Heartwood Refuge & Academy - Hendersonville, North Carolina

Rachelle B.

Just completed a 7-day Vipassana retreat at Heartwood Refuge. Excellent experience all around. The facility is the perfect setting for retreats. There is plenty of space to not feel like you're right on top of each other, which is important when in silence.

The food was absolutely amazing! They should make a cookbook! It's all vegetarian (mostly vegan) and there's plenty to go around.

I can't say enough about the wondeful people who run the facility. Amy, the director, makes you feel at home immediately. The services they provide for the community are amazing. I am blessed to live in the area to be able to continue to benefit from their services.

For anyone planning a retreat, I highly recommend Heartwood Refuge Retreat Center.

Mary A.

Heartwood was so gracious to host my Christian Baptist congregation for our church's daylong retreat in September. The accommodations for the 30 of us, plus some children, were exactly suitable for a group our size and with our interests. We enjoyed being able to help Heartwood live more fully into its mission and vision, even as we did the same as a congregation in such a serene setting.

Marika

Heartwood Refuge extends a warm, welcoming invitation towards calm reprieve & contemplation within community. I attended a self-retreat where covid protocols were diligent yet ample support for practice, food, and amenities were available. It is a true dharma gem in the South.

Cheri D.

I just completed a retreat at Heartwood and I honestly can't have imagined a better experience. It is such a warm and welcoming place, those working there were friendly and informative, it’s the kind of place where you feel immediately at home. The rooms were simple, clean and charming, food surprisingly delicious, grounds serene. Those in the retreat group ranged from first time retreat-ers (like me!) to very seasoned and no one felt out of place. The retreat I went to was led by Bhante Suddhaso and it was truly transformative. I will absolutely be back again and would highly recommend

Maggie M.

I love so much about Heartwood—the instant calm the environment extends, the welcoming people, the adorable & clean retreat accommodations, the yummy retreat food (mmmmm fooooood), the bold & warm-hearted Sunday talks, the dedication to social justice, their love of animals... I could go on. Thank you for being you, Heartwood. And for empowering the community to find their unique contribution to a better world by opening our hearts & minds.

elizabeth G.

The Heartwood Refuge Retreat center is a pretty and quiet place in a beautiful setting to meditate, relax, and regroup. The bedrooms are clean and the single rooms are spacious. The main building, the "mother house," s being restored and renovated to its original beauty -- originally built in 1904 and ran as an inn. The first floor has beautiful hardwood floors and many interesting nooks and crannies to investigate -- a library stocked with hundreds of books to read through, a study, a cozy lobby area with a fireplace and numerous comfy sofas, a beautiful dining room and well-equipped kitchen. The food is good, mostly vegan with the occasional well-label dairy option.

There is a lake a block away that one can explore during breaks and walking meditations. The all-volunteer staff is friendly and helpful. There are multiple meditation rooms, some larger than others, all welcoming. Venerables Pannavati and Pannadipa and their mostly volunteer staff have created a warm, welcoming community for retreatants and visitors.

They are still restoring the surrounding buildings so there are sometimes construction sounds and there is a little water damage to old buildings, but they are working to remedy it. I live in Atlanta and am happy to have found a Buddhist retreat center a 3 hour and 15 minute drive away. I want to spread the word about them and encourage interested parties to check it out and support it too so it lasts and lasts. It brings a good energy and a warm and friendly vibe to our region.

David S.

So fortunate to have been able to attend a retreat at Heartwood. The love and care from staff and resident monastics goes deep. A great environment to practice. I will go back. Do yourself a kind and loving favor and go on a retreat here. 🙂

k G.

Just spent a fabulous weekend at a retreat at Heartwood Refuge. The schedule was well-planned and executed, the staff warm and welcoming, and the lodging, grounds and vibe just beautiful. Will return soon; highly recommended.