Atlanta Daylong Retreats with Lama Rod Owens

This daylong spiritual retreat series in Atlanta, Georgia brings Lama Rod Owens to The Anchor for monthly in-person gatherings of meditation, breathwork, and gentle movement. It is open to anyone who wants to practice in community and deepen a relationship with themselves, with the land, and with the people around them, especially in times that feel unsteady. Lama Rod's teachings draw on Buddhism, Tantric Buddhism, African spirituality, the Black Prophetic tradition, and Indigenous American traditions.

What to Expect

Each daylong retreat is built around collective practice guided by Lama Rod. The offerings include meditation, breathwork, gentle movement, visualizations, and group discussion, with a question-and-answer period and time for community connection. The practices aim to build capacity to meet chaotic and difficult conditions with groundedness, drawing on the inner knowing and spaciousness that are already present.

The series builds on itself. Each gathering carries forward the practices of healing, balance, and resiliency cultivated across the months, while the teachings shift to reflect the present moment and the time of year, in step with what practitioners need.

The December daylong runs from 9am to 4pm ET and follows this shape: collective practice, meditation, breathwork, gentle movement and visualization, group discussion and questions, and time to connect with others.

The special October gathering, The Gathering of Ancestors, was devoted to honoring and tending to the ancestors through discussion, ritual, and meditation, closing with an ancestral fire ceremony. Earlier gatherings in the series have included work with Tara, resiliency and grief practice, and a Fire Horse year retreat built around the Seven Homecomings practice.

About Lama Rod Owens

Lama Rod Owens is a Buddhist minister, author, activist, yoga instructor, and authorized lama in the Kagyu School of Tibetan Buddhism. He describes himself as a Black Buddhist Southern Queen. He holds a Master of Divinity degree in Buddhist Studies from Harvard Divinity School, with a focus on the intersection of social change, identity, and spiritual practice.

His teaching centers on freedom, self-expression, and radical self-care, and his stated mission is showing people how to heal and free themselves. He teaches how to transform challenging emotions such as grief and anger into liberation. Honoring his southern roots, he calls his healing approach "laying hands," guidance for making the day-to-day choices that free us from the traumas that bind us to self-sabotaging behaviors.

The Place

The retreats are held in person at The Anchor, 645 Grant Street Southeast, Atlanta, Georgia. After registration, participants receive a confirmation email with details about the day's schedule, accessibility, parking, and COVID care policies.

Before You Go

No prior experience or prerequisites are mentioned, and the practices are offered as guided group work. Registration is tiered: a standard level and a Pay It Forward level, which helps fund a limited amount of financial assistance for those who need it. Payment plans are available, and members of Lama Rod's Learning & Practice Community receive a discount on individual daylongs. Barter and work exchange are welcome in some instances.

Refunds are available when requested at least 7 days before an event, less a 20% administration fee. Within 7 days of a retreat, refunds cannot be issued.