Awakening the Feminine Buddha: From Tārā and Kwan Yin to Our Own Embodied Wisdom

Southern Dharma Retreat Center, Hot Springs, NC

October 13 – 18, 2026

Led by Lisa Ernst

In a time when the world feels increasingly fractured and unsettled, the qualities of the awakened feminine—wisdom, compassion, and fearless responsiveness—are urgently needed. This retreat invites us to turn toward the Feminine Buddha as a living presence within each of us, a source of renewal, clarity and resilience.

Drawing inspiration from Tārā, Kwan Yin and the wise women of the early Buddhist traditions, we’ll explore the embodied dimensions of awakening: receptive awareness, compassion that listens deeply, and the capacity to act with both kindness and strength. Together, we’ll cultivate practices to embody these qualities in our meditation, relationships, and everyday life.

Suitable for all levels of experience, we welcome all who identify as women, as well as non-binary folks who feel nourished in women’s spaces. More info and registration here.