THE PRACTICE OF CONSCIOUS COMPASSIONATE AWARENESS

THE PRACTICE OF CONSCIOUS COMPASSIONATE AWARENESS

True nature, our intrinsic goodness, is always here, always available, and is unchanged by anything that happens. However, direct experience of true nature is often obscured by the web of beliefs and opinions we hold about how life should be different from the way it is and about how we should be different from the way we are. The "structure" that works to keep true nature masked in this way we call "egocentric, karmic conditioning," and much about it is known. It operates in patterns and by tactics that can be easily recognized. With sincere practice we can examine every aspect of this structure and free ourselves from it—leaving us with the peace, ease, and expansiveness that is our true nature. We call this the Practice of Conscious Compassionate Awareness.

Join us in an exploration of this practice. The retreat will include workshop sessions, sitting and walking meditation, opportunities for individual guidance, group discussions and, as always, time to enjoy the serenity and beauty of Southern Dharma's mountain setting. Folks of all levels of meditation experience are welcome. Please note: A digital voice recorder with earphones is required for this retreat. The recorder will be essential to your personal practice during the retreat.

Dave McKay has trained monastically for the past sixteen years and currently serves as a senior monk at the Zen Monastery Peace Center in Murphys, CA. He is a full-time student and teacher of awareness practice. Dave facilitates workshops and retreats at the Monastery and around the country.

Chris Larson has been a lay practitioner with the Zen Monastery Peace Center in Murphys, CA since 1988 and has facilitated workshops and retreats for the past eleven years. He lives with his wife and daughter in Asheville, where he serves as guide for Mountain Zen Practice Center.

Both Chris and Dave have studied extensively with Cheri Huber and practice a unique style of Zen Buddhism that is easily accessible and readily applicable to daily life in western culture.