Gratitude Awakening

Come and experience the joyful essence of our true nature in the spring mountain forest with Rev. WonGong at Southern Dharma. 

To go into our inner calm, we will observe Noble Silence, practicing many forms of meditation—sitting, movement, nature contemplation, journaling, meditative breathing, lying-down relaxation, and more. 

We will explore the fundamental philosophy of gratitude through the Fourfold Grace of Won Buddhism—Grace of Heaven & Earth, Parents, Fellow Beings, and Just Laws. This contemplation will deepen our knowledge and experience, guiding us to the inexhaustible wellspring of gratitude. This practice opens us to find gratitude in the midst of difficulties and challenges, transforming anxiety and fear into hope and resilience. 

Our daily practice will be deepened through equanimity, insight, and mindfulness—the Threefold Practice of Won Buddhism. Our gratitude meditation and contemplation will flow between practice at rest and practice in motion.

This retreat will include group and individual teaching and sharing with ample free time for hiking and rest. In harmony with the interconnectedness of all things, we will practice both indoors and outdoors (weather permitting), bathing in the vibrant early spring energy of the mountains. Through this retreat, may we restore our joyous, numinous awareness, re-discovering grace within!

The retreat will provide generous personal time, but please be aware that your full participation in group activities is essential. This retreat requires prior multi-day residential retreat experience, or permission of the teacher. (Rev. WonGong’s email: WontempleNC@gmail.com).

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 currently offering six 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. Heated kuti (single cabin, outdoor bathroom)
5. Canvas Tent (furnished, outdoor bathroom)
6. Basic Tent Platform (camping with your own gear)

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.

This program is also eligible for Hemera Contemplative Fellowships. Please note that you must apply for the Fellowship prior to registering for any program. Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis.