Scholarships

Thanks to the generosity of many, Southern Dharma is able to offer a limited number of scholarships to those who would be unable to attend a retreat without some financial assistance. Scholarship Retreatants commit to work up to two hours daily for the duration of one retreat in exchange for a reduced retreat fee (minimum of $35) based on their personal financial situation and are asked to contribute as much as they possibly can toward the full per-diem. Work exchange tasks assigned to Scholarship Retreatants usually can be completed at times that do not interfere with full participation in scheduled retreat activities.

The center expects those requesting financial aid to be honest in their own self-evaluation of need and to pay as much of the registration fee as possible with the understanding that the center's scholarship fund is limited. To apply for a scholarship, simply register for the retreat of interest, paying the $35 scholarship registration fee instead of the usual deposit. The scholarship application fee will be refunded if no scholarships are available for the retreat of interest on the day that a scholarship retreat registration is received. If a scholarship remains available, SDRC staff will contact applicants with information about how to complete an application.

Cancellation Policy

All registration deposits include a non-refundable, $35 registration fee. The remainder of the deposit will be refunded upon request provided that the center receives notice of the desire to cancel registration at least thirty days prior to the scheduled start date of the retreat. Alternatively, for cancellations received at least 30 days prior to the start of a retreat, the refundable portion of a deposit may be applied to the cost of registering for another retreat within the same year. The center very much appreciates knowing of a decision to cancel as early as possible so that space in the retreat can be made available to others and the appropriate amounts of food and other supplies purchased.

Dana

Dana is an ancient Pali word. The Pali language was commonly spoken in India during the Buddha's lifetime. In English, the word "Dana" means generosity—both the practice of generosity and the contributions made in that spirit. Southern Dharma invites retreatants to consider two types of Dana on the final day of each retreat—Teacher Dana and SDRC Retreat Dana. Teacher Dana supports teachers who lead retreats at Southern Dharma. The center itself reimburses teachers for their travel costs, but it does not pay teachers. Retreat Dana supports the center's mission to offer affordable retreats by helping Southern Dharma to keep its per diem well below what would be required to cover the center's operating costs, and to offer scholarships based on financial need.

Noble Silence

All Southern Dharma retreats incorporate periods of Noble Silence as a way to support going inward and cultivating the inner life. With few exceptions, talking and ordinary conversation are not permitted during periods of Noble Silence, when essential communication takes place via notes posted on the center's Message Board. However, even the most silent retreats typically include a daily talk and instructions given by the teacher. Most retreats also include discussion or question/answer periods, as well as opportunities for individual interviews or small-group meetings with the teacher.

Accommodations

All retreatants stay at the center either in the Lodge or tenting on the grounds or in a tenting cabin. The Lodge houses 14 people in double and triple rooms on the second floor, and 11 people in a third-floor dormitory. The three triple rooms in the Lodge each have one bunk bed and one twin bed. All other rooms have twin beds. The center does not take reservations for particular rooms or types of rooms in the Lodge, but does make every effort to accommodate special needs and requests made at the time of registration. Rooms are assigned first on the basis of gender, medical needs, and physical/mobility constraints. Snoring habits, date of registration, and personal preferences are secondary considerations. Outdoor accommodations include four tent platforms and two, one-person cabins near a small creek that runs below the meadow across from the Meditation Hall. The cabins have no plumbing, electricity, or heat, but both the cabins and tenting platforms are close to the outdoor shower and bathroom. A tent platform or cabin must be requested at the time of registration, but specific tent platforms or cabins are not assigned. Instead, tenters and cabin dwellers choose from unoccupied sites upon arrival at the center. The center does not reserve an indoor space for those who request a tent site when they register.

Meals

Southern Dharma serves three meals daily, which are vegan with egg and dairy options available as sides. Lunch is the main meal of the day. Healthful snacks, coffee, and tea are always available. SDRC cannot generally accommodate special dietary requests, but does encourage retreatants to make the center aware of food allergies or special needs at the time of registration and to provide for themselves—for example, by bringing their own gluten-free bread. Very limited refrigerator space may be available for those who inform the center in advance of a need to bring personal items requiring refrigeration.

Partial Attendance

Planning to arrive late for a retreat or leave before the final day requires approval of the teacher(s). Retreatants requesting partial attendance must still pay the full per-diem for the entire retreat.

Waiting Lists

SDRC maintains a waiting list for all full retreats. People are placed on the waiting list in the order in which requests to be on the list are received. When the center receives a cancellation for a full retreat, those on the waiting list are contacted in numerical order. To be placed on the waiting list for a retreat, you must sign up for the waiting list by completing the wait list form that comes up when you press the “Retreat Wait List” button on the Table of Retreats page or the Retreat Description page.

Arrival and Departure Times

All teacher-led retreats begin with an SDRC orientation at 6:15 pm on the first day of the retreat, followed by supper. Retreats end with lunch (around noon) on the final day. You may arrive any time between 2:00 and 6:00 pm on the first day, but we strongly encourage arrival before dark as this makes driving the gravel portions of West Road safer and easier.

Travel By Car

Located about a one-hour drive northwest of Asheville, NC, Southern Dharma is easily accessible by car. We strongly encourage retreatants to use the detailed driving directions available on this site rather than those found on mapquest, google, or other sites as these often send people via back roads and out-of-the-way routes that take longer and cause people to get lost. Click here for detailed driving directions.

Travel By Air

Southern Dharma is about 1.5 hours by car from the Asheville airport. The center can provide or arrange transportation to and from the Asheville airport upon request. The fee is $30 each way if the center provides transportation, and slightly more if the center arranges a limousine pick-up for a group of four or more retreatants.

What to Bring

Within a few days of receiving a retreat registration, SDRC emails a confirmation letter containing details of what you need to bring with you. Unless you are flying, we ask that you bring your own linens. You will need indoor shoes or slippers to wear in the Lodge. Socks, slippers, or bare feet are acceptable in the Meditation Hall, which has a wooden floor that can be slippery. Zafus, Zabutons, a few meditation benches, chairs, and "sticky" yoga mats are provided in the Meditation Hall, but you are also welcome to bring your own. Loose-fitting clothing works best for meditation and yoga. Bring work clothes and shoes for working meditation, as well as outdoor gear for inclement weather. The center's Behavior Code for Retreatants requires modesty in dress, which means not wearing clothing or sleepwear that others might find revealing or distracting. Some teachers do not permit shorts or sleeveless tops in the Meditation Hall.

What Not to Bring

Southern Dharma prohibits the use of hair dryers, incense, candles, alcohol, and all recreational drugs. Out of respect for those with sensitivities, please leave your perfume and scented toiletries at home. Do not plan on using electric or electronic devices that draw significant power. Cell phones do not work at the center. Internet access is not available to retreatants.

Smoking Policy

Smoking is not permitted on the center's premises.

Behavior Code

Southern Dharma's General Policy includes a Code of Behavior for Retreatants based on the Buddhist precepts. A copy of this code is given to all retreatants at sign-in. The code serves as a guideline for helping to keep Southern Dharma retreats safe for everyone, and supports maintenance of an atmosphere conducive to the inner search. It calls retreatants to refrain from unnecessary communication; false speech; harming life or property; taking that which is not freely given; inappropriate personal relations; use of alcohol, drugs, or other intoxicants; and wearing distracting or immodest clothing.
Click here to download a complete copy of the code (.PDF)

Work Weekends

Twice a year, in early spring and late fall, Southern Dharma offers a 2-night, Work Weekend Retreat. The center does not charge a per diem to attend these retreats, which offer the opportunity to be of service by helping with various projects such as painting, cleaning, and general maintenance of buildings and grounds. Work Weekend Retreats are conducted in Noble Silence with morning and evening sitting meditation periods, morning and afternoon working meditation periods, and an evening talk or discussion time led by staff. Even though no fee is charged, anyone wanting to attend must register in advance by submitting the standard Retreat Registration Form.

Private Retreats

Private individual or group retreats can sometimes be arranged during the off-season (January to early March) when teacher-led retreats are not being offered. The usual per-diem applies. Daily meals may be prepared and served for private group retreats, but those doing a private individual retreat are expected either to bring their own food, or to prepare their own meals from food made available to them by the center. To inquire about the possibility of doing an individual or group retreat, call or email the center.