Be Who You Are, Live From the Heart

It is sometimes said that the most essential question in life and spiritual practice is, “Who (or what) am I, truly?”

We are taught to believe a great many things about who we are that are not at all true. We learn to assume that we are separate from the mysterious and harmonious unfolding of life in each moment. We come to believe that we are not the person we should be, and then our imagined flaws prevent us from living happily and confidently, as we otherwise would do. Our spiritual work is to wake up to the truth, which is that we are good and beautiful people, each of us, in our authentic nature. Here is our opportunity in this life: to remember who we truly are, and so live in clarity and peace.

Over the course of this retreat we will explore the teachings the Buddha offered and the tools we may employ in order to dismantle the illusion of our separateness. In order to discover who we truly are, the best and most effective method is to identify what we are not, and so that’s where we’ll start. How do we unconsciously maintain the fictions we were taught? Who is this false person we sometimes believe ourselves to be? Then, once we’ve established that which is untrue about ourselves, we’ll take a look to see what is true. When the illusion falls away, what remains? What actually is this thing we call “our authentic nature”? And how does our practice assist us in living the reality, rather than the fiction? I look forward to exploring these and other interesting things during our days of practice together.

The retreat will include several periods of sitting and walking meditation, two group discussions, yoga, and three meals each day. The schedule will be somewhat relaxed in order to provide plenty of time to rest, to be outside, to move the body, and enjoy the beauty of the mountains all around. There will also be daily opportunities for one-on-one guidance. As usual, the retreat will be held in silence outside of the workshop sessions.

I hope you will consider giving yourself these several introspective days in which to explore the teachings, deepen your practice, connect ever more intimately with yourself, and enjoy a few precious days of life on this Earth without distraction. I very much look forward to being with you and practicing with you there!

We will not be requiring or administering Covid-19 tests in 2025, but please bring mindfulness to your activity in the days leading up to the retreat out of consideration for our staff, teachers and participants. Masks will be optional and encouraged, especially if a participant is feeling unwell. Avoiding higher risk situations and making use of masks whenever possible will minimize the likelihood of transmitting viruses to others while on site. We strongly encourage folks to stay home if they are symptomatic of any communicable illness.

First-time retreatants at Southern Dharma must arrive by 5pm ET on the first day of retreat. Check-in begins at 3pm. Returning yogis can check-in between 3 and 6pm.

Departures will take place by 2:00pm on the last day of retreat. Please make sure that you can attend the full program before registering.

All registrations are subject to our new 2025 cancellation policy. All retreatants must review and agree to this policy upon registration.

For our 2025 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.

Note that registration fees do not include dana for the teacher(s). 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.

Housing and all meals are included in the program fee. We are now currently offering five housing options:

1. Bed in Lodge, shared double room (2nd floor)
2. Bed in Lodge, dorm with privacy partitions (3rd floor)
3. Unheated kuti (single cabin, outdoor bathroom)
4. Basic Tent Platform (camping with your own gear)

*Please note: Southern Dharma is no longer able to offer Heated Kutis. All Kutis are Unheated with no electricity. 

Please use the appropriate field in the registration process to let us know your preferences in regards to housing, if any, and also specify if you insist on or prefer being housed with others of the same gender. All housing options are priced the same except for the Basic Tent Platform.

Southern Dharma offers 50% scholarship awards for BIPOC and Young Adults, in addition to those with financial need. Indicate your interest in a Southern Dharma in-house scholarship during the registration process.

In 2025, the Hemera Foundation will not be offering fellowships in the same manner as pervious years, there will be no application or approval process. Southern Dharma is deeply grateful for Hemera Foundation’s continued support of the center’s ability to provide scholarships through their generous grant. Yogis who have utilized Hemera Foundation Fellowships in the past are welcome to utilize any of the in-house scholarship options.