Returning to Love: An Insight Dialogue Retreat

Insight Dialogue invites a living encounter with the Dharma, bringing practice into the body and heart as intuitive wisdom. Through greater awareness of habitual tension and the discovery of fresh ways to release it, we learn to meet each unfolding moment with renewed presence. In this way, loving awareness becomes a steady source of resilience and belonging, helping us respond to life’s difficulties with clarity and discernment in both personal and social life.

Across the Buddha’s teachings, awareness, release, and spiritual friendship are repeatedly shown as essential supports for seeing clearly what may be difficult to recognize alone. The three foundations of Insight Dialogue practice—meditation, wisdom, and relationship—offer both a grounding and a path toward unbinding. As mindfulness begins to infuse the way we relate, we may come to appreciate the transformative value of both solitude and friendship.

This retreat weaves together periods of silence with guided Insight Dialogue meditation in dyads and small groups, dharma talks, mindful movement, and time in nature, all held within noble silence.

Prior meditation and retreat experience is suggested. If you are unsure whether this retreat is suitable for you, Phyllis will be glad to answer questions.

For 2026, Covid-19 testing will not be required or administered. Participants are asked to bring mindfulness to their activities in the days before arrival, in consideration of staff, teachers, and fellow participants. Masks will be optional and encouraged, especially if someone is feeling unwell. Avoiding higher-risk situations and using masks whenever possible will help reduce the chance of transmitting 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. Check-in begins at 3:00pm. Returning participants may check in between 3:00pm and 6:00pm.

Departure will be by 2:00pm on the final day. Please be sure you can attend the full program before registering.

All registrations are subject to the new 2026 cancellation policy, which all retreatants must review and accept 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. Your confirmation email serves as your tax receipt.

We are deeply grateful for your support.

Registration fees do not include dana for the teacher(s). In the Buddhist tradition, teachings are offered freely and teachers are not paid for them, relying instead 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 with no electricity.

Scholarship awards based on need are available at 25% or 50% discounts for lodge-based room assignments. Choosing a scholarship option makes it more likely that you will be placed in shared housing.

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

Additional financial aid is available for BIPOC and Young Adults, as well as for those with more serious financial need. Please email if you require financial aid beyond the 25% or 50% scholarship.

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