Schedule: Friday night 7:00 to 8:30 pm,
Saturday 9:00 am to 5:00 pm,
Sunday 9:00 am to 12:00 pm.
About this Zen Retreat - We seem to live in a moment of perpetual discord and disagreement. Loud voices and strong opinions vie for our attention and tell us what to believe. What makes things this way? Why are we so rife with division? Together, we’ll explore the ways in which duality creates division in our minds, relationships, and worldviews. Through zazen, dharma study, and relational practice, we will experience the illusion of separation and revisit our underlying connectedness. We’ll explore how to navigate opposing views, meeting tension as a nourishing teacher.
Nate Smalley
About the teacher - Nathan Smalley has been practicing Zen for over twelve years. He has served in various leadership capacities at Appamada, a contemporary Zen center in Austin, Texas. He brings curiosity and care to those who seek release from suffering. Professionally, Nathan is an educator, scholar, and consultant with deep experience serving students in low-income communities. His present work explores intersections of spirituality, philosophy, and education. He is currently preparing his first book, Teaching in Flux: Mindfulness and Conditionality in Pedagogical Practice, for publication. He holds a PhD in Education from Texas State University. Nate lives with his wife and son in Austin, Texas.