Awake in the New Year

An Interactive & Silent Retreat for the New Year

Monday, December 30th – Saturday, January 4th
Registration closes December 23rd at 11:59pm Pacific Time

The New Year is a powerful threshold. Buddhist traditions have long emphasized the importance of setting clear and supportive intentions in our spiritual and ethical life. In this New Year’s retreat you will be invited to listen deeply, reflect, restore, and create anew. You will be invited on an embodied journey bridging personal and collective awakening. Rather than setting New Year’s resolutions based on the myth of self-improvement, we will set intentions from the heart of our being, supporting each other in moving beyond limiting beliefs and the illusion of separate self.

Grounded in Buddhist traditions and acknowledging the gravity of the times we face, we will seek to cultivate compassion, clear-seeing, and possibility through meditation and mindful inquiry, dharma talks, relational mindfulness, reflective writing, somatic practices, and conscious movement.

In our time together, we will compassionately explore such questions as:

• What are my deepest intentions for the year ahead, for my life, and for our world in this age of global change?
• What lessons and hidden gems are there to harvest from 2024?
• What obstacles or limiting beliefs is it time to release, let go, and forgive – personally and on behalf of our collective? How do I let go of limiting beliefs?
• What is emerging through me and what is my practice in response to changes in our world?
• How can I fully engage the source of my deepest power and my peace?
• And how can my dharma practice support me in cultivating greater balance and personal sustainability in my life?

The transition to a New Year beckons with possibility and renewal. If we open to this invitation with wonder, curiosity, and courage, we can touch into wise-hearted guidance within and also the embrace and support of the world around us.

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

Cost:

*retreat fees below guarantee a room type, however if space is available guests will automatically be upgraded room types, when possible*
*retreat fees include teacher compensation*

Single room with private bath $2,150

Single room with shared bath $1,750

Double room with shared bath $1,250

Triple room with shared bath $890

Are finances a barrier to attend? We strive to make retreats as accessible as possible to anyone. Contact us if finances are a burden in any way, we have several options to make these retreats financially accessible to you. We ask that these be prioritized for those who self-identify as BIPOC, hold marginalized identities, or in financial need. Contact us at guestservices@bigbearretreatcenter.org for more information.

   

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.

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 our website for more on the cancellation policy for this retreat- bigbearretreatcenter.org/cancellation-policy