At Home New Year's Retreat - When Everything Falls Apart, What Remains?

Our world has seen a massive upheaval as a result of the coronavirus pandemic, ongoing racism and political divisiveness. We are all having to deal with changes in our lives and the communities we live in. At times it may seem like everything is falling apart and we are left with a profound feeling of uncertainty. Now more than ever the dharma and our meditation practice can be a refuge to meet the present challenges.

During this retreat we will explore the ancient teachings of:

• The Don’t Know Mind (making friends with uncertainty)
• Impermanence (this too shall pass)
• Dissolution (when everything falls apart, what remains?)
• Non Duality (Something isn’t separate from Everything)

Our meditation draws on mindfulness, Vipassana and Pure Awareness. Clear instruction will be offered for all levels.
Loving Kindness and Compassion Meditation and chanting are also part of our week together. A special focus will be how to practice and hold our hearts open with the discomfort, stress and pain of today’s world.

Our days will include daily instruction, sitting meditation live with the Zoom group or on your own, walking meditation, small group meetings, dharma talks, mindful movement and chanting.

We recognize that some people participating with Zoom from home may have others in the dwelling and not be able to observe total silence. Please just do the best you can with mindfulness of the home around you. A retreat such as this is a wonderful way to integrate and deepen our practice in our home environment. If circumstances allow, zoom sessions will be hosted by one or both of the teachers on site at Southern Dharma.

Being with community is especially helpful during these times of isolation and social distancing and you are invited to welcome in the New Year with a week of meditation, dharma, chanting and spiritual friendship.

Click here to view the Preliminary Retreat Schedule

Prerequisite: One weekend-long silent meditation retreat (or longer). If you have any questions about this prerequisite, please email registrar@southerndharma.org.