Rest in Simplicity

Open to experienced and new practitioners.

Registration closes on September 8, 2026. If joining after this date, please contact us.

Join us for an in person retreat in the beautiful San Bernardino mountains and deepen your practice within this secluded setting in nature.

We live in an increasingly complex world, and many of us long for more stillness and quiet in our busy lives. During this six day silent Insight meditation retreat, we’ll learn to slow down and attune to the fresh simplicity of our present moment experience, rest in stillness, and connect with the heart’s inner capacity for healing and freedom.

Together we will explore some of the supports for presence: letting go of distraction, the deliberate cultivation of simplicity and contentment, and a renewed sense of connection with our own bodies, hearts, and minds in community. By bringing mindful attention to our moment to moment experience, we can learn to cultivate resilience amidst change and grow in awareness, love, and wisdom. As we focus on practices that quiet the mind and open the heart, we support a continuity of mindfulness and the unfolding of insight and a deepening of our meditation practice.

The structure of this silent Insight meditation retreat includes guided meditation with Q&A each day, time for silent sitting and walking meditation periods, rest, mindful eating instruction, Dharma talks, and small group practice discussion meetings with the teachers. Developing and deepening mindfulness in retreat supports awakening the heart and mind for greater ease, balance, and clarity in daily life.

HEAR MORE ABOUT THIS PROGRAM AND TEACHERS

Dawn and Celeste really got through to me in a way that no other teacher has before. Their loving spirits, gentle demeanor, and presence made this retreat so wonderful and helped me experience myself more than I would have thought possible. – Annie C

This retreat was my first, ever. I meditated a lot but never as intensively as one would while on retreat. During the retreat I faced every aspect of myself, in the loving company of sangha (which I never experienced until then). Love, joy and a blissful feeling filled my experience during this whole retreat. It was a very beautiful experience. The teachers were lovely, the administrative work was exquisite, the community was phenomenal. I can’t express with words how deep and lovely this experience was. – Guillermo C

The Rest in Simplicity Retreat was so well and thoughtfully planned, down to every session and Dharma talk. The teachers, Celeste and Dawn, were incredibly warm, passionate, authentic, and engaging leaving me feeling inspired about the Dharma and wanting to learn more. – Krista P

WHAT TO EXPECT ON THIS RETREAT

This is a silent mindfulness retreat with alternating sitting and walking meditation, instruction, dharma talks, work meditation, and practice discussion with the teachers.

Learn more ABOUT RETREAT & SEE A SAMPLE SCHEDULE.

GENEROSITY: Retreat Costs and Fees

Registration fees for this retreat support the cost of developing and offering BBRC programs, which include lodging, meals, and staff compensation. Teacher compensation is not included in your registration fees. We price fees to make programs as financially accessible as possible.

As part of this tradition, many meditation teachers (including the teachers of this retreat) offer their teachings without set fees or compensation. As a practice of generosity from the heart, participants are invited to offer “teacher dana” (donations-generosity) to the teachers at the end of the retreat. It is encouraged but not required. Learn more about dana here.

Is cost a barrier? Nobody is turned away at Big Bear Retreat Center due to finances. We ask that financial assistance be prioritized for those who self-identify as BIPOC, hold marginalized identities, or are in financial need. For more information, please contact us at guestservices@bigbearretreatcenter.org.

SIMPLE YET COMFORTABLE, NESTLED IN NATURE

Accommodations

We offer several lodging choices nestled in nature for each retreat.

Meals

Our meals are freshly prepared to support your retreat experience.

Preparing for your retreat

We offer several resources and information to best help you plan your time on retreat with us.

Getting to BBRC

We have several resources to support your travel. Visit Getting to BBRC & Rideshares and Shuttles for more.

FEEL WELCOME AND INCLUDED: A PLACE TO BELONG

Our intention is to be as accessible as we can, even in ways that we may not be aware of yet. We hope this is a space of inclusivity where people feel welcome and held. For us, it is a practice of consistent attunement, presence and care to our community. However you identify – race, gender, sexuality, disability, mental health, and so on – it is our wish to meet your needs for belonging.

Please consider this about our environment:

– The center is on a hill with outdoor walkways between dining, gathering, and residential spaces.

– We are located at an elevation of 6,500 feet altitude in a ski town in the mountains of Southern California.

– We experience weather of all four seasons.

– We are located about 2 hours from Los Angeles and near 3 major airports. Learn more about getting here.

– We have a commitment to everyone’s mobility needs. Please contact us about ADA accessibility.

Visit our Planning Your Retreat page to learn more about accessibility and other resources. Contact us if we can support ahead of time.

HEAR MORE ABOUT BIG BEAR RETREAT CENTER

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

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!!

Big Bear Retreat Center is indeed a refuge. A safe space to open your heart. – Laura