Jhanas, Metta, and Emptiness

This ten-day retreat is centered on the cultivation of the Jhanas—deep states of concentration—within a steady sitting practice, with the aim of supporting insight practice as taught by Leigh Brasington and his teacher, the Venerable Ayya Khema. The retreat will explore key insight themes including the Four Noble Truths, impermanence, dependent origination, and emptiness. Each day will also include guided metta practice. Participation is appropriate only for experienced meditators who maintain a regular sitting practice and have already completed at least two previous seven-day silent meditation retreats.

In 2026, Covid-19 testing will not be required or provided. Even so, participants are asked to act mindfully in the days before arrival in consideration of staff, teachers, and fellow retreatants. Masks are optional and encouraged, especially for anyone feeling unwell. Limiting higher-risk situations and wearing masks whenever possible can help reduce the spread of viruses on site. Anyone with symptoms of a communicable illness is strongly encouraged to remain at home.

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

All registrations are subject to the new 2026 cancellation policy, and every retreatant must review and agree to it during registration.

For 2026 retreats, pricing is based on lodging. Please select the option that best reflects your ability to give at this time. Any amount paid above the Base rate is a tax-deductible contribution to Southern Dharma Retreat Center, and your confirmation email serves as your receipt for tax purposes. We are deeply grateful for your support.

Please note that registration fees do not include dana for the teacher(s). In the Buddhist tradition, teachings are offered freely and teachers are not paid for their offerings; instead, they rely on dana from students. Your generosity helps sustain a community of practitioners devoted to the Dharma.

Housing and all meals are included in the program fee. Five housing options are currently available:

• 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: Southern Dharma is no longer able to offer Heated Kutis. All Kutis are unheated and have no electricity.

Need-based scholarship awards are available at 25% or 50% off for lodge-based room assignments. Choosing a scholarship option means you are likely to be placed in shared housing.

Please use the appropriate fields to indicate any additional housing needs, such as a preference to be housed with others of the same gender, snoring, CPAP use, or a need for single housing if you registered through a scholarship pathway and would otherwise be placed in the lodge.

Southern Dharma also offers additional financial aid for BIPOC and Young Adults, as well as for those with more significant financial need. If you require support beyond the 25% or 50% scholarship options, please email to inquire further.

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