Retreat Calendar

Attend a Retreat

at Big Bear Retreat Center

Testimonials from past retreat guests

Big Bear Retreat Center is indeed a refuge. A safe space to open your heart.
Laura M.
If you're serious about practice and want a well supported retreat experience with delicious nourishing food, sign up for a retreat at BBRC!
Considering your first retreat? This is the place! The land and grounds and care from the staff is so supportive. I look forward to coming back!
Big Bear Retreat Center is the perfect container for diving deeper into your practice. From your room, to the food, to the structure and management, every detail feels so intentional, held with care and imbued with practice.
This retreat center is by far the best one I have ever been to. Intimate setting, nestled in the mountains with gorgeous views and hiking trails. For a small retreat center, they attract top teachers. I love Big Bear Retreat Center.
Big Bear Retreat Center feels like home. No matter how often I come, each time is special. The land holds us, as does the incredible staff.
Big Bear Retreat Center is exceptional in every way. The accommodations are outstanding, food exceptional, staff very responsive and helpful and the teachers are always so loving and knowledgeable. Just a top notch retreat experience!!
Sheila M.
I love Big Bear Retreat Center. It's my dharma home away from home. Everything about it - staff, teachers, food, accommodations, setting - is exceptional. A true gift to the community!

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.

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

REGISTRATION CLOSED

Starts: Monday, December 30, 2024

Ends: Saturday, January 4, 2025

“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, Gabrielle Hammond (movement) and Lienchi (LC) Tran

[Hybrid Retreat: In-Person + Online Options]

Starts: Thursday, May 15, 2025

Ends: Tuesday, May 20, 2025

May 22 - 25, 2025

Living Recovery in Unsettling Times
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 April 30, 2025**

June 9 - 14, 2025

Unfolding the Great Heart:
Bhakti, Buddhism, and the Practice of Connection
(periods of silence, relational, and chanting practice)

Spring Washam, Henry Shukman, & Nina Rao

[Hybrid Retreat: In-Person + Online Options]

Starts: Monday, June 9, 2025

Ends: Saturday, June 14, 2025

**Early registration discounts end April 30, 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 April 30, 2025**

July 16 - 20, 2025

Creating Refuge 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]

Starts: Wednesday, July 16, 2025

Ends: Sunday, July 20, 2025

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

The retreat will have an application process to prioritize registration from BIPOC folks through June 15, with the aim to create an intentionally multiracial community with a goal of 50% BIPOC.

July 20 - 25, 2025

Mindful Self-Compassion (MSC) Intensive for Caregivers:
Loving Others Without Losing Ourselves
A workshop intensive retreat

Lisa Baylis & Megan Prager

In partnership with the Center for Mindful Self-Compassion

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

Starts: Friday, July 25, 2025

Ends: Sunday, July 27, 2025

**Early registration discounts end April 30, 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

**Early registration discounts end April 30, 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

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 April 30, 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 April 30, 2025**

September 25 - 28, 2025

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

Susan Steinberg-Oren, Christine Suarez and Lesley Hyatt

Starts: Thursday, September 25, 2025

Ends: Sunday, September 28, 2025

**Early registration discounts end June 30, 2025**

September 29 - October 4, 2025

Awakening Mindfulness and Compassion
a silent insight meditation retreat

Diana Winston, Leslie Booker and Vadan Ritter (movement)

Starts: Monday, September 29, 2025

Ends: Saturday, October 4, 2025

**Early registration discounts end June 30, 2025**

OCTOBER

October 5 - 12, 2025

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

Spring Washam, Erin Selover and Monica Magtoto (movement)

[Hybrid Retreat: In-Person + Online Options]
Online Retreat Registration Opens Soon

Starts: Sunday, October 5, 2025

Ends: Sunday, October 12, 2025

**Early registration discounts end June 30, 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 June 30, 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 June 30, 2025**

October 23 - 26, 2025

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

Dave Smith and Ann Brand

Starts: Thursday, October 23, 2025

Ends: Sunday, October 26, 2025

**Early registration discounts end June 30, 2025**

A great option if this is your first retreat!

October 26 - 31, 2025

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

Deborah Eden Tull

Starts: Sunday, October 26, 2025

Ends: Friday, October 31, 2025

**Early registration discounts end June 30, 2025**

October 31 - November 2, 2025

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

Deborah Eden Tull

Starts: Friday, October 31, 2025

Ends: Sunday, November 2, 2025

**Early registration discounts end June 30, 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 August 31, 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 August 31, 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 August 31, 2025**

December 27, 2025 - January 3, 2026

New Year’s Retreat:
The Four Protective Meditations
Weaving Ancient and New Ways of Being
a silent insight meditation retreat

Ayya Santacitta and Celeste Young

REGISTRATION OPENS SOON

Attend a Retreat at Big Bear Retreat Center

Attend a Retreat

at Big Bear Retreat Center

Testimonials from past retreat guests