Coming Close to Life: Resting the Heart in Natural Awareness

“Grant me the ability to be alone… Among the trees and grasses… And there may I be alone, To talk with the one that I belong to.”
– Rabbi Nachman of Breslov

Human life is inherently vulnerable, and the present moment asks much of us. We are increasingly aware of the impact our species has on the natural world and on one another, and this retreat creates space to meet that reality with honesty, care, and attention.

Inspired by Bayo Akomolafe’s reminder that “the times are urgent, let us slow down,” this gathering invites participants to pause, listen, and soften into a deeper inquiry. Rather than treating this period of upheaval only as something to resist, we are encouraged to approach it as a call to see differently, to listen for the heart’s deepest longing, and to reflect on the shared meaning of human life.

With an emphasis on ease, non-striving, and spaciousness, the retreat offers practices that support recognition of the heart-mind’s natural capacity for wakefulness. To be awake to life is to come closer to all of it — the welcome and the unwelcome alike. The way we meet experience shapes not only how life is felt, but how we respond to it.

Most of the retreat will be held in silence, while also making room for the nourishing presence of community through group inquiry and shared witnessing. The wider natural world will also be intentionally included as a vital companion in practice, honoring our belonging within a much larger web of life.

For 2026, no Covid-19 testing will be required or administered. Participants are asked to bring mindfulness to their activities in the days before arrival out of care for staff, teachers, and fellow participants. Masks are optional and encouraged, especially if feeling unwell. Avoiding higher-risk situations and using masks whenever possible can help reduce the chance of spreading viruses on site. Anyone experiencing symptoms of a communicable illness is strongly encouraged to stay home.

First-time retreatants at Southern Dharma must arrive by 5:00pm ET on the first day of retreat, with check-in beginning at 3:00pm. Returning participants may check in between 3:00pm and 6:00pm. Departure will be by 2:00pm on the final day, and participants should be sure they can attend the full program before registering.

All registrations are subject to the new 2026 cancellation policy, which must be reviewed and accepted at the time of registration.

For 2026 retreats, pricing is based on lodging. Participants are invited to choose the rate that best reflects their ability to give at this time. Any amount paid above the Base rate is a tax-deductible contribution to Southern Dharma Retreat Center, and the confirmation email serves as the tax receipt.

Housing and all meals are included in the program fee. Available lodging options include:

• Bed in Lodge, shared double room (2nd floor)
• Bed in Lodge, dorm with privacy partitions (3rd floor)
• Unheated kuti (single cabin)
• Canvas Tent (furnished, single)
• Basic Tent Platform (camping with your own gear)

Please note: Heated kutis are no longer available. All kutis are unheated and have no electricity.

Need-based scholarship awards are available at 25% or 50% off for lodge-based room assignments, and choosing a scholarship option makes shared housing more likely. Participants should use the appropriate fields to indicate any additional housing needs, including preferences for same-gender housing, snoring, CPAP use, or a need for single housing if registering through a scholarship pathway and otherwise placed in the lodge.

Additional financial aid is available for BIPOC and Young Adults, as well as for those with more significant financial need. Participants needing support beyond the 25% or 50% scholarship are invited to inquire directly.

Those who have previously used Hemera Foundation Fellowships are welcome to apply any of the in-house scholarship options.

Registration fees do not include dana for the teacher(s). In the Buddhist tradition, teachings are offered freely, and teachers are supported through dana contributions from students. Your generosity helps sustain a community committed to the Dharma.