1661 W Rd, Hot Springs, NC 28743, USA
June 26 - 30, 2024
About this Retreat
Ronya Banks (she/her) is the founding teacher of the Asheville Insight Meditation center in Asheville, NC, in the USA. In addition to having lived as a Theravada Buddhist nun, Ronya’s teaching is informed by over 35 years of intensive Vipassana meditation practice, studying with more than 30 different Buddhist teachers, spending more than one year cumulatively on numerous silent meditation retreats, and her participation in the Spirit Rock Community Dharma Leader training program.
Ronya Banks has been teaching for over a decade. She leads residential meditation retreats and has worked in person and online with people from all over the world. She is also passionate about working with people in addiction recovery. She has supplemented her passion for Buddhism with over 25 years of business management and entrepreneurial experience. Her teaching style is characterized by her love for the traditional Buddhist teachings, as well as her authentic, down-to-earth personality.
Born originally in Kuwait and of Palestinian descent, Ronya values diversity, inclusiveness, and respect for all human beings.
Details of this retreat
As we get reports of parts of the human race engaging in painful acts against themselves and one another as the pace of our daily lives continues to speed up, many of us are left with an increasing sense of insecurity and doubt. This is the perfect time to turn towards our spiritual lives for stability and support.
So, how can we get the most out of our spiritual practice when the world appears to be falling apart? By digging deeper into our meditation practice.
During this retreat, we will engage in ancient Buddhist Vipassana (Insight) meditation practices that have brought profound “inner peace” to multitudes of people. Together, we will explore Buddhist teachings on deep practice and the types of Inquiry that support greater depth and wisdom even during times of conflict and chaos.
The schedule for this silent retreat will include formal sitting meditation, walking meditation, daily Dharma talks, specific instructions, guided mindful movement, teacher interviews, and chanting. The program will be most appropriate for those who have previously attended a silent meditation retreat, as well as experienced daily meditation practitioners. If you're wondering if this will be a good fit for you, reach out to Ronya Banks directly to discuss your situation.
We no longer require COVID-19 vaccinations to attend our programs, but do still require testing. We require all registered participants to present negative results from a Covid test performed in the 3 days prior to the start of your retreat AND that you consent to being tested upon your arrival at Southern Dharma. Any rapid antigen test is acceptable for testing, including over-the-counter at-home tests.
Thank you for your understanding as we work to ensure the safety of our staff, teachers, retreatants, and larger community!
NEW IN 2024: First-time retreatants at Southern Dharma must arrive by 5pm ET on the first day of retreat. Check-in begins at 3pm. Returning yogis can check-in between 3 and 6pm.
Departures will take place by 2:00pm on the last day of retreat. Please make sure that you can attend the full program before registering.
All registrations are subject to our new 2024 cancellation policy. All retreatants must review and agree to this policy upon registration.
For our 2024 retreats, three fee tiers are offered. Please choose the option that best fits your ability to give in this time. Any amount paid above the Base rate is a tax deductible contribution to Southern Dharma Retreat Center. Your confirmation email is your receipt for tax purposes.
We are deeply grateful for your support.
Note that registration fees do not include dana for the teacher(s). In the Buddhist tradition the teachings are offered freely and teachers are not paid for their offerings. They rely on dana contributions from students. Similarly, Southern Dharma keeps registration fees low to ensure the Dharma is accessible to all. Fees cover only a fraction of Southern Dharma’s operating expenses. We appreciate your practice of generosity to continue the dissemination of the Dharma.
Housing and all meals are included in the program fee. We are currently offering six housing options:
Bed in Lodge, shared double room (2nd floor)
Bed in Lodge, dorm with privacy partitions (3rd floor)
Unheated kuti (single cabin, outdoor bathroom)
Heated kuti (single cabin, outdoor bathroom)
Canvas Tent (furnished, outdoor bathroom)
Basic Tent Platform (camping with your own gear)
Please use the appropriate field in the registration process to let us know your preferences in regards to housing, if any, and also specify if you insist on or prefer being housed with others of the same gender. All housing options are priced the same except for the Basic Tent Platform.
Southern Dharma is offers 50% scholarship awards for BIPOC and Young Adults, in addition to those with financial need. Indicate your interest in a Southern Dharma in-house scholarship during the registration process.
This program is also eligible for Hemera Contemplative Fellowships. Please note that you must apply for the Fellowship prior to registering for any program. Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis.