Awakening in the New Year

in partnership with

Big Bear Retreat Center is a meditation retreat center located in the forested mountains of Southern California (2.5 hour drive from Los Angeles) on about 100 acres of private forested land and connected to the national forest, giving us plenty of space for hiking trails, peace, and serenity. It’s a wonderful place for all forms of practice – a space to RECONNECT, RECHARGE, and REST.

Practicing together at the turn of the New Year will provide an ideal time for reflection and taking refuge in dharma and community. By taking time to pause and look into our hearts, we can better care for ourselves and those around us with loving attention and wise action. Through deep inquiry we can also clarify our direction for the New Year and live from the truest part of ourselves. With the support of a flexible practice schedule, guidance from the teachers and a warm community of participants, let’s awaken to the New Year together.

Schedule (PT):
Bolded segments are group practice times, the others are suggested but optional

December 28
4:45 p.m. Welcome, Overview and Introductions
5:15 – 6:30 Practice

December 29 – January 1
7:30 a.m. Sitting
8:15 Walking
9:00 a.m. Instructions and Sitting
10:30 Walking and Sitting or Small Group Meetings With the Teachers
12:00 Lunch or break
1:30 p.m. Sitting
2:15 Mindful Movement
3:00 p.m. Meditation and Q&A
3:45 p.m. Walking and Break
5:15 p.m. Dharma Talk/Meditation
6:30 Break
7:45 Evening Sitting and Walking

January 2
7:30 a.m. Sitting
8:15 Walking
9 a.m. Meditation
9:45 Walking
10 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. Closing Circle

On December 31 and January 1, participants will have the opportunity to attend either a small group breakout or private meeting with the teachers.

Walking Meditation (or movement meditation): Throughout the retreat we learn to cultivate mindful awareness in all postures: sitting, walking, standing, and lying down. In mindful walking meditation practice, we learn to sustain meditative awareness through movement, and establish continuity of mindfulness in the midst of activity. Walking meditation helps us to bridge the gap between our experiences in seated meditation and daily life. We alternate between sitting and walking meditation to support the establishment of mindfulness and concentration and to balance the factors of energy and calm in our practice. The Buddha invited us to establish mindfulness in all postures. For those who find walking meditation is not possible, alternate forms of mindful movement are suggested.

Eating Meditation: Instructions will be given on how to integrate the process of nourishment and eating as a meditation during retreat for continuity of mindfulness and a deepening of practice. Retreatants are encouraged to bring the same calm, focused attention to eating as is brought to sitting, walking, and other activities. Through reflection on the Buddhist teaching of interdependence, we have the opportunity to slow
down and recognize each bite of food we eat is a result of countless causes and conditions and to appreciate the blessing of mindful nourishment.

Dharma Talks and guided meditations:  Each day, the teachers present a different set of teachings that are central to practicing mindfulness and compassion. These teachings can be applied to our own direct experience. Sometimes the talks focus on retreat practice, and sometimes they offer teachings for wise living in the world.

Dana/Generosity: There will also be an opportunity to offer Dana for the teachers and center at the end of the retreat. Thank you for your support!