Living Dharma Program: Exploring & Integrating the Eightfold Path in Daily Life
Starts September 6th, 2025
What if your spiritual path wasn’t separate from the messiness of daily life—but woven into it, breath by breath?
The Living Dharma Program invites you to walk the path of the Buddha not as an idea, but as a lived presence—through joy, heartbreak, restlessness, and resilience.
Over eight months, you’ll find a steady rhythm of practice and community. You’ll engage core Buddhist teachings in a way that brings more life to your practice, and more practice to your life.
It’s not about getting it “right.” It’s about showing up with honesty and heart—again and again.
Not a retreat from life. A return to it.
Reflections from Past Participants
Why Living Dharma?
Because true practice doesn’t happen in isolation—it happens in the middle of our messy, beautiful lives.
It’s one thing to find clarity on retreat.
It’s another to stay present when the dishes pile up, the calendar fills, and life gets hard.
Living Dharma offers a rare invitation:
To stay close to your practice while staying close to your life.
To meet your everyday joys and struggles with wisdom and compassion.
To build spiritual steadiness—not as an escape, but as a way of engaging more fully with the world.
This is the Dharma lived, not just studied.
Rooted in community.
Held over time.
And oriented not just toward individual liberation, but the collective healing we so deeply need.
If you’re ready to integrate your practice in a way that feels real, relational, and sustaining—Living Dharma was created for you.
What You’ll Walk Away With
This isn’t just inspiration—it’s integration.
By the end of the eight-month journey, you’ll have:
- A consistent practice rhythm anchored in monthly teachings and community support
- Tools to stay grounded in mindfulness, even when life gets messy
- Confidence applying Buddhist teachings in your relationships, work, and daily challenges
- A felt sense of how life and practice nourish one another—not in theory, but in lived experience
- A deeper understanding of liberation as a shared path, not just a solo pursuit
- A spiritual community that walks with you, gently holding you accountable and reminding you that you’re not alone
This is real-life Dharma—steady, embodied, and alive in the moments that matter most.
Course Overview
29 hrs Online LIVE
4 Live Q & A's
8
Rooted in Real Life
Rather than stepping away, we stay close. This isn’t a monastic retreat—it’s a living journey woven into your schedule, your relationships, your emotions, and your everyday messes.
Collective Liberation
While your healing matters, we explore practice as a path toward collective liberation. How we show up ripples outward—into our communities, into the world.
Relational and Reflective
Through monthly sessions, peer sharing, and an optional community, we’ll co-create a space of honest reflection, mutual support, and shared growth.
Time to Integrate
We honor the pause. Between sessions, you’ll have space to reflect—through guided practices, journal prompts, and daily inquiries.
Course Syllabus
This program is an invitation to walk the path of Dharma in a way that’s alive, embodied, and woven into your everyday life. Over the course of eight months, we’ll explore the Buddha’s teachings not as distant ideals, but as tender companions—guiding us through joy, difficulty, and everything in between.
We begin by arriving fully—body, heart, and mind—and opening to the Eightfold Path as a living map for our journey. We explore sati (mindfulness) as both foundation and path, and begin with the first step: Wise View. This view invites us to see clearly, to meet life as it is, and to remember that freedom is possible.
What guides your choices? This month we explore the heart’s compass—how to align with wholesome intentions and live from the values that matter most.
Speech can heal or harm. We’ll bring mindfulness to the ways we communicate—with ourselves and others—and practice speaking from truth and care.
How do we live in alignment with our deepest values? This month invites us to walk our talk—to embody wisdom and compassion in the everyday.
Work is more than a paycheck. We explore how to relate to livelihood as a sacred expression of care—for ourselves, others, and the world.
How do we engage with life without burnout or striving? This session explores skillful effort—energy rooted in kindness, discipline, and balance.
Mindfulness brings us into direct contact with the moment. We’ll deepen our capacity to stay with life as it unfolds—curiously, kindly, cl
The path ripens in stillness. We explore the power of collectedness, tranquility, and deep presence as foundations for insight and liberation.
Dawn Mauricio (she/her)
Dawn Mauricio (she/her), a Filipina-Canadian, has been practicing and studying Insight Meditation since 2005. She has graduated from the first teacher development group of True North Insight, and Spirit Rock’s Mindfulness Yoga and Meditation Training, Dedicated Practitioners’ Program, and 4-year Retreat Teacher Training. She teaches with a playful, dynamic, and heartfelt approach People of Color and folks of all backgrounds. Dawn leads daylongs, retreats, multi-year programs, and workshops in Canada and the US for Spirit Rock, True North Insight, and Sacred Mountain Sangha. Dawn is a co-founder of the True North Insight BIPOC practice group, serves on the guiding teachers council of True North Insight, and the leadership council for Sacred Mountain Sangha. She is also the author of “Mindfulness Meditation for Beginners”. For more information, visit dawnmauricio.com.
Yong Oh
Yong is a Dharma Council teacher at the Durango Dharma Center and a core teacher for Sacred Mountain Sangha. He is also a visiting teacher for other community centers across North America. He teaches retreats at Spirit Rock Meditation Center, the Insight Meditation Society, Big Bear Retreat Center, and Vallecitos Mountain Retreat Center. He is a graduate of the 4-year Insight Meditation Society Retreat Teacher Training program, Spirit Rock Meditation Center’s 2-year Community Dharma Leaders program, the 2-year Nature Dharma Teacher Training and the Sacred Mountain Sangha 2-year Dharmapala training, taught by his primary teachers Kittisaro and Thanissara.
Yong is also a retired acupuncturist, deeply loves mountains and forests and bringing the practice of meditation into nature. Nature and Dharma are at the heart of his path. He also has a particular interest in devotional expression, and supporting caregivers as well as communities of color in the Dharma. For his full schedule, visit yongoh.com.
Reflections from Past Participants
Sample Course Lecture
You Belong Here if....
- You long to bring more presence and meaning into your daily life—but don’t want to step away from it to do so.
- You’ve tasted the depth of retreat practice, but are seeking a way to sustain that connection at home.
- You want support staying grounded through the ups and downs—not just when things feel calm or easy.
- You’re navigating a big transition, a quiet yearning, or a sense that something deeper is calling.
- You value spiritual practice, but also value family, work, community, and the full tapestry of a lived life.
- You’re ready to shift from consuming teachings to embodying them, with guidance and companionship along the way.
- You’re curious about how mindfulness and Dharma can support not only personal healing—but collective liberation.
No matter where you are in your practice, you’re welcome here.
Join Us
This is your invitation to stay with what is real.
To meet the fire of your life not with avoidance, but with loving awareness.
To discover that the Dharma is already here—woven into the fabric of your days.
Let your practice be your life. Let your life be your path.
Register Now
Payment Plan
- Over 29 hours of LIVE Instruction
- Online learning community
- 4 live Q&As
11 monthly payments of $99
$79
Early bird pricing - Save $20 / month
* Limited spots available for limited time
Full Payment
- Over 29 hours of LIVE Instruction
- Online learning community
- 4 live Q&As
$999
$799
Early bird pricing - Save $200
* Limited spots available for limited time
- Scholarships are very limited and reserved for those who are truly experiencing financial hardship. Click here to apply.
Course Logistics
Dates: Sept 6, 2025 – April 11, 2026
Large group session times: 9:30 am – 12:30 pm PT
Session 1: Sep 6, Opening session (9:00 am-1:00 pm); IMPORTANT – this first session is longer!
Session 2: Oct 4
Session 3: Nov 1
Session 4: Dec 6
Session 5: Jan 10
Session 6: Feb 7
Session 7: Mar 21
Session 8: Apr 11
Preferred prerequisites (strongly encouraged, not required):
A minimum of 10 days of either silent meditation residential retreats or daylongs/mindfulness workshops, or a combination of both.
At least 2 years of meditation practice.
For white-identified participants, to have completed or be signed up to take a white awareness, antiracist, and/or racial equity training.
Must attend one Program Orientation
- Wed, August 27 – 10am PT
- Thurs, August 28 – 5:30pm PT
Must attend at least 6 of 8 large group sessions live (and access recordings of any missed sessions)
- Meditation: 20-30 min/day recommended
- Reading, journaling, and reflections: 4-8 hr/month
Q&A sessions: (highly recommended but not required, and will be recorded)
- Fri, Oct 17, 10-11am PT
- Th, Nov 6, 10-11am PT
- Th, Jan 22, 12-1pm PT
- Fri, Feb 13, 10-11am PT
- If you need to cancel before the course begins, we’ll provide a refund with just a $75 administrative fee deducted.
- For cancellations made by 5:00 PM PST on Sep 19th, we’ll happily refund your payment, keeping only a $199 course fee.
- To assist you with your cancellation, please reach out to us directly at courses@spiritrock.org. We’ll take care of the process for you.
- After Sep 19th, we won’t be able to issue refunds, so we appreciate your understanding.
Dates: Sept 6, 2025 – April 11, 2026
Large group session times: 9:30 am – 12:30 pm PT
Session 1: Sep 6, Opening session (9:00 am-1:00 pm); IMPORTANT – this first session is longer!
Session 2: Oct 4
Session 3: Nov 1
Session 4: Dec 6
Session 5: Jan 10
Session 6: Feb 7
Session 7: Mar 21
Session 8: Apr 11
Preferred prerequisites (strongly encouraged, not required):
A minimum of 10 days of either silent meditation residential retreats or daylongs/mindfulness workshops, or a combination of both.
At least 2 years of meditation practice.
For white-identified participants, to have completed or be signed up to take a white awareness, antiracist, and/or racial equity training. We offer a White & Awakening on-demand course; for more information, click here.
Must attend one Program Orientation
- Wed, August 27 – 10am PT
- Thurs, August 28 – 5:30pm PT
Must attend at least 6 of 8 large group sessions live (and access recordings of any missed sessions)
- Meditation: 20-30 min/day recommended
- Reading, journaling, and reflections: 4-8 hr/month
Q&A sessions: (highly recommended but not required, and will be recorded)
- Fri, Oct 17, 10-11am PT
- Th, Nov 6, 10-11am PT
- Th, Jan 22, 12-1pm PT
- Fri, Feb 13, 10-11am PT
- If you need to cancel before the course begins, we’ll provide a refund with just a $75 administrative fee deducted.
- For cancellations made by 5:00 PM PST on Sep 19th, we’ll happily refund your payment, keeping only a $199 course fee.
- To assist you with your cancellation, please reach out to us directly at courses@spiritrock.org. We’ll take care of the process for you.
- After Sep 19th, we won’t be able to issue refunds, so we appreciate your understanding.
Course FAQ
Although our Programs are available on any device, we suggest using a computer (if possible) and Chrome or Firefox browser to log in: https://courses.spiritrock.org
Note: The login for our Online Learning Platform differs from your Spirit Rock login.
Accessing Your Program Page:
Click on it from your Dashboard after you’ve logged in. Once there, navigate through the sections on “My Courses” on the dashboard.
Are you logged in? Use the “log in” button on the top right of the page. This will give you the access you need to see all the content.
Although the Online Learning Platform works on mobile and tablet devices, for the best experience, use a desktop or laptop. This might be an easier way to find all the areas of the site as you are learning how it works.
The course is delivered LIVE online over an eight month period over Zoom.
If you notice a link, content, or anything that isn’t working properly, please email us at courses@spiritrock.org
Try refreshing your browser and check your internet connection. Check another website to see if it’s just our site or something in your system.
Yes, once you’ve completed the course, you will retain lifetime access to all course materials, allowing you to revisit lectures, exercises, and meditations whenever needed.
Certain programs provide CECs. Practitioners who meet the requirements and purchase Continuing Education Credits (CECs) will receive a Certificate of Attendance. Additionally, some programs also offer a Certificate of Completion, which will be mentioned in the program description.
If you have any questions related to continuing education credits (including attendance), please send an email to courses@spiritrock.org
We would love for you and your Sangha to join as a group. Please email us at courses@spiritrock.org with more details so we can help you.
If you have a question that isn’t answered here, email us at courses@spiritrock.org.
We understand that plans can change, and we’re here to help.
- If you need to cancel before the course begins, we’ll provide a refund with just a $75 administrative fee deducted.
- For cancellations made by 5:00 PM PST on September 6th, we’ll happily refund your payment, keeping only a $270 course fee.
- To assist you with your cancellation, please reach out to us directly at courses@spiritrock.org. We’ll take care of the process for you.
- After September 6th, we won’t be able to issue refunds, so we appreciate your understanding.
If you have any questions, we’re here to support you.
Although our Programs are available on any device, we suggest using a computer (if possible) and Chrome or Firefox browser to log in: https://courses.spiritrock.org
Note: The login for our Online Learning Platform differs from your Spirit Rock login.
Accessing Your Program Page:
Click on it from your Dashboard after you’ve logged in. Once there, navigate through the sections on “My Courses” on the dashboard.
Are you logged in? Use the “log in” button on the top right of the page. This will give you the access you need to see all the content.
Although the Online Learning Platform works on mobile and tablet devices, for the best experience, use a desktop or laptop. This might be an easier way to find all the areas of the site as you are learning how it works.
The course is delivered LIVE online over an eight month period over Zoom.
If you notice a link, content, or anything that isn’t working properly, please email us at courses@spiritrock.org
Try refreshing your browser and check your internet connection. Check another website to see if it’s just our site or something in your system.
Yes, once you’ve completed the course, you will retain lifetime access to all course materials, allowing you to revisit lectures, exercises, and meditations whenever needed.
Certain programs provide CECs. Practitioners who meet the requirements and purchase Continuing Education Credits (CECs) will receive a Certificate of Attendance. Additionally, some programs also offer a Certificate of Completion, which will be mentioned in the program description.
If you have any questions related to continuing education credits (including attendance), please send an email to courses@spiritrock.org
We would love for you and your Sangha to join as a group. Please email us at courses@spiritrock.org with more details so we can help you.
If you have a question that isn’t answered here, email us at courses@spiritrock.org.
We understand that plans can change, and we’re here to help.
- If you need to cancel before the course begins, we’ll provide a refund with just a $75 administrative fee deducted.
- For cancellations made by 5:00 PM PST on September 6th, we’ll happily refund your payment, keeping only a $270 course fee.
- To assist you with your cancellation, please reach out to us directly at courses@spiritrock.org. We’ll take care of the process for you.
- After September 6th, we won’t be able to issue refunds, so we appreciate your understanding.
If you have any questions, we’re here to support you.
Our Guarantee
Satisfaction Guaranteed
Please read our detailed refund policy in the FAQ above. For any questions or to request a refund, please contact us at courses@spiritrock.org.
Group Program
Join us on this transformative journey with the Living Dharma Program: Exploring & Integrating the Eightfold path in Daily Life course and save 15% when you sign up with a friend or group using the link below!
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