After he woke up, the Buddha spent 45 years in the world teaching others how to also wake up. And that's what the body of teachings that come down to us offer: the path to awakening.

Buddha didn't teach about existence or non-existence, or about the origins of life or of the universe. He taught us how to extinguish suffering. And at the heart of this teaching is an intense focus on our actions. One teaching that is most familiar as "The Five Remembrances" states, "I am the owner of my actions....Whatever actions I do, good or bad, of these I shall become heir." The path of awakening - the Fourth Noble Truths, the Noble Eightfold Path - encourages us to scrutinize our actions ("karma" is a Sanskrit word [the Pali is kamma] that simply means "action") in increasingly fine and subtle detail.

This one-day retreat will address the importance of keeping our practice and our lives focused in this manner, and will give guidance and tools to help in our meditation and everyday life.

Retreat Fee For those who have previously paid $10 for in person attendance, your fee is refundable. For Zoom attendees there is no cost.

Gareth Young is a meditation teacher, a businessman, and co-founder of Red Clay Sangha. He has maintained a committed meditation practice for over 20 years in the Zen and Vipassana traditions, and integrates over 10 years of interfaith engagement as well as teachings from Tibetan and Lotus Sutra traditions into his practice and life.

Gareth received full teaching authorization in the Thai Forest lineage of Ajahn Chah, Jack Kornfield and Lisa Ernst and is a firm advocate of the principles and practices of One Dharma. He lives in the Atlanta area with his wife and their dogs, chickens and bees. He has two adult children.

What to expect This will be a full day of sitting and walking meditation practice, with a dharma talk on the theme of "Focusing Our Practice on Our Actions," and a Q&A period. All are welcome, no previous experience with meditation required.

Doors will open by 8:45; please plan to arrive by 9:00. The retreat will begin promptly with a brief orientation and introductory talk.

What to bring? Wear comfortable clothing. We have plenty of floor cushions and chairs. And please look at your environment ahead of time so you can identify your walking and sitting spaces and remove distractions before Saturday.

Zoom Information: The Zoom link and other retreat details will be provided separately to registrants.

Lunch A healthy vegetarian lunch will be provided.

Questions or More Information? please contact Gareth Young.