We warmly invite you to join us for five days and four nights at Big Bear Retreat Center for a spacious silent retreat dedicated to nourishing the connections with ourselves, each other, and the beauty of the natural world. Gathering at the cusp of the vernal equinox is a special time to experience the natural transitions of oneself and the Earth – the waking up from the darker quieter days of winter into the return of expanded light, the greening of spring, and clearing a space for both introspection and fresh, creative energy to emerge.
 

It is an ancient experience to come together as women and hold a sacred space. This can be a time to honor the women who have come before us as we sit in the quiet stillness sensing our compassionate connection. We receive the strength and support of the collective and bear witness to our innate authenticity while allowing Mother Earth to hold us and guide us back to the natural rhythm of balance, belonging, deep listening, and intuitive feminine wisdom.

---

DATES:
Wednesday to Sunday
March 5 - 9, 2025
Big Bear Retreat Center
Big Bear Lake, California

Drawing on the perspectives of Buddhist practice, everyday mindfulness, and the wisdom of the natural world, our silent retreat includes meditation throughout the day, mindful movement, small group practice discussions, and daily dharma wisdom talks. This spacious silent retreat includes time to take a hike, write, draw or paint, rest, and connect in the gorgeous surroundings of Big Bear Retreat Center. 

Each day our catered vegetarian meals will be nutritious, varied and carefully designed to support contemplative retreat practice. Additionally, all of the lodging will be in private, simple, and elegant rooms - some with private bathrooms, some with shared bathrooms. Choose your lodging when you register.

DATES:
Wednesday to Sunday
March 5 - 9, 2025
Arrive Wednesday, 2pm to 4pm
Retreat Ends Sunday, Noon

Fees: all inclusive of housing, meals, and teacher compensation
Private room with private bath – $1,600.00
Private room with shared bath – $1,280.00

At the conclusion of the retreat there will be the opportunity to offer dana (financial support) for our chefs, Big Bear Retreat Center, as well as contributing to the Pacific Mindfulness Community Scholarship Fund. This is entirely voluntary and though greatly appreciated, not a requirement to attend this retreat.

The Women's Springtime Nature Retreat is open to both beginning and seasoned practitioners, to all female-identified persons over the age of 18, including LGBTQIA+.

Big Bear Retreat Center, a 2.5-hour drive from Los Angeles. Nestled in the ancient Juniper forests of the San Bernardino Mountains at an elevation of 7,000 feet near the town of Big Bear Lake in Southern California, the Center is immersed in nature amidst 100 acres of forested land with direct access to several hiking trails connected to the property. 

Heidi and Laurie have been leading nature-based women's retreats together since 2016. We hope you'll join us!

Details & Registration
Registration for this retreat closes on February 19th, 2025 at 11:59pm Pacific Time.

---

The Teaching Team:

Heidi Bourne is a meditation teacher in the Insight Meditation tradition and is the founder and guiding teacher of Pacific Mindfulness. She has been teaching since 2005 offering classes, series courses, nature retreats, trauma-informed and resiliency-focused professional programs, and teaches regularly for Spirit Rock Meditation Center. Heidi is especially interested in the integration of the common sense, accessible and timeless teachings of awareness, ethics, and compassion into the complexity of our everyday lives. She is known for her grounded, down-to-earth humor and presence. Heidi holds certification in mindfulness facilitation from UCLA, trauma resiliency from the Trauma Resource Institute, and is a member of the International Mindfulness Teachers Association. She has a background in nursing and over 35 years in small business leadership.

Laurie Cousins is a mindfulness teacher, integrative somatic practitioner, and trauma-informed educator based in Los Angeles. Part of her education and professional training include the mindfulness centers of UCLA and UCSD and she teaches their signature evidence-based programs of Mindful Awareness Practices and Mindful Self-Compassion. Laurie is mentored by Susan Kaiser Greenland and a lead teacher of the International Inner Kids Collaborative. As a certified CRM Teacher of the Trauma Resource Institute and specializing in the field of trauma and addiction recovery for over 15 years, Laurie offers a holistic approach in her teaching and private practice through somatic-centered healing, trauma-sensitive compassion training, and resiliency building. Laurie draws from her passion for the natural world, contemplative wisdom traditions, and motherhood to help guide people and families to overcome adversity, embrace their innate resiliency, and cultivate joyful connections and purpose.