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Testimonials from past retreat guests
Retreat Calendar
SUMMER
2024
Finding Freedom and Authenticity in How We Relate:
Relational Mindfulness
Deborah Eden Tull & Enrique Collazo
Relational Mindfulness
Saturday, October 26th
(9:00am – 12:00pm PST)
(9:00am – 12:00pm PST)
Q&A with the Teachers:
Buddhism and recovering from addiction, habitual behaviors, strong emotions and illness
Vimalasara and Kevin Griffin
Buddhism and recovering from addiction, habitual behaviors, strong emotions and illness
Saturday, March 30, 2024 (12pm Pacific)
Half Day Online Retreat:
The Dharma is Made for These Times:
An Exploration of the 4 Distortions of Perception
Ayya Santacitta and Celeste Young
The Dharma is Made for These Times:
An Exploration of the 4 Distortions of Perception
Sunday, June 23, 2024 (10am – 1pm Pacific)
Ancestors Welcome Here
Ancestral Healing Retreat for White Practitioners Committed Racial Justice
Ream and Kimber Simpkins
Ancestral Healing Retreat for White Practitioners Committed Racial Justice
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
Awake in the New Year:
A Dharma & Dance Retreat
Interactive + Silent Retreat for transitioning into the New Year
Deborah Eden Tull and Enrique Collazo
A Dharma & Dance Retreat
Interactive + Silent Retreat for transitioning into the New Year
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
MARCH
The Sacred Path of Connection & Belonging:
A Women’s Nature Retreat
Heidi Bourne & Laurie Cousins
A Women’s Nature Retreat
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
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)
a silent insight meditation retreat + dharma program
*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.
Simplicity and Stillness:
Cultivating the 5 Spiritual Strengths
a silent insight meditation retreat
Celeste Young & Devon Hase
[Hybrid Retreat: In-Person + Online Options]
Cultivating the 5 Spiritual Strengths
a silent insight meditation retreat
Starts: Thursday, April 24, 2025
Ends: Wednesday, April 30, 2025
MAY
Coming Home to Our Senses
a silent insight meditation retreat
Trudy Goodman, Gullu Singh, and Gabrielle Hammond (movement)
[Hybrid Retreat: In-Person + Online Options]
a silent insight meditation retreat
Starts: Thursday, May 15, 2025
Ends: Tuesday, May 20, 2025
Entering the Silence of Recovery
a silent insight meditation retreat
Vimalasara Mason-John & Kevin Griffin
a silent insight meditation retreat
Starts: Thursday, May 22, 2025
Ends: Sunday, May 25, 2025
This retreat pricing is offered sliding scale with flexible pricing options. All are welcome.
JUNE
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]
Connecting with Ourselves, Each Other, and the Natural World
a silent insight meditation retreat
Starts: Monday, June 2, 2025
Ends: Sunday, June 8, 2025
**Early registration discounts end February 1, 2025**
Unfolding the Great Heart:
A Journey of Radical Love and Connection
Spring Washam, Henry Shukman, & Nina Rao
A Journey of Radical Love and Connection
Starts: Monday, June 9, 2025
Ends: Saturday, June 14, 2025
**Early registration discounts end February 8, 2025**
Opening the Heart: Deepening Wisdom
a silent insight meditation retreat
Kim Allen & Diana Clark
[Dana-based Registration Fees]
a silent insight meditation retreat
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.
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]
Finding Freedom in Relationship with Ourselves, Others, and the World
a silent insight meditation retreat
Starts: Monday, June 30, 2025
Ends: Sunday, July 6, 2025
Retreat fees are dana-based, donations at any amount above $0 to register.
JULY
Shelter from the Storm:
Cultivating a Steady Heart
a silent insight meditation retreat
Beth Sternlien & Gullu Singh
Cultivating a Steady Heart
a silent insight meditation retreat
Starts: Thursday, July 10, 2025
Ends: Sunday, July 13, 2025
**Early registration discounts end March 11, 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]
Trans, Gender Nonconforming, Genderqueer, Non-binary and all Gender Expansive communities
a silent insight meditation retreat
Starts: Wednesday, July 16, 2025
Ends: Sunday, July 20, 2025
This retreat pricing is offered sliding scale with flexible pricing options. All are welcome.
Mindful Self-Compassion (MSC) Intensive
A workshop intensive retreat
Lisa Baylis & Megan Prager
A workshop intensive retreat
In partnership with the Center for Mindful Self-Compassion
Starts: Sunday, July 20, 2025
Ends: Friday, July 25, 2025
Compassion for Couples
A relational workshop retreat for couples
Megan Prager & Michelle Becker
A relational workshop retreat for couples
Starts: Friday, July 25, 2025
Ends: Sunday, July 27, 2025
AUGUST
When Awareness Becomes Natural:
A Sayadaw U Tejaniya Practice Style Retreat
a silent insight meditation retreat
Lienchi (LC) Tran & Stephanie Curran
A Sayadaw U Tejaniya Practice Style Retreat
a silent insight meditation retreat
Starts: Saturday, August 9, 2025
Ends: Sunday, August 17, 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]
A retreat offered in the Thai forest tradition
(primarily camping options)
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.
BIPOC Community Retreat
a silent insight meditation retreat
JoAnna Hardy, Devin Berry, Allison (Alli) Simon, Hakim Tafari
[Sliding Scale Flexible Registration Fees]
a silent insight meditation retreat
Starts: Wednesday, August 27, 2025
Ends: Sunday, August 31, 2025
This retreat pricing is offered sliding scale with flexible pricing options. All are welcome.
The Brilliant Weave of the
Brahma Viharas and Emptiness
a silent insight meditation retreat
Lisa Ernst and David Cabrera
Brahma Viharas and Emptiness
a silent insight meditation retreat
Starts: Sunday, August 31, 2025
Ends: Thursday, September 4, 2025
**Early registration discounts end March 3, 2025**
SEPTEMBER
Love and Rest
a silent insight meditation retreat
Beth Sternlieb and Matthew Brensilver
a silent insight meditation retreat
Starts: Tuesday, September 16, 2025
Ends: Sunday, September 21, 2025
**Early registration discounts end March 19, 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
A Women’s Retreat of Mindful Self-Compassion
Through Practice, Writing, and Movement
a relational workshop retreat
Starts: Tuesday, September 16, 2025
Ends: Sunday, September 21, 2025
**Early registration discounts end March 28, 2025**
Awakening Mindfulness and Compassion
a silent insight meditation retreat
Diana Winston, Leslie Booker, and Vadan Ritter
a silent insight meditation retreat
Starts: Monday, September 29, 2025
Ends: Saturday, October 4, 2025
OCTOBER
In Wisdom We Walk, In Liberation We Rise:
A Women’s Retreat
a silent insight meditation retreat
Spring Washam and Erin Selover
A Women’s Retreat
a silent insight meditation retreat
Starts: Sunday, October 5, 2025
Ends: Sunday, October 12, 2025
**Early registration discounts end April 7, 2025**
Sacred Refuge:
An Embodied Devotional Retreat in Nature
a silent insight meditation retreat
Djuna Devereaux and Yong Oh
An Embodied Devotional Retreat in Nature
a silent insight meditation retreat
Starts: Monday, October 13, 2025
Ends: Saturday, October 18, 2025
**Early registration discounts end April 15, 2025**
Mindfulness for Everyone:
A Retreat for All Levels of Practice
a silent insight meditation retreat
Dave Smith and Ann Brand
A Retreat for All Levels of Practice
a silent insight meditation retreat
Starts: Thursday, October 23, 2025
Ends: Sunday, October 26, 2025
Loving Nature and Finding Joy
a silent insight meditation nature-based retreat
JD Doyle and Andrés González
a silent insight meditation nature-based retreat
Starts: Saturday, October 18, 2025
Ends: Wednesday, October 22, 2025
**Early registration discounts end April 20, 2025**
Embodying the Heart of Listening:
A Relational Leadership Retreat for Facilitators, Guides, Spaceholders, and Therapists
Deborah Eden Tull
A Relational Leadership Retreat for Facilitators, Guides, Spaceholders, and Therapists
Starts: Sunday, October 26, 2025
Ends: Friday, October 31, 2025
**Early registration discounts end April 28, 2025**
Luminous Darkness:
The Power of Embracing the Unknown
a relational workshop retreat
Deborah Eden Tull
The Power of Embracing the Unknown
a relational workshop retreat
Starts: Friday, October 31, 2025
Ends: Sunday, November 2, 2025
**Early registration discounts end May 3, 2025**
NOVEMBER
Befriending Mortality:
Living an Awakened Life through Mindfulness of Death
a silent insight meditation retreat
Nikki Mirghafori
Living an Awakened Life through Mindfulness of Death
a silent insight meditation retreat
Starts: Sunday, November 2, 2025
Ends: Thursday, November 6, 2025
**Early registration discounts end May 5, 2025**
Resting in Metta:
Cultivating an Awakened Heart
a silent insight meditation retreat
Celeste Young and Dawn Scott
Cultivating an Awakened Heart
a silent insight meditation retreat
Starts: Tuesday, November 11, 2025
Ends: Tuesday, November 18, 2025
**Early registration discounts end May 14, 2025**
DECEMBER
Belonging and Thriving,
Being your Own Good Friend: LGBTQIA+ Retreat
a silent insight meditation retreat
Fresh “Lev” White and Eve Decker
Being your Own Good Friend: LGBTQIA+ Retreat
a silent insight meditation retreat
Starts: Tuesday, December 2, 2025
Ends: Sunday, December 7, 2025
**Early registration discounts end June 4, 2025**
New Year’s Retreat
a silent insight meditation retreat
Ayya Santacitta and Celeste Young
a silent insight meditation retreat