Early Bird Rate Extended!

Gullu Singh, Louije Kim and Gabrielle Hammond (Qi Gong)

The 5-Day Retreat will be offered in person at Big Bear Retreat Center:

Register Online

Imagine yourself immersed in a natural environment, dedicated solely to cultivating mindfulness, with the support of dedicated teachers. This meditation retreat provides a supportive environment and opportunity to delve into the practice, which can lead to reclaiming a feeling of well being, and being free from the weight of worry, regret, loss, pain and stress.

In this retreat we’ll focus on the Buddha’s teachings and instructions in establishing and maintaining mindfulness drawing from the Satipathhana Sutta, a seminal discourse on mindfulness. We’ll practice Mindfulness of the Breath and Body, Mindfulness of Feeling Tone and Mindfulness of Mind. The Buddha describes mindfulness as “the direct path to the purification of beings, the surmounting of sorrow and lamentation, for the disappearance of suffering and discontent” and the realization of peace.

This retreat will also offer one session of qigong daily, using slow guided movements that help metabolize areas of resistance and hindrances that can arise on retreat. These movements are safe, gentle, and oriented toward the healing aspect of the body and heart. There are many options for participation by all bodies and all states of ability.

The retreat will be held in noble silence with alternating periods of sitting or stationary meditation and walking or movement. Teachers will provide guidance and instruction and meet with students to offer support.

In the stillness and silence powerful things begin to happen. Your awareness sharpens, your body quiets, and your mind clears. This creates the space for insights and understanding to emerge naturally. Without distractions, you'll find yourself encountering yourself with greater clarity and honesty.

This deeper self-knowledge paves the way for transformation. You'll discover how to approach each moment with clarity, kindness, and wakefulness. By developing your awareness, you'll find yourself journeying towards liberation, inner peace, and a heart filled with tranquility.

The Retreat meets the requirements for teacher training and certification at the Mindfulness-Based Professional Training Institute, University of California San Diego.

Join us to nourish and sustain your practice, in a safe, beautiful environment, wonderful healthy food, with experienced teachers.

Each participant will have a daily Yogi Volunteer Job at the center for approximately 30 minutes each day. More information will be provided to you before the program starts.

Learn more about the retreat.

Tentative Schedule

First Day

Registration: 2 - 4 p.m.

Dinner: 5:30 p.m.

First Session: 7:00 p.m.

Last Day Session Ends: around 11:30 a.m.

Sample Daily Schedule (may vary depending on the venue’s kitchen schedule)

7 a.m. – 7:30 a.m. Optional sit

7:30 a.m. – 8:30 a.m. Mindful Movement

8:30 a.m. – 9:30 a.m. Breakfast

9:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. Practice Period
(sitting and walking meditation, with some guidance in the early days.)

12:30 p.m. – 1:30 p.m. Lunch

2:30 p.m. – 5:30 p.m. Practice period

5:30 p.m. – 6:30 p.m. Dinner

7 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. Practice and Dharma Talk

8:30 p.m. Lights out

Cancellation Policy

A refund (minus $300 non-refundable deposit) will be made for cancellations submitted by emailing mindfulness@healthucsd.edu on or before 30 days prior to the start of the retreat. No refunds will be allowed after this date. Registration, deposits, and funds are non-transferable.

In the unlikely event that the course is cancelled, UC San Diego Center for Mindfulness is responsible only for a full refund of the registration fee and not for transportation, hotel accommodations or any miscellaneous expenses.

The refunds are processed in the same method as payment were submitted.