Winter represents a season when we are called inward to rest, restore, and reflect on the labor of the year. It can be a difficult time as we may struggle with grief, isolation, fear, and the ambiguity of light’s precarious balance with darkness. If we ground ourselves in practice, this season can become a powerful foundation for our liberation from the illusion of duality which invites us into a profound relationship to the nature space and the clarity spaciousness offers us.

In this retreat, we will be relying on the New Saints teachings from Lama Rod’s latest work (which will be published in late October of this year) to train in practices that call in the intelligence and care of winter as a support to help us get free. We will be supported in practices that help us to connect to the earth and all the elements as well as practices cultivating awareness, care, and deep emotional labor for ourselves as well as our retreat community.

Prerequisite: Prior multi-day residential meditation retreat of any length.

In support of this year’s experience, we are prioritizing participation from the LGBTQIA+/trans and BIPOC communities. We will work to ensure that participants are not turned away on financial grounds and will operate an open application process. Applications are closed.

The application process will close at 12pm ET on Friday, August 25th and we will reach out on Monday, August 28th regarding the selection process. A third of the spaces plus any remaining spaces from the application process will also be made available first come, first served to practitioners meeting the prerequisite on September 1st at 2pm ET.

We no longer require COVID-19 vaccinations to attend our programs, but do still require testing. We require all registered participants to present negative results from a Covid test performed in the 3 days prior to the start of your retreat AND that you consent to being tested upon your arrival at Southern Dharma. Any rapid antigen test is acceptable for testing, including over-the-counter at-home tests.

Thank you for your understanding as we work to ensure the safety of our staff, teachers, retreatants, and larger community!

Check-in from 4-6pm; Early arrivals may be accommodated – email registrar@southerndharma.org to request.

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.

For our 2023 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

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 is now offering 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.