The Intuitive Heart: A Meditation Retreat for Experienced Meditators

Spiritual practice offers a profound way of understanding ourselves and the world around us. It supports us in making wise choices about our relationships, our work, the teachers and teachings we follow, and how we meet both life and death with greater grace. This retreat is an invitation to connect more deeply with intuitive wisdom — the quiet inner guidance that lives beneath the noise of everyday life. By drawing close to what Thai Forest teacher Achaan Chah called “the one who knows,” participants can discover greater clarity, peace, and lightness of being, while also learning to meet life’s challenges with courage, compassion, and kindness.

A central part of the program will be alternating periods of sitting and walking meditation in Noble Silence. The retreat will also include dharma talks, opportunities for discussion, guided meditation, and interactive exercises designed to deepen our appreciation of the natural human capacity to celebrate what the Buddha described as “the sweet joy of the way.”

Please note: This retreat is intended for experienced meditators with at least five years of practice and a minimum of three previous residential retreats. If you are unsure whether this program is the right fit for you, please contact David Chernikoff to discuss your situation.

In 2026, Covid-19 testing will not be required or administered. However, participants are asked to practice mindfulness in the days leading up to the retreat in consideration of staff, teachers, and fellow participants. Masks will be optional and encouraged, especially if you are feeling unwell. Avoiding higher-risk situations and using masks whenever possible can help reduce the spread of viruses on site. Anyone experiencing symptoms of a communicable illness is strongly encouraged to stay home.

Arrival and departure: 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 yogis may check in between 3:00 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 every retreatant must review and accept during registration.

For 2026, 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.

Housing and all meals are included in the program fee. Five housing options are 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% discounts for lodge-based room assignments. Choosing a scholarship option gives you a high likelihood of being placed in shared housing.

Please use the appropriate fields to share any additional housing needs, including whether you prefer to be housed with others of the same gender, whether you snore, use a CPAP machine, or need 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 participants and Young Adults, as well as those with more significant financial need. If you require aid beyond the 25% or 50% scholarship, please email for support.

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

Note: 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. They depend on dana contributions from students, and your generosity helps sustain a community devoted to the Dharma.