Provide a place of refuge and a sacred container for spiritual practices of Noble Silence, meditation, reflection, and mindful awareness. Provide practitioners from all backgrounds and at all levels, from beginner to advanced, with inspirational teachings and practices from Buddhist and related traditions.
Our Vision is to support those who seek wisdom, compassion, and awakening through direct experiences that lead to a transformation of heart and mind for the benefit of all beings. Board service at Southern Dharma Retreat Center is a wonderful way to practice the honored tradition of Dana, in support of the spiritual growth and well-being of others.
Our Vision is to support those who seek wisdom, compassion, and awakening through direct experiences that lead to a transformation of heart and mind for the benefit of all beings. Board service at Southern Dharma Retreat Center is a wonderful way to practice the honored tradition of Dana, in support of the spiritual growth and well-being of others.
Services
Simply put, meditation is the practice of observing one's present moment experience with a friendly and non-judgmental awareness. On meditation retreat, one has the opportunity to strengthen their ability to notice all things that arise and fall away in life, from great joys to deep sorrows, with greater stillness, clarity and compassion.
Find YOUR center at one of Southern Dharma's unique At Home Retreat offerings. Our retreats are Zoom-hosted virtual containers lovingly created by the Southern Dharma staff and retreat teachers for your meditative and spiritual practice. In this time of social distancing and quarantining you've likely heard about virtual retreats, online meditations, and remote mindfulness offerings.
You will be provided a schedule to follow upon arrival, similar to the one below. There is some variation between retreats, as some might include more or less movement, chanting, music, Q&A, reflections in dyads, individual or small group meetings/interviews with the teacher. While on retreat, we encourage you to practice putting down your ideas of how the schedule "should" be.
This is a very common story that we often hear prospective or current retreatants telling themselves. How can you know until you try? To experience the benefits of silent retreat, you must allow your body and mind some time to adjust to a new way of being, just like the body would a new workout routine.
Two of Southern Dharma's guiding principles as an organization are Hospitality and Accessibility. We recognize that we are on a continuous journey to make people feel increasingly welcome, supported, and included in every aspect of our programs and our physical spaces. Toward that end, the Center offers multiple forms of financial assistance for attending our retreats.
Reviews (10)
Katherine Acenas
Dec 28, 2021
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I went on a week long retreat Sept 2020. I never have been to a retreat, yet I have been meditating for two years. The retreat was during the COVID, they had us do a test before going and there, they kept us safe and the staff safe.
Meditating several times a day, took my practice to a whole new level. I have been able to maintain since I've been back to everyday life, work and family.
Yes, take the time for yourself and go on a retreat. We are all beginners.
Meditating several times a day, took my practice to a whole new level. I have been able to maintain since I've been back to everyday life, work and family.
Yes, take the time for yourself and go on a retreat. We are all beginners.
Stephen Synchronicity
Dec 06, 2021
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Southern Dharma Retreat Center provides one of the best retreat experiences in the Southern US. The selection of teachers and topics on their yearly schedule is diverse and compelling and the enrollment process is smooth and simple. Sliding scale fees & multiple scholarships are available for those with financial challenges. The center itself is secluded in the beautiful Blue Ridge mountains where retreatants can experience moments of pristine silence and natural beauty. Accomodations are cozy all around. The staff are kind & helpful and do everything they can to ensure you have an ideal retreat
NDigo Yaayaa Kali
Sep 30, 2021
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My one week stay at the center was invaluable and life changing. The SDRC staff have done a wonderful job cultivating a peaceful environment to inspire self-reflection and meaningful change. I felt at home, comfortable, and cared for physically and spiritually. This will not be my last time visiting, and I highly recommend others to attend!
Lars Van De Fliert
Sep 22, 2021
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Jeanne Larsen
Aug 30, 2021
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Just wonderful. Great staff, beautiful location. Every retreat is different, but for the 5 or 6 I've done, SDRC's basic structure & atmosphere provides just the right framework. Breathe deep and slow as you drive up that last bit of gravel road, remember that temps are cooler in the mountains, feel gratitude.
Martine Jones
Mar 08, 2021
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I have been on 3 meditation retreats at Southern Dharma and all of them have been incredible. They create a beautiful container in which participants can be free to give themselves over to the practice without having to worry about timing, food, comfort etc. The setting is stunning and it feels wonderful to immerse oneself in the beautiful mountain feels. And the food is vegan/vegetarian and absolutely delicious. I can't wait to go back.
White
Feb 16, 2021
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I have been participating in retreats at Southern Dharma yearly since 2013 and each experience has been fulfilling. There is high quality and expertise of the teachers in a quiet, well run, peaceful mountain setting. Retreats are small and intimate.The staff is always so helpful without being intrusive, helping maintain the retreat container. During COVID, I have profited from the at-home retreats which has been well run and very intimate. I had the privilege of being an onsite volunteer last September, combining work and personal retreat. Southern Dharma is a jewel in North Carolina.
Cathy Cole
Cathy Cole
Eddie LeShure
Feb 13, 2021
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Over the last 11 years I have done 12 retreats at Southern Dharma, ranging from 4 days to 14 days. In every case, I experienced staff as being extremely focused on providing the best possible experience for those of us there. From grounds keeping, to the meals, to safety, to addressing concerns of participants it's always been excellent. I know of no other retreat center that is equal to SDRC, and I am so grateful they are located only about 90 minutes away for me.
Alan MacDougall
Feb 12, 2021
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Recently completed an online retreat with the SDRC. It was super well-organized and very professional -- any technical issues were dealt with promptly -- at the same time they were able to help create a very laid back atmosphere necessary for a retreat (a hard balance to strike). On top of this, I got a strong sense of the tightly knit community at the Retreat Center. Would love to visit sometime in the future! Thanks SDRC!
Jessie Mathers
Sep 10, 2020
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I have been to an in-person retreat (per-COVID) and a self-led retreat/volunteer week during COVID-times and I can't say enough wonderful things about SDRC. The teachers and retreats are top-notch, the staff is kind and knowledgeable, the food is delicious and the surroundings are nothing short of breath-taking. Beware that if you go once, you'll be hooked for life!
