“All that we are is the result of what we have thought: it is founded on our thoughts, it is made up of our thoughts. If one speaks or acts with pure thoughts, happiness follows like a shadow that never leaves.” — Dhammapada, Verse 2

In our daily lives, effort often looks like striving: pushing to achieve, succeed, or prove something to others. But in Buddhism, the most powerful effort we can make is internal. It’s the effort to develop a mind full of ease, kindness, and gentleness.

In this retreat, open to young adults 35 and under, we’ll explore what the Buddha truly meant by Right Effort, focusing on the Four Great Efforts as tools to support our hearts and minds.

The Four Great Efforts:

The First Effort: The effort to protect the mind from unwholesome thoughts from arising.
Through concentration you will develop the agency to place your awareness on a chosen object, such as the breath, to protect your mind from wandering into stressful thoughts.

The Second Effort: The effort to remove unwholesome thoughts that already have arisen.
Through mindfulness you will gain the awareness to observe any stressful thoughts that arise and respond with kindness and clarity.

The Third Effort: The effort to cultivate wholesome thoughts that have not yet arisen.
Through loving kindness meditation, you will learn to intentionally develop thoughts that bring you inner peace and gentleness.

The Fourth Effort: The effort to strengthen wholesome thoughts that have already arisen.
Through consistent practice you will develop the confidence to live your life from a secure and loving inner presence.

The retreat will take place in noble silence, offering an environment conducive to deep practice. Daily activities will include meditation instructions, Dharma talks, mindful movement, silent sitting and walking meditation, and group interviews to support your practice.

This retreat is open to both beginners and experienced meditators, 35 and under.

*When planning your budget, consider including a contribution of dana (generosity) for the teachers at the conclusion of the retreat.

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 four 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 is 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.