At Home Retreat - The Four Noble Truths: Dharma Study & Practice

The Four Noble Truths are the core essential teachings of the Buddha. They inspire a full engagement with life in ways that open the heart and turn the mind towards a deeper understanding of suffering and its role in cultivating wisdom, compassion, love and the joy – qualities of an awakening mind.

The teachings of these Truths illuminate and guide us along the path of insight, love and liberation. Along the way, they provide clarity that dispels confusion and inform a way of being with life that makes sense of this existence, while promoting happiness.

While together, during this dharma study and practice retreat, we will use the Four Noble Truths as dharma mirrors of our experience. The Four Noble Truths are: 1. the Truth of suffering, 2. the Truth of the cause of suffering, 3. the Truth of the end of suffering, 4. the Truth of the path that leads to the end of suffering – or more simply put, suffering exists, it has a cause, it has an end, and it has a cause to bring about its end.

At Home Retreat

An at home retreat offers an opportunity to carry our precious practice over the threshold into everyday living, with deep care and clarity of intention. At home retreats help to merge the experience of formal retreat practice with everyday life. As a result, this retreat will strengthen faith and confidence in the ability to remain present, balanced, resilient and skillfully responsive during this stressful time of rapidly changing causes and effects.

After registering, each person will receive more specific information about the daily schedule and how to use the time during the home practice portions of the retreat.

In general, the daily schedule will establish a contemplative environment in both group and home based practice periods. Mornings will begin with a group meditation and include dharma study, contemplation, discussion, and guided meditations related to each Noble Truth. Afternoons will be spent integrating themes, carried over from the morning dharma study, into at home practice periods. The at home practice schedule will provide opportunities to experiment with a balance of formal practice and ordinary activities. Evenings will begin with a group meditation followed by a dharma talk and discussion.

Click here to view the preliminary retreat schedule

For our 2021 at home retreats, three fee tiers are offered. Please choose the option that best fits your ability to give in this time. Any amount paid above the Base rate is a tax deductible contribution to Southern Dharma Retreat Center. Your confirmation email is your receipt for tax purposes.

We are deeply grateful for your support.

Registration fees do not include dana for the teacher. In the Buddhist tradition the teachings are offered freely and teachers are not paid for their offerings. They rely on dana contributions from students. Similarly, Southern Dharma keeps registration fees low to ensure the Dharma is accessible to all. Fees cover only a fraction of Southern Dharma’s operating expenses. We appreciate your practice of generosity to continue the dissemination of the Dharma!

Southern Dharma is now offering 50% scholarship awards for BIPOC and young adults in addition to those with financial need. Indicate your interest in a scholarship during the registration process. More information available here.