Gathering In: A Fall Retreat for Mindfulness and Connection [Online]
October 24 - 26, 2025
An Online Weekend of Community, Presence, and Practice
As the leaves let go and drift gently earthward, we too are invited to release—into stillness, into presence, into connection.
We’ll gather in shared silence and intentional practice. Through solo meditation, guided relational mindfulness, and off-screen time for walking and movement, we’ll root into the wisdom of the season: slowing down, turning inward, and opening to the beauty of shared presence
Join us as we pause together, breathe together, and remember that connection—like the fall wind—is both grounding and free.potently healing combination of relational mindfulness, silent meditation, and somatic expression. We will move between silent trauma-informed mindfulness practice periods and relational mindfulness practice periods, interwoven with mindful movement, all from the comfort of your own home.
With the support of a guided mindfulness practice, group agreements, and thoughtful facilitation, we will explore what it's like to relate to other people. We can see what our reactions are, and notice how these reactions feel.
Relational mindfulness is an experiential practice of using mindfulness while in connection with others.
Sliding Scale
- Generosity – $570.00
- Sustainer – $375.00
- Semi-Supported – $270.00
- Supported – $150.00
- Scholarship – $75.00
Contact guestservices@bigbearretreatcenter.org if pricing options are a financial barrier
Date & Time Details: Online retreat begins 3pm Friday and ends 7:30pm Sunday.
(all times PT)
The Teachers
This teaching team has a combined 30+ years of experience leading Relational Mindfulness at Harvard, UCLA, IMS, Spirit Rock, iBme, East Bay Meditation Center and other practice communities.
“T” Maes is a Chicano and white man, born and raised in the East Bay. He has practiced Buddhist meditation since 2003, including long retreats and practicing in a forest monastery in Thailand. He is a teacher at Spirit Rock, East Bay Meditation Center and Inward Bound Mindfulness Education, where he teaches retreats and leads diversity/equity trainings, relational mindfulness and Qi Gong.
Devon Sangster Rath is a queer woman who cares deeply about the power of mindfulness practice as a tool to heal and liberate. She has practiced meditation since 1997 and has been formally teaching mindfulness since 2010. Devon is committed to making mindfulness accessible to all, specifically people who have a experienced trauma and historically marginalized populations, including people of color, LGBTQ folks, people of size and different body abilities.
Testimonials
