mindfulness drawing from the Satipathhana Sutta, a seminal discourse on mindfulness. We’ll practice Mindfulness of the Breath and Body, Mindfulness of Feeling Tone and Mindfulness of Mind. The Buddha describes mindfulness as “the direct path to the purification of beings, the surmounting of sorrow and lamentation, for the disappearance of suffering and discontent” and the realization of peace.

This retreat will also offer one session of qigong daily, using slow guided movements that help metabolize areas of resistance and hindrances that can arise on retreat. These movements are safe, gentle, and oriented toward the healing aspect of the body and heart. There are many options for participation by all bodies and all states of ability.

The retreat will be held in noble silence with alternating periods of sitting or stationary meditation and walking or movement. Teachers will provide guidance and instruction and meet with students to offer support.

In the stillness and silence powerful things begin to happen. Your awareness sharpens, your body quiets, and your mind clears. This creates the space for insights and understanding to emerge naturally. Without distractions, you’ll find yourself encountering yourself with greater clarity and honesty.

This deeper self-knowledge paves the way for transformation. You’ll discover how to approach each moment with clarity, kindness, and wakefulness. By developing your awareness, you’ll find yourself journeying towards liberation, inner peace, and a heart filled with tranquility.

The Retreat meets the requirements for teacher training and certification at the Mindfulness-Based Professional Training Institute, University of California San Diego.

Join us to nourish and sustain your practice, in a safe, beautiful environment, wonderful healthy food, with experienced teachers Gullu Singh, Louije Kim, and Gabrielle Hammond. Learn more about the retreat.

Cost:

Click here to visit the registration website for pricing details and options.
(early bird pricing available)

   

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.

Sample Daily Schedule

(may vary)

7 a.m. – 7:30 a.m. Optional sit
7:30 a.m. – 8:30 a.m. Mindful Movement
8:30 a.m. – 9:30 a.m. Breakfast
9:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. Practice Period (sitting and walking meditation, with some guidance in the early days.)
12:30 p.m. – 1:30 p.m. Lunch
2:30 p.m. – 5:30 p.m. Practice period
5:30 p.m. – 6:30 p.m. Dinner
7 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. Practice and Dharma Talk
8:30 p.m. Lights out

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 UCSD’s website for more details on their cancellation policy for this event.