Sounds True is one of the larger online contemplative-learning platforms, founded in 1985 by Tami Simon as an audio publishing house focused on spiritual and personal-development teachers. Over four decades the company has grown into a major online platform hosting retreats, courses, and multi-week programs across contemplative traditions, depth psychology, somatics, and adjacent fields. The retreat and course catalogue is one of the broadest in the contemplative-online space. The online retreat program features senior teachers across traditions: Buddhist (Tara Brach, Jack Kornfield, Pema Chodron, Sharon Salzberg, Roshi Joan Halifax), contemplative Christian (Cynthia Bourgeault, James Finley, Richard Rohr), depth psychology (Robert Bly, James Hollis), somatics (Peter Levine), Indigenous wisdom traditions, and broader cross-tradition teachers (Adyashanti, Mirabai Starr). The platform is multi-tradition by design and tends to host retreats and multi-week programs rather than daily-app meditation content, distinguishing it from app-based services. Programming includes online silent retreats (typically two to seven days, observed at home with online teacher contact), multi-week structured courses (8 to 12 weeks of weekly video sessions with a specific teacher), and shorter masterclasses and workshops on specific topics. The platform also runs an annual Wisdom Summit and occasional in-person events at partner retreat centers in the US. For practitioners, Sounds True is most useful as an access point to specific teachers across traditions in extended-format programs that go beyond podcast or single-talk listening. The combination of senior cross-tradition faculty and the retreat-and-course format gives the platform a different shape than meditation apps or single-teacher platforms. Pricing is per-program rather than subscription-based, with individual retreats and courses ranging widely depending on length and faculty.
Online silent retreats run typically two to seven days with the standard adapted-for-home structure: noble silence during program hours at the participant's home setup, daily group video sessions, dharma talks, and small-group teacher contact. Multi-week courses meet weekly via live video for 60 to 90 minutes, with reading and practice assignments between sessions. Shorter masterclasses and workshops compress into a single day or weekend with multiple video sessions. The teaching style varies widely by faculty and tradition.
The platform is multi-tradition. Teachers come from Buddhist (multiple lineages), contemplative Christian, depth psychology, somatics, Indigenous wisdom, and cross-tradition traditions. The platform itself does not carry a single lineage; each retreat or course is anchored in the specific teacher's training. This multi-tradition shape is the platform's distinctive character.
Practitioners drawn to teachers across traditions (Buddhist, Christian contemplative, depth psychology, somatics) who want extended-format programs with named senior faculty.
Adults who can commit to 8-12 weeks of weekly video sessions with reading and practice between, going deeper than single-talk content.
People drawn to particular teachers (Pema Chodron, Tara Brach, Cynthia Bourgeault, Adyashanti) who want a structured online container with that teacher beyond podcast or book.
Register for a specific retreat or course through the platform's website. Receive program materials and video links in advance. For retreats, the program structures group video sessions and the participant manages their home practice container. For courses, weekly live sessions are scheduled with the teacher. Recordings of sessions are typically available for some period after the live event for participants who miss a session or want to revisit material.
The platform is online; there is no physical facility. Multi-day in-person events at partner retreat centers in the US occasionally happen; these use the host venue's facilities. Online programs use video-conferencing software the platform provides.
Pricing is per-program, ranging from approximately USD 100 for shorter courses or masterclasses to USD 1,500 for longer multi-week intensives or specialized programs. Some courses bundle as series at a reduced rate. The platform offers occasional discount promotions and early-bird pricing. Specific current pricing is on each program's registration page.
A four-decade contemplative publisher's online retreat program, multi-tradition by design.
No. The platform is multi-tradition by design. Buddhist teachers including Tara Brach, Jack Kornfield, Pema Chodron, and others are part of the faculty alongside contemplative Christian, depth-psychology, somatic, Indigenous, and cross-tradition teachers. Each retreat or course carries its own tradition framing.
Per-program. Pricing is paid per retreat, course, or workshop, ranging widely depending on length and faculty. The platform does not have an all-access subscription model. Some bundled course series offer reduced rates compared to individual courses.
Multi-day online silent retreats are observed at the participant's home with the standard noble-silence container during program hours. Daily video sessions, dharma talks, and small-group teacher contact structure the group elements. The retreat container is online; the silence is held in the participant's home practice.
Occasionally. The platform runs an annual Wisdom Summit and occasional in-person retreats and conferences at partner venues in the US. Most programming is online. Specific in-person dates and venues are listed on the platform's events calendar.
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