The Heart of Awakening: Exploring the Seven Factors

Open to experienced and new practitioners

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

During this weeklong meditation retreat, we will explore the seven awakening factors (bojjhanga) — the Buddha’s teachings on the qualities of mind and heart that lead to freedom and well-being. Together, we’ll learn to recognize, nurture, and balance these interrelated capacities: mindfulness, investigation, energy, joy, tranquility, concentration, and equanimity.

Each day will focus on one factor while honoring how they naturally arise and support one another: mindfulness opens the door to wise investigation, investigation kindles energy, energy gives rise to joy, joy settles into tranquility, tranquility deepens concentration, and concentration matures into equanimity. Through this unfolding process, we’ll attune to the natural intelligence of the mind and heart as they move toward balance, clarity and freedom.

This retreat offers a precious opportunity to step out of the momentum of daily life and enter the healing silence of sustained practice. We’ll tend to our inner lives with gentle attention and compassionate curiosity, learning to meet whatever arises with kindness and wisdom. In the supportive container of noble silence and the beauty of the natural world, we can let go of our usual patterns of distraction or striving, rest more deeply in presence, and reconnect with our innate capacity for peace and awakening.

Together, we’ll explore a balanced practice — neither forcing nor passive but engaged with wise effort — learning to work skillfully with the energetic states that arise in meditation and allowing the heart to settle and open. By bringing patient, continuous attention to our moment-to-moment experience, we can discover the profound stillness and aliveness that is always available beneath the surface of our busy lives.

The structure of this Vipassana retreat includes guided meditations focusing on each awakening factor, daily Dharma talks offering both traditional teachings and practical guidance, silent sitting and walking meditation periods throughout the day, rest time for integration and reflection, instruction in mindful eating practices, and small group practice discussion meetings with the teachers. The days will be held in supportive silence, allowing the mind to quiet and the heart to reveal its deeper truths.

Whether new to meditation or a seasoned practitioner, this retreat meets you where you are, supporting your next steps on the path. Come ready to be present, practice with dedication and self-compassion, and discover the transformative power of these timeless teachings in the company of fellow practitioners.

HEAR MORE ABOUT THIS PROGRAM AND TEACHERS

I greatly enjoyed Devon and Celeste’s teachings. They balanced each other so well and their wisdom was welcoming and inspiring.

They created an incredibly deep, trust-filled, and welcoming environment for practice. There was a wide-range of experience in the room, and it felt as if everyone was equally welcomed. I’m incredibly touched by the whole experience.

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