The greatest gift is the
gift of the teachings
 
Retreat Dharma Talks at Big Bear Retreat Center

Opening the Heart, Deepening Wisdom

Dharma practice can unfold as a journey of both opening the heart and deepening wisdom – these two movements are intertwined, each reinforcing the other. Understanding this, we can sense that at every step of the path there is both heartfulness and freedom. In this retreat, we will explore classical insight practices, highlighting that these are also forms of opening the heart that evoke greater and greater freedom

2025-06-21 (6 days) Big Bear Retreat Center

  
2025-06-22 Morning Instructions: Mindfulness of Breathing 36:45
Kim Allen
2025-06-22 The Near Shore: Meeting Dukkha with Dharma 37:20
Diana Clark
A reflection on the discomfort of the “near shore” and how turning toward difficulties—rather than away from them—opens the path to freedom.
2025-06-22 Evening Reflection: Drop by Drop, and Metta 28:31
Kim Allen
2025-06-23 Morning Instructions: Mindfulness of the Body 58:51
Diana Clark
2025-06-23 Fashioning a Raft 44:45
Kim Allen
2025-06-24 Morning Instructions: Mindfulness of Emotions 51:48
Kim Allen
2025-06-24 Neither Tarrying nor Hurrying: The Art of Allowing 43:38
Diana Clark
Exploring how the practice of allowing offers a third way—beyond control or avoidance—into presence and insight.
2025-06-25 Morning Instructions: Mindfulness of Thinking 49:39
Diana Clark
2025-06-25 The Fruits of Practice - Wise Living 28:35
Kim Allen
Creative Commons License