Southern Dharma retreats are distinguished by the natural beauty of the environment and by the small size of the retreats; most retreats have no more than twenty-five participants. People who come to Southern Dharma have all levels of experience with meditation. Some are beginners; some have been practicing for years, even decades. Unless a retreat is designated for experienced practitioners, the retreat is appropriate for all levels. We are united at Southern Dharma by a sincere interest in the spiritual journey and in silent meditation.
Location: Southern Dharma is located in a remore setting, surrounded by forest, part way up one of the Blue Ridge Mountains in Western North Carolina, about an hour and a half's drive northwest of Asheville. The retreat center itself is located on seven acres but is part of a one-hundred thirty acre preserve surrounded by miles of nearly undeveloped mountain terrain.
Elevation Facts: Southern Dharma at about 2900 feet elevation is a little less than halfway up the mountain which is 4070 feet high. The highest mountain nearby is Max Patch at 4600 feet. For comparison, Hot Springs is 1400 feet and Asheville is 2200 feet.
Facilities
include the meditation hall, lodge, and tent platforms. The lodge, which can accommodate
twenty-three, has a dining room, kitchen, small library, double bedrooms on the second
floor, and a dormitory room on the uppermost floor. All retreatants are housed on the
premises. Four tent platforms are located adjacent to a small mountain stream with many
waterfalls. Tent platforms may be reserved but we are unable to take reservations for
rooms in the lodge although any preference indicated on the registration form will be
taken into consideration. Rooms are assigned first on the basis of gender, then for any
special medical reasons, and finally in the order of registration. Only for retreats
with small enrollment is a single room available.
There are several trails -- along the stream, affording mountain views, and one to the top of the mountain.
The last mile of the road can be a challenge if one is intimidated by a gravel, one-lane mountain road with a steep drop-off on one side. Although the road is well maintained, has no ruts, is safe, and sufficiently wide enough for one lane, participants who would rather not drive on such a road may want to call the Southern Dharma office (828-622-7112) to arrange for pick-up by the staff at the bottom of the mountain.
Meals are entirely vegetarian. Organic and local produce are featured.
Scholarships: Thanks to the generosity of many, scholarships are provided for those with real financial need. Scholarships cover all or part of the retreat fee. There is no formal application form for a scholarship, but Southern Dharma expects scholarship applicants will be honest in their own self-evaluation of financial need with the understanding that the scholarship fund is limited. Applicants should submit a short letter describing their financial need together with the $35 processing fee. Perhaps scholarship recipients may be able to contribute to Southern Dharma in other ways, for example, by participating in a work weekend or by sending in a contribution should their financial situations change.
Volunteers at Retreats: Usually for each retreat, there is a volunteer to help the staff. In exchange for about four hours of work each day, volunteers are able to attend most of the retreat seesions. For a description of the volunteer program, see
| Information about Volunteer Opportunities |
Barring unforeseen circumstances, participants are expected to attend the entire retreat
except for retreats that specify in their descriptions that partial attendance is welcome.
For other retreats, if partial attendance is necessary, approval must be
obtained before registering.
Membership: By becoming a member of Southern Dharma, you are supporting the ecumenical spirit nourished at SDRC and helping us to create a place where people from many traditions can renew their deepest spiritual values through meditative practice. With your $40 membership fee, you are joining the larger community of those who value contemplation and the inner life, and you are helping to make possible a limited number of scholarships.
Private Retreats: The primary function of Southern Dharma is to host teacher led retreats. However, during times between teacher led retreats, those interested in using the facilities for private retreats may do so. Times during our winter break from teacher-led retreats -- early January to mid March -- are most convenient for private retreats. Please see
| Information about Private Retreats |
for more details.
Dana is a Pali word (the language spoken in India during the time of the Buddha about 400 BCE) meaning “generosity.” Teachers are reimbursed by Southern Dharma only for their travel. At the end of a retreat, retreatants are offered the opportunity to offer contributions (anonymous if they prefer) to the teacher. Southern Dharma Retreat Center also relies on financial support through charitable contributions.
Dharma is a Sanskrit word from the classical language of India. In its most profound meaning, dharma means the way, the way from darkness to light; from ignorance and delusion to wisdom; from suffering to peace and harmony.
Silence: All Southern Dharma retreats emphasize silence as a way to cultivate the inner life. But even the most silent retreats include a talk by the teacher each day and meditation instructions. Many retreats have interviews with the retreat teacher and discussion groups.
Visits: You are welcome to visit, but we request that you first send an email or call to make an appointment.
Space Availability: Current information about space availability in particular retreats can be found at the
| 2008 Retreat Schedule |
web page.
For further information and to ask questions call us at 828-622-7112 (mornings) or send an email by clicking here:
| southerndharma@earthlink.net |
For an essay describing the founding of Southern Dharma in 1978 by Elizabeth Kent, see
| Early History of Southern Dharma Retreat Center |