Retreat Calendar

Spaces available for upcoming 2024 Retreats!

December 30 – January 4: Awake in the New Year: Dharma and Dance with Deborah Eden Tull and Enrique Collazo

Contact us if finances are a barrier in any way, nobody is turned away due to finances: guestservices@bigbearretreatcenter.org.

Attend a Retreat

at Big Bear Retreat Center

Testimonials from past retreat guests

The meals were INCREDIBLE. Hands down the highlight of the whole experience. Honestly, I was blown away by the quality of the food, both taste and health wise.
Retreat Guest
The meals at BBRC were top of the line. The food was comparable to restaurant-quality dining. The fact that it was vegetarian and vegan was unbelievable. One of the best parts of the center.
Retreat Guest
This was an absolutely wonderful retreat experience. The environment at Big Bear Retreat Center is relaxing and beautiful, with hiking trails and serene natural views everywhere. The vegetarian meals were outstanding…each dish seemed prepared with care and love, and full of flavor. The staff was professional yet warm and approachable. I will go back again and again!

Anne Calm Abiding Insight Meditation Retreat with Beth Sternlieb and Eric McCullum (InsightLA), May 2022
The natural beauty of Big Bear Retreat Center offers the perfect space to feel interconnected to all life and to open to the beautiful teachings we experienced this week. The cabins, meditation hall, food, and staff all supported our opportunity to become still and stable, to open our hearts to all of life. Thank you for this beautiful experience. I'll be back.

Cheryl Calm Abiding Insight Meditation Retreat with Beth Sternlieb and Eric McCullum (InsightLA), May 2022
BBRC and InsightLA put on the most incredible silent retreat. I am encouraging all my interested friends to sign up- it is life-changing.
Retreat Guest Spring Renewal Insight Meditation Retreat with Christiane Wolf and Celeste Young (InsightLA), April 2022
BBRC and its staff make the retreat experience seamless and magical at every turn. The chefs prepare meals that are the embodiment of love and nourishment for this practice. The teachers are supportive and generous with their time, and find the balance between stimulating and calming the mind with the dharma.
Retreat Guest Calm Abiding Insight Meditation Retreat with Beth Sternlieb and Eric McCullum (InsightLA), May 2022
I found refuge sitting on the mountain.
Retreat Guest Four Foundations of Mindfulness Insight Meditation Retreat with Christiane Wolf and Greg Serpa (InsightLA), May 2022
I highly recommend the Big Bear Retreat location due to its beauty, comfort, facilities and ability to go on walks in the forest. Everything was well organized and thoughtful.
Retreat Guest

SUMMER

2024

ONLINE: October 26, 2024 (9:00am - 12:00pm)

Finding Freedom and Authenticity in How We Relate:
Relational Mindfulness

Deborah Eden Tull & Enrique Collazo

Saturday, October 26th
(9:00am – 12:00pm PST)

ONLINE: Saturday March 30, 2024 (12pm - 1:30pm)

Q&A with the Teachers:
Buddhism and recovering from addiction, habitual behaviors, strong emotions and illness

Vimalasara and Kevin Griffin

Saturday, March 30, 2024 (12pm Pacific)

ONLINE: Sunday June 23, 2024 (10am-1pm)

Half Day Online Retreat:
The Dharma is Made for These Times:
An Exploration of the 4 Distortions of Perception

Ayya Santacitta and Celeste Young

Sunday, June 23, 2024 (10am – 1pm Pacific)

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December 3 - 8, 2024

Ancestors Welcome Here
Ancestral Healing Retreat for White Practitioners Committed Racial Justice

Ream and Kimber Simpkins

Starts: Tuesday, December 3, 2024

Ends: Sunday, December 8, 2024

*sliding scale registration fees with flexible pricing options

Ream and Kimber offered a half-day online retreat on this topic. Learn more about their practices and approaches:

DECEMBER

December 30, 2024 - January 4, 2025

Awake in the New Year:
A Dharma & Dance Retreat
Interactive + Silent Retreat for transitioning into the New Year

Deborah Eden Tull and Enrique Collazo

Starts: Monday, December 30, 2024

Ends: Saturday, January 4, 2025

Teacher compensation included in rates

“Energy is our most precious resource, for it is the means through which we transform our creative potential into meaningful action.” Tarthang Tulku

2025

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MARCH

March 5 - 9, 2025

The Sacred Path of Connection & Belonging:
A Women’s Nature Retreat

Heidi Bourne & Laurie Cousins

Starts: Wednesday, March 5, 2025

Ends: Sunday, March 9, 2025

This in-person Women’s Springtime Nature Retreat is open to both beginning and seasoned practitioners, to all female-identified persons over the age of 18, including LGBTQIA+.

“I treasure the retreats with Heidi Bourne & Laurie Cousins. Their dedication and love for the practices, their clear and warm teaching styles, their knowledge, compassion, and humor deeply enrich my life and keep me coming back year after year.” Melissa R.

“It’s hard to put into words just how precious and sacred it is to spend time with other women in a silent retreat surrounded by nature and supported by Laurie Cousins and Heidi Bourne. They are very skilled teachers with expansive warm hearts. Time in retreat nurtures my whole being and helps me meet my life in all its complexities with steadiness, compassion, and wisdom. Retreats with Laurie and Heidi are one of my favorite times of the year.” Ally Z.

APRIL

April 16 - 20, 2025 (plus online 6 week class series)

Ethics and Love in Interpersonal Life
a silent insight meditation retreat + dharma program

Matthew Brensilver

[Hybrid Retreat: In-Person + Online Options]
*Retreat followed by 6-week online class series (included)

Co-sponsored by Insight Retreat Center (IRC) and Big Bear Retreat Center

Starts: Wednesday, April 16, 2025

Ends: Sunday, April 20, 2025

Retreat fees are dana-based, donations at any amount above $0 to register.

This retreat is followed by a 6-week online class series only for those that attend the retreat.

April 24 - 30, 2025

Simplicity and Stillness:
Cultivating the 5 Spiritual Strengths
a silent insight meditation retreat

Celeste Young & Devon Hase

[Hybrid Retreat: In-Person + Online Options]

Starts: Thursday, April 24, 2025

Ends: Wednesday, April 30, 2025

MAY

May 15 - 20, 2025

Coming Home to Our Senses
a silent insight meditation retreat

Trudy Goodman, Gullu Singh, and Gabrielle Hammond (movement)

[Hybrid Retreat: In-Person + Online Options]

Starts: Thursday, May 15, 2025

Ends: Tuesday, May 20, 2025

May 22 - 25, 2025

Entering the Silence of Recovery
a silent insight meditation retreat

Vimalasara Mason-John & Kevin Griffin

Starts: Thursday, May 22, 2025

Ends: Sunday, May 25, 2025

This retreat pricing is offered sliding scale with flexible pricing options. All are welcome.

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JUNE

June 2 - 8, 2025

Deep Belonging:
Connecting with Ourselves, Each Other, and the Natural World
a silent insight meditation retreat

Christiane Wolf, Greg Serpa, and Jennifer Cho

[Hybrid Retreat: In-Person + Online Options]

Starts: Monday, June 2, 2025

Ends: Sunday, June 8, 2025

**Early registration discounts end February 1, 2025**

June 9 - 14, 2025

Unfolding the Great Heart:
A Journey of Radical Love and Connection

Spring Washam, Henry Shukman, & Nina Rao

REGISTRATION OPENS JANUARY 31

Starts: Monday, June 9, 2025

Ends: Saturday, June 14, 2025

**Early registration discounts end February 8, 2025**

June 21 - 26, 2025

Opening the Heart, Deepening Wisdom
a silent insight meditation retreat

Kim Allen & Diana Clark

[Dana-based Registration Fees]

Co-sponsored by Insight Retreat Center (IRC) and Big Bear Retreat Center

Starts: Saturday, June 21, 2025

Ends: Thursday, June 26, 2025

Retreat fees are dana-based, donations at any amount above $0 to register.

June 30 - July 6, 2025

Disentangling the Tangle:
Finding Freedom in Relationship with Ourselves, Others, and the World
a silent insight meditation retreat

Ayya Santacitta & Ayya Santussika

[Dana-based Registration Fees]

Starts: Monday, June 30, 2025

Ends: Sunday, July 6, 2025

Retreat fees are dana-based, donations at any amount above $0 to register.

JULY

July 10 - 13, 2025

Shelter from the Storm:
Cultivating a Steady Heart
a silent insight meditation retreat

Beth Sternlieb & Gullu Singh

Starts: Thursday, July 10, 2025

Ends: Sunday, July 13, 2025

**Early registration discounts end March 11, 2025**

July 16 - 20, 2025

Creating Joy in Community:
Trans, Gender Nonconforming, Genderqueer, Non-binary and all Gender Expansive communities
a silent insight meditation retreat

Fresh “Lev” White, JD Doyle & René Rivera

[Sliding Scale Flexible Registration Fees]

REGISTRATION OPENS JANUARY 31

Starts: Wednesday, July 16, 2025

Ends: Sunday, July 20, 2025

This retreat pricing is offered sliding scale with flexible pricing options. All are welcome.

July 20 - 25, 2025

Mindful Self-Compassion (MSC) Intensive
A workshop intensive retreat

Lisa Baylis & Megan Prager

In partnership with the Center for Mindful Self-Compassion

REGISTRATION OPENS SOON

Starts: Sunday, July 20, 2025

Ends: Friday, July 25, 2025

July 25 - 27, 2025

Compassion for Couples
A relational workshop retreat for couples

Megan Prager & Michelle Becker

REGISTRATION OPENS JANUARY 31

Starts: Friday, July 25, 2025

Ends: Sunday, July 27, 2025

AUGUST

August 9 - 17, 2025

When Awareness Becomes Natural:
A Sayadaw U Tejaniya Practice Style Retreat
a silent insight meditation retreat

Lienchi (LC) Tran & Stephanie Curran

Starts: Saturday, August 9, 2025

Ends: Sunday, August 17, 2025

August 19 - 23, 2025

Dharma Dharma: The Unfolding of Nature
A retreat offered in the Thai forest tradition
(primarily camping options)

Leinchi (LC) Tran

[Dana-based Registration Fees]

Co-sponsored by Insight Retreat Center (IRC) and Big Bear Retreat Center

REGISTRATION OPENS JANUARY 31

Starts: Tuesday, August 19, 2025

Ends: Saturday, August 23, 2025

Offered dana-based (donation) at any amount above $0.
Participants must submit an application, interview with the teacher, and be approved to attend.

This unique retreat will be offered by Leinchi (LC) Tran as a more informal week of practice in community and nature following the more traditional practices of the Thai forest tradition. Retreatants will be camping (1-2 bedroom spots available), following their own practice routine, and have daily interviews with the teacher. Access to one indoor cabin common space (kitchen and restrooms) is available. Only lunch will be served (self-service breakfast will be available) and no dinner will be served.

August 27 - 31, 2025

BIPOC Community Retreat
a silent insight meditation retreat

JoAnna Hardy, Devin Berry, Alli Simon, and Hakim Tafari

[Sliding Scale Flexible Registration Fees]

In partnership with Meditation Coalition and Black Being

Starts: Wednesday, August 27, 2025

Ends: Sunday, August 31, 2025

This retreat pricing is offered sliding scale with flexible pricing options. All are welcome.

August 31 - September 4, 2025

The Brilliant Weave of the
Brahma Viharas and Emptiness
a silent insight meditation retreat

Lisa Ernst and David Cabrera

Starts: Sunday, August 31, 2025

Ends: Thursday, September 4, 2025

**Early registration discounts end March 3, 2025**

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SEPTEMBER

September 16 - 21, 2025

Love and Rest
a silent insight meditation retreat

Beth Sternlieb and Matthew Brensilver

Starts: Tuesday, September 16, 2025

Ends: Sunday, September 21, 2025

**Early registration discounts end March 19, 2025**

September 25 - 28, 2025

Cultivating Kindness:
A Women’s Retreat of Mindful Self-Compassion
Through Practice, Writing, and Movement
a relational workshop retreat

Susan Steinberg-Oren, Christine Suarez, and Lesley Hyatt

REGISTRATION OPENS SOON

Starts: Thursday, September 25, 2025

Ends: Sunday, September 28, 2025

**Early registration discounts end March 28, 2025**

September 29 - October 4, 2025

Awakening Mindfulness and Compassion
a silent insight meditation retreat

Diana Winston, Leslie Booker, and Vadan Ritter

REGISTRATION OPENS JANUARY 31

Starts: Monday, September 29, 2025

Ends: Saturday, October 4, 2025

OCTOBER

October 5 - 12, 2025

In Wisdom We Walk, In Liberation We Rise:
A Women’s Retreat
a silent insight meditation retreat

Spring Washam and Erin Selover

Starts: Sunday, October 5, 2025

Ends: Sunday, October 12, 2025

**Early registration discounts end April 7, 2025**

October 13 - 18, 2025

Sacred Refuge:
An Embodied Devotional Retreat in Nature
a silent insight meditation retreat

Djuna Devereaux and Yong Oh

Starts: Monday, October 13, 2025

Ends: Saturday, October 18, 2025

**Early registration discounts end April 15, 2025**

October 18 - 22, 2025

Loving Nature and Finding Joy
a silent insight meditation nature-based retreat

JD Doyle and Andrés González

Starts: Saturday, October 18, 2025

Ends: Wednesday, October 22, 2025

**Early registration discounts end April 20, 2025**

October 23 - 26, 2025

Mindfulness for Everyone:
A Retreat for All Levels of Practice
a silent insight meditation retreat

Dave Smith and Ann Brand

REGISTRATION OPENS JANUARY 31

Starts: Thursday, October 23, 2025

Ends: Sunday, October 26, 2025

October 26 - 31, 2025

Embodying the Heart of Listening:
A Relational Leadership Retreat for Facilitators, Guides, Spaceholders, and Therapists

Deborah Eden Tull

REGISTRATION OPENS SOON

Starts: Sunday, October 26, 2025

Ends: Friday, October 31, 2025

**Early registration discounts end April 28, 2025**

October 26 - 31, 2025

Luminous Darkness:
The Power of Embracing the Unknown
a relational workshop retreat

Deborah Eden Tull

REGISTRATION OPENS SOON

Starts: Friday, October 31, 2025

Ends: Sunday, November 2, 2025

**Early registration discounts end May 3, 2025**

NOVEMBER

November 2 - 6, 2025

Befriending Mortality:
Living an Awakened Life through Mindfulness of Death
a silent insight meditation retreat

Nikki Mirghafori

Starts: Sunday, November 2, 2025

Ends: Thursday, November 6, 2025

**Early registration discounts end May 5, 2025**

November 11 - 18, 2025

Resting in Metta:
Cultivating an Awakened Heart
a silent insight meditation retreat

Celeste Young and Dawn Scott

Starts: Tuesday, November 11, 2025

Ends: Tuesday, November 18, 2025

**Early registration discounts end May 14, 2025**

DECEMBER

December 2 - 7, 2025

Belonging and Thriving,
Being your Own Good Friend: LGBTQIA+ Retreat
a silent insight meditation retreat

Fresh “Lev” White and Eve Decker

Starts: Tuesday, December 2, 2025

Ends: Sunday, December 7, 2025

**Early registration discounts end June 4, 2025**

December 27, 2025 - January 3, 2026

New Year’s Retreat
a silent insight meditation retreat

Ayya Santacitta and Celeste Young

REGISTRATION OPENS JANUARY 31

Attend a Retreat at Big Bear Retreat Center

Attend a Retreat

at Big Bear Retreat Center

Testimonials from past retreat guests