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The greatest gift is the
gift of the teachings
 
Retreat Dharma Talks

Awakening Mindfulness and Compassion

Cultivate the wisdom and compassion we need to carry forward into our lives. Join us for a five-night silent retreat in the beautiful natural setting of Big Bear Retreat Center, only two hours from Los Angeles. We will spend our days deepening our meditation practice in the service of cultivating wisdom and compassion that we need in our lives.  As we settle our minds, supported by nature, we can see ourselves and the world with deeper clarity and allow our inner wisdom to emerge.

2025-09-29 (6 days) Big Bear Retreat Center

  
2025-09-30 Morning Instructions 45:05
Leslie Booker
2025-09-30 Is it Okay to be Aware of Just This? 43:18
Diana Winston
This foundational talk on mindfulness offers insight into why and how to practice mindfulness, what makes meditation difficult, the qualities of a mindful mind, and the fruits of the practice.
2025-09-30 Metta practice 43:03
Leslie Booker
2025-10-01 Morning Instruction 40:34
Diana Winston
Focus on Investigative Awareness and Working with Pain
2025-10-01 The Hindrances 46:31
Leslie Booker
2025-10-02 Guided Meditation: Working with Emotions 47:45
Leslie Booker
RAIN DROP!
2025-10-02 The Merging of Love & Wisdom 50:24
Diana Winston
This talk explores the way wisdom develops and focuses on the three characteristics of impermanence, suffering, and not self. It touches on not clinging, dropping bananas, two arrows, and how love fits into it all.
2025-10-02 Dry and Wet Loving Kindness 41:42
Diana Winston
Two forms of practicing loving kindness are explored here: Dry– thoughts based, and wet– emotions based.
2025-10-03 The Full Spectrum of Awareness 26:45
Diana Winston
After a creative interpretation of the Spectrum of Awareness Practices, we meditate with all four: Focused, Investigative, Open, and Natural
2025-10-03 Dharma talk on integrating the practice 45:05
Leslie Booker
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