2025 Events
Class Winter 2025: “That which is already awake is the path: Awakening to the joy and unconditional love within”
Online Zoom class through the Deep Spring Center
January 21 – May 20, 2025 : every other Tuesday
6:45-9:00 pm EST
Guided by Barbara Brodsky, Aaron and John Orr
The class will be a mixture of meditation instruction and practice, Dharma talks and exploring together. For experienced students with a background in Insight Meditation or similarly related meditation practice.
More Info & Registration*: https://deepspring.org/calendar/winter-2025-class-that-which/2025-01-21/
* Registration deadline is Sunday, January 19, 2025
The Social Sangha – Black Mountain, NC
Monthly event offered by John Orr at The Lodge
Mondays Jan 27, Feb 24, March 24, April 28, June 23, July 28, Aug 25, 2025
6:30-8:00 pm EST
Meditation followed by Dharma talk and discussion. No registration is necessary. All are welcome!
Event info: https://thesocialsangha.com/dharma-john-orr
Location: The Lodge (formerly the Quietude Center)
1130 Montreat Rd, Black Mountain, NC 28711
Karma and Liberation
A day-long, in-person program offered by John Orr in TN
Saturday, January 25 : 10:00 am – 4:00 pm (with meal break)
An understanding of karma is central to our Dharma practice and liberation from suffering. Some of what we say and do creates wholesome karma, and other actions, unwholesome karma. The important point is that karma isn’t punishment, but an opportunity to learn. Through awareness of karma, we grow in our wisdom, reverence for life and ability to forgive.
Our day together will include dharma discussion, meditation and chanting.
No pre-registration necessary, but please arrive before the program begins at 10:00 AM. There is no fee for attendance. Dana (generous giving) is encouraged to the teacher and the center. All levels of experience are welcome.
Information: www.dharma4et.org
Questions? Contact mail@dharma4et.org
Location: Appalachian Dharma & Meditation Center
108 W 10th Ave (lower level), Johnson City, TN 37604
Healing and the Ever-Healed Workshop
A Week-long Online Healing Workshop, through Deep Spring Center
Saturday February 8 – Thursday February 13, 2025
With Barbara Brodsky, Aaron, The Mother, Colette Simon, Tavis Taylor and John Orr and likely Yeshua, Love, Father John and other channeled spirit entities.
This is a wonderful workshop where many people have found significant healing in various aspects of their lives. Check it out!
The core program will run from 10am – 6:30pm Eastern Time. On most days there will be optional additional meditation time with John Orr, including instruction, talks, guided meditations and chanting.
Registration and Information: https://deepspring.org/calendar/healing-and-the-ever-healed-workshop-2025/
Registration deadline: Thursday, February 6, 2025
Discover the Divine Abodes: Loving Kindness, Compassion, Joy and Equanimity
Day-long workshop, in-person with John Orr, in Knoxville
Sunday, March 2, 2025, 9:00 am – 4:00 pm
Location: Meaningful Life Center Knoxville, TN
Explore the Brahma Viharas (Divine Abodes) during this day-long workshop using mindfulness practice, guided heart-centered meditations, and chanting from various spiritual traditions. We will make contact with our powerful loving heart, nurture its healing energy, and manifest it in the many contexts of our daily lives which can help us live with more ease.
Registration is required. Space is limited. Offered at no cost. Donations for the teacher and center appreciated.
Registration & Information: https://meaningfullifecenter.org/divine-abodes-john-orr/
The Beach Retreat – Emerald Isle, NC
A week-long retreat, in person on the beach in North Carolina
Saturday, April 12 – Saturday, April 19, 2025
Led by John Orr, Barbara Brodsky and Aaron. For information regarding the teachers please go to: https://deepspring.org/meet-us/teachers/
A lovely week of Dharma and meditation in a large house over-looking the Atlantic Ocean. For experienced practitioners who have a foundation in Vipassana and some experience with Pure Awareness meditation. The retreat is led by John Orr, Barbara Brodsky and Aaron. Barbara and Aaron will most likely be joining us online. After more than 20 years of holding the beach retreat, this may be our last one.
For Information & Registration, please contact Celeste Zygmont at celestezygmont2@yahoo.com.
* Please register as soon as possible as spaces are limited.
Meditation Courses
Offered online through the
Program on Integrative Medicine, UNC Chapel Hill
Four Foundations of Mindfulness
Thursdays, May 1 – May 22, 6:00pm – 8:00 pm EST
Four Qualities of the Heart: Kindness, Compassion, Joy and Equanimity
Thursdays, July 10 – July 31, 6:00pm – 8:00 pm EST
Registration & Information: More information about the content of these courses and how to register will be forthcoming in future newsletters as information is placed on the Program on Integrative medicine website. It will be listed under mindfulness classes.
https://www.med.unc.edu/phyrehab/pim/mindfulness-program/mindfulness-course-schedule-2/
Mark Your Calendars – Upcoming Fall 2025
Vipassana Retreat
A week-long silent meditation retreat, in-person in Michigan
Friday, September 12 – Thursday, September 18, 2025
Location: Maryville Retreat Center, Holly, MI
Led by John Orr, Barbara Brodsky and Aaron.
This silent retreat will be a mix of vipassana and pure awareness practices, and meditations that support the open heart. There will be sitting and walking meditation, chanting together, instruction for all levels of experience, and daily dharma talks. Weather permitting, some meditation and instruction will be held on the lake shore. All levels of experience are welcome.
Information & Registration will be forthcoming.
Thai Forest Lineage Retreat
A 5 day Vipassana retreat, in-person in Hot Springs, NC
Thursday, November 6 – Monday, November 10, 2025
Location: Southern Dharma Retreat Center, Hot Springs, NC
Led by John Orr, a former Theravada Monk who lived and learned with Ajahn Chah in the 1970s, in his monastery in the Northeast of Thailand.
There have been many Eastern teachers responsible for helping to bring the Dharma to the West. One of those is the Thai Buddhist master, Ajahn Chah. Ajahn Chah practiced and taught in the Thai forest tradition, and his teaching is known for its simplicity, clarity and directness, which encourages us to look at our minds and see what it is that is causing suffering. During this retreat we will contemplate some of his most significant teachings, emphasizing skillful living and the cultivation of tranquility and insight. All are welcome to attend!
Information & Registration will be forthcoming. Registration opens May 1st.