A Day of Practice with Lama Rod: 

Awakening Wellness through the Sacred Erotic

Sunday, September 8th, 2024 from 9:00am - 4:00pm ET

Location: Atlanta, GA 
presented in collaboration with the 2024 Sex Down South Conference

“The erotic is a measure between the beginnings of our sense of self and the chaos of our strongest feelings.” ~ Audre Lorde

The practice of queer divinity is about remembering ourselves, including our bodies, our sexuality, our gender identification, our history, traumas, lovers, and all the ways we use our bodies to engage in pleasure. The practice of intimacy is the practice of allowing our compassion to embrace our fear so that we may actually begin experiencing true closeness with ourselves and others. 

Many of us have deeply internalized shame of our sexual selves, which are so profoundly connected to the physical body. What we discover is a poignant fear of our own bodies as vessels of our sexual expression. Our deep embodied shame around sex and sexuality coupled with traumas around sexual violence makes our relationship to sex complicated and when we attempt to align our spiritual aspirations with our sexual realities, it seems impossible. 

How do we interrogate this shame through practices of mindfulness, lovingkindness, and self-compassion? Without the energy of compassion in all of our relationships and interactions, we run the risk of potentially transmitting various kinds of violence.

Can we practice wisdom and make intelligent choices to enjoy our bodies and the bodies of others in ways that do not reproduce psychic harm? Tantra is a system of profound practices engaging us directly with the phenomenal world and its very essence of liberation. Tantric practices are necessary to support us as we move through this challenging period.

Join Lama Rod for this one-day retreat where we will:

• Understand the sacredness of sex and body grounded in compassion, self-care, and radical presence
• Engage radical Black feminist thought and queer theory 
• Explore simple movement, meditation, contemplation, small group interaction, and journaling
• Move through contemporary tantric teachings that incorporate not just profound and accessible practices, but also links these practices with current justice movements
• Ground in earth-based practices, dialogue, discussions, and laughter while being inspired by teachings from Love and Rage and The New Saints

 Come experience this open, frank, and hopefully shame-free exploration of the sexual divine.

Following the retreat, all participants will also receive a segment of the day’s teachings in written and audio format to support you in deepening your practice.

This retreat is open to both beginners and those who are already familiar with meditation and Lama Rod's work.

FAQs

Where exactly is the retreat?

This Atlanta retreat is part of the 2024 Sex Down South Conference, which takes place at the Hilton Atlanta Downtown (use discount code LAMAROD for $75 off the Enthusiast ticket).

Registration for this Day of Practice is separate from conference participation and can be completed using the links above or below. A confirmation email will be sent following registration which will also provide details about accessibility, parking, lunch, and our COVID care policies.

What if I cannot attend the whole retreat?

You are encouraged to join us for the entire retreat. If you need to arrive late or depart early, we ask that you plan to do so during the lunch break (between 12:00-1:00pm).

Is there a refund policy? 

Refunds are available prior to September 1st, 2024 minus a $50 admin fee. After this date, we are not able to issue refunds.

Is there financial assistance available?

Through the support of those who register at the Pay it Forward registration option, we have a limited amount of scholarships available. Email [email protected] if you are in need of financial assistance. If you are able to contribute to our ability to offer scholarships, your generosity by choosing the "pay it forward" registration option supports our ability to offer more financial support. 

What does the registration fee support?

Registration fees support Lama Rod and his team for the extensive labor, seen and unseen, and spiritual devotion that allows his work to remain accessible and sustainable. These resources help cover ongoing operational costs, such as the online platforms and services that are used to offer digital programs, team compensation, and the legal and accounting requirements of the United States, as well as physical spaces, materials, and nourishment for events when applicable.

As Lama Rod writes in The New Saints, he seeks to make the tradition of the Buddha relevant to our experiences in the present moment. This means inviting offerings and exchanges that honor the material needs of his energetic presence and livelihood — not in a conditional nor transactional way, but reflecting a tradition of reciprocity and universal balance similar to how you might leave food upon an altar for an ancestor. Giving and receiving are practices that embody the ethic of care that grounds Lama Rod’s work.

Therefore, your registration fees are one of the ways that Lama Rod is sustained so that he can continue his free and by-donation offerings such as Free Radicals, Medicine Buddha, and partnerships with organizations and schools to support their efforts. These offerings reflect our team’s commitment that no one be excluded from the teachings based upon their financial means. Those who register at the Pay-It-Forward price further increase accessibility by making financial assistance possible for those who need scholarships. Barter offerings and work exchanges are also welcome in some instances. Lama Rod believes that we can be well resourced while practicing an anti-capitalist ethic and is deeply grateful to be in a reciprocal relationship with you.

Will retreat recordings be available?

Following the retreat, all participants will also receive a segment of the day’s teachings in written and audio format to support you in deepening your practice. These materials will be shared by email and via the course platform within one month of the retreat date and will be available indefinitely.

Other Questions?

For any other questions about this offering, please contact [email protected].