Welcome to Dawn Retreat Center, a sanctuary to reconnect with that still, small voice within, and attune more deeply to the heartbeat of our Mother, the Earth. Dawn began with a powerful vision of First Light, that beckons us to become one within and with all Life. Today, Dawn is cultivating a community of individuals who share that same vision.
“Awaken to the mystery of being here and enter the quiet immensity of your own presence.” – John O’Donohue
As a center for stillness and peace, Dawn invites guests to quiet the external noise and distractions of the world, access their inner wisdom, and uncover that still, small voice within. Through silent retreats, classes, and events, our sanctuary offers guests an opportunity to observe the rhythm of nature, connect with the heart of the world, and foster a greater reverence for life. As stewards of the land, our mission is to provide these opportunities while honoring and respecting the land, giving back in equal measure, and ensuring each action is taken with the next seven generations in mind.
Each of our journeys is personal and unique, but we all share access to that still, small voice within.
Here, people of all faiths and backgrounds are invited to gather, grow, and be inspired by the world. Decisions are made with respect for the next 7 generations.
Everything in the universe both seen and unseen is connected and part of one entity.
Escape the static of the everyday world through meditation, silence, and exploration of the natural world. Our retreats can be experienced in groups or in solitude, ensuring all guests are given the opportunities they need to connect with their inner voice. Dawn offers a variety of ways to escape, including silent retreats, meditations, guided excursions, spiritual retreats, and much more. Let us help you create the ideal personal retreat for you.
At Dawn Retreat Center, we believe that stillness, peace, and awareness should be accessible to every guest. We offer a variety of opportunities for growth, whether you’re a seasoned spiritual guide or entirely new to the world of meditation and mindfulness. Dawn provides beginner, intermediate, and advanced classes, both as individual events and as part of greater spiritual wellness retreats.
Personal and spiritual growth require time, guidance, and education. That’s why Dawn invites world-class teachers, writers, spiritual guides, and contemplative practitioners from around the globe to host classes, connect with our community, and impart their wisdom to both our guests and our team.
Nurture your journey with timely wisdom, as well as news of our upcoming events. Check out our archived newsletters.
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Explore all the classes, retreats, and events on the horizon.
Imagine having several uninterrupted hours in a beautiful natural setting in which you feel safe, at peace, and finally able to hear your own inner voice. We all need to […]
Our final meditation for the year will be on November 12 which happens to be Diwali, the Festival of Lights. We will be celebrating this victory of light over darkness, […]
In many traditions around the world, this time of year is designated as an opportunity to pause and to honor our loved ones and ancestors who have gone before us. […]
Dawn began as a dream, the seed of which was planted nearly 40 years ago after our founder experienced the profound, lasting effects of spending five days in complete silence. As a counselor for more than 30 years, Nancy recognized the community’s growing need for a safe place, one free from everyday distractions — a sanctuary for stillness and peace. As this dream grew, Nancy sought to incorporate the natural beauty of the Carolinas into her vision, to offer not only refuge but to invite nature itself to be the gateway to inner wisdom. Our name honors the Dawn Redwood (Metasequoia Glyptostroboides), a so-called living fossil that was once thought extinct. In 1941, a single specimen was discovered in China — upon the very land where it once flourished. Now, 150 million years later, this magnificent tree is thriving once again, rising to offer beauty and hope. Today, we humbly seek to do the same.
Meet the people behind the classes, retreats, and events.
Rev. Nancy Neal | Founder & Executive Director
As an Ordained Interfaith Minister, Nancy has spent her life in pursuit of that still, small voice within. Trained initially as a nutritionist (RD), she served as a Peace Corps Volunteer, spending time in Africa, Sri Lanka, the Seychelles, Australia, New Zealand, and Asia, which instilled a respect for the indigenous ways of connecting both to the land and to Spirit. Meditation teacher, healer, spiritual guide, dream worker — Nancy hopes to be a bridge: a bridge between people and between faiths; a bridge between the seen and unseen; a bridge from fear to love; a bridge from loss to renewal; and a bridge from hopelessness to faith.
Board Member | Vice President
Board Member | Secretary
Board Member
Board Member
Entering a group meditation with Nancy and Ron, palpably held in Love, I relax, breathe more deeply, and connect with my inner guidance in a circle of other beautiful souls.
- Mili
I enjoyed, learned, shared and met wonderful others and felt incredibly uplifted and connected after each gathering.
- Sarah
I have had the pleasure of working with Nancy for spiritual guidance and I feel very blessed to have found such a sensitive, intuitive person in this area.
- Deby
Dawn Retreat Center was founded on the dream of supporting our community’s spiritual wellness, and our community continues to go above and beyond to support us in return. Your tax-deductible donations help ensure Dawn’s vision continues to live on for years to come, and we are truly touched by each and every act of support from the community.
– Support Dawn’s mission, growth, and community engagement
– Facilitate the growth of our retreats, classes, and events
– Fund our dedication to sustainable practices
– Enable the presence of world-class leaders and teachers at Dawn
– And so much more
We would love to hear from you. If you have a question, suggestion, or just want to know more about our organization, get in touch with our team.
Contact Us:
P.O. Box 4008
Greenville, SC 29608