Registration Deadline: Sept 8th
We often long for love, both giving and receiving, but the busyness of life and the agitation of our minds do not create the conditions for love to arise. In dharma practice, we find love naturally arises when we rest deeply. When we let go of the dissatisfaction of endless grasping, we experience loving awareness itself. As we do this, we discover what’s been waiting there all along, a softening of the heart, a truly satisfying love.
The daily rhythm of a retreat usually involves alternating periods of stationary and movement meditation, nature walks, meals and tea, as well as practice meetings, dharma talks and rest periods. The first session usually begins before breakfast. Each morning the teachers offer continuing meditation instructions for the day. The whole retreat is a succession of mindfulness training, breathing practices, deep awareness of the body and environment, meditations on the nature of feelings, and awareness of mind are from the Buddhist Insight Meditation tradition.
Stationary/Sitting Meditation: Stationary meditation is at the heart of silent retreats. In stationary practice silence and stillness develop, concentration deepens, and awareness expands. The training of the heart brings kindness and compassion for all that arises. We come into presence and learn to find freedom in the midst of life as it truly is.
Movement/Walking Meditation: Graceful and wise movement on the earth is also a way to practice meditation. On retreat, periods of movement meditation alternate with periods of stationary meditation. Through walking practice we learn to sustain meditative awareness through movement. In movement meditation, we become aware in the midst of activity. Throughout the retreat we learn to cultivate a mindful awareness in all postures, sitting, walking, and lying down.
Eating Meditation: An awareness of food, and the mindful understanding of the entire process of nourishment and eating is included in the practice at retreats. Retreatants are encouraged to bring the same calm, focused attention to eating as is brought to stationary and movement meditations. Mindful eating is a wonderful context for the arising of insights. Every bite of food we eat contains, rain, sun, earth and the work of many, many beings.
Dharma Talks and guided meditations: Each day, the teachers present a different set of teachings that are central to practicing mindfulness and compassion. These teaching can be applied to our own experience. Sometimes the talks focus on retreat practice, and sometimes they offer teachings for wise living in the world.
Donations/Dana: Please note that the price of the retreat covers accommodation, food, facilities, and other InsightLA expenses. To allow the teachers to continue their dharma work, support from the students is needed. There will be an opportunity to contribute at the end of the retreat to the teachers.
Yogi Jobs: Participation in this retreat will involve a light working meditation to support the community experience. When you arrive you will be assigned a daily task to complete with mindful attention. Please let us know if you have any physical challenges that might impact your ability to perform certain tasks. Please also bring long pants, closed toe shoes, and a shirt that you can change into in the event you are assigned a yogi job in the kitchen.
Accommodations: The center consists of 13 separate buildings and cabins for dining, meditation, and sleeping. The single-story residence cabins are large fully furnished and comfortable cabins with 3-4 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms for shared use. Cabins include both single and double rooms, a living room, central heating, a full kitchen, and a deck outside in nature. Cabins are simple yet fully set up for a comfortable stay in the mountains during retreat.
The Center: Big Bear Retreat Center offers a tranquil space nestled in the forested mountains. This natural environment offers the opportunity to settle and practice in nature. We offer several miles of secluded hiking trails, quiet forested land submerged in nature, and decks for outdoor practice and relaxation.
Meals: The center provides fresh, healthy vegetarian meals made with seasonal and organic ingredients to support a nourishing time and practice while at the center. Additionally offered are fresh daily juices.
Schedule:
Arrival and Checkin 2-4pm
Ends 11am (please be checked out of your cabin by 12pm)
COVID Requirements (read more):
-Proof of full vaccination + boost
-Proof of negative covid PCR test within 3 days prior to arrival
-Masks OptionalTo offer or join a ride share, click Sign-Up to the left. Thank you for supporting fellow practitioners.
