For Beginners - Manzanita Village and Ordinary Dharma

<!DOCTYPE HTML PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD HTML 4.01 Transitional//EN"> <HTML> <style type="text/css">  </style>   <TITLE>Retreats, Classes, and Information from Manzanita Village Retreat Center</TITLE> <style type="text/css">  </style> <style type="text/css">  </style>  <META HTTP-EQUIV="Content-Type" CONTENT="text/html; charset=iso-8859-1">  <LINK REL="STYLESHEET" TYPE="text/css" HREF="../stylesmanzanita.css"> </HEAD> <BODY><A NAME="Return_to_top"></A> <TABLE WIDTH="95%" BORDER="0" CELLSPACING="2" CELLPADDING="2" ALIGN="center">   <p><strong>Ordinary Dharma</strong>, <strong>Manzanita Village</strong>, and <strong>Five Changes Foundation</strong> offers integrated approaches to personal transformation with the understanding that we each have a part to play in the whole, that personal change always has a broad and long-lasting effect that goes beyond our selves. <br> We also understand that we are facing global social and environmental crisis on unprecedented scale. <br> We always hold this in the forefront of our awareness, and acknowledge that grief, anger, fear, anxiety, and denial are natural aspect of the human landscape; as are <strong>love, compassion, focus, energy, joy and creativity</strong>! </p> </blockquote> </div></TD> <TD VALIGN="middle" BGCOLOR="#ffffff" ALIGN=RIGHT><div align="left"><img src="../photos/winter_07_1.jpg" width="300" height="225"></div></TD> </TR> <TR> <TD COLSPAN="2" VALIGN="top" BGCOLOR="#ffffff" ALIGN=RIGHT><div align="left"> <blockquote> <blockquote> <h2>We Offer: </h2> </blockquote> <ul> <li>Training in traditional approaches to the practice of Buddhism in the form of Retreats, Classes, Workshops, and Study Groups that are relevant to living in the world <a href="#Quick_Links_1">CLICK HERE</a> </li> <li>Coaching based on models of rapid change into which we have integrated principles and practices drawn from Buddhism and other teachings <a href="../coaching/fr_coaching.html" target="_parent">CLICK HERE</a> </li> <li> Consultation for groups and individuals who wish to impermanent long term change in order to embody values that are congruent with their view for a healthy, sustainable, and open society, where individuals can flourish and grow <a href="../coaching/fr_consulting.html" target="_parent">CLICK HERE</a> </li> <li>Training in Aikido and Iaido <a href="../aikido/fr_aikido.html" target="_parent">CLICK HERE</a> </li> <li>Two-year non-residential training programs <a href="../retreats/fr_sanctuary.html" target="_parent">CLICK HERE</a> </li> <li>Opportunities for for long-term practice and training at Manzanita Village <a href="../retreats/fr_thevision.html" target="_parent">CLICK HERE</a> </li> </ul> </blockquote> </div></TD> </TR> <TR> <TD COLSPAN="2" VALIGN="top" BGCOLOR="#ffffff" ALIGN=RIGHT><A NAME="Quick_Links_1"></A><A HREF="#Return_to_top">Return To Top</A> </TD> </TR>  <TR> <TD VALIGN="top" COLSPAN="2" BGCOLOR="#cccccc" ALIGN=CENTER><STRONG>Practicing Buddhism and Meditation</STRONG> </TD> </TR>  <TR> <TD COLSPAN="2" VALIGN="top" BGCOLOR="#ffffff"> </TD> </TR> <TR> <TD COLSPAN="2" VALIGN="top" BGCOLOR="#ffffff"><blockquote> <p>Buddhist practice does not presuppose a particular belief in a particular 'religion'. It is a series of tools, a curriculum, to help you understand your own process of perception, believing, and reacting. The intention is for you to bring more integrity, and to be more effective in what you already do. We have no intention of bringing you round to 'some other way of thinking' rather to engender your own capacity for clarity and creative thought. </p> <p>Meditation helps you to relax, to become more aware, to experience genuine joy, and to release yourself form limiting beliefs about yourself and the world.</p> <p>Unless there is indication to the contrary, all our retreats and classes are open to beginning students. No expectation of prior experience is expected. Clear and methodical instruction is given. Chairs are available as well as cushions for those who wish to sit on the floor. </p> <p><strong>Why Zen AND Vipassana?</strong> The teachers have training in two very interconnected systems of practice. One emphasizes 'gradual steps' towards the realization of freedom — a methodical and concrete approach to understanding the mind. The other emphasizes the notion of instant freedom — moving beyond the merely rational, towards utter clarity and freedom. The two illuminate and complement each other. They also offer a continual opportunity to embrace simplicity in the face of complexity — a perfect metaphor for living in this world. </p> <p>Please contact us with any questions. See the <a href="../retreats/fr_retreats.html" target="_parent">Retreats Section</a> and the <a href="../meditation/fr_classes.html" target="_parent">Meditation Section</a> for more details </p> </blockquote></TD> </TR>    <TR> <TD COLSPAN="2" VALIGN="top" BGCOLOR="#ffffff" ALIGN=RIGHT><A NAME="Quick_Links_2"></A><A HREF="#Return_to_top">Return To Top</A></TD> </TR>  <TR> <TD VALIGN="top" COLSPAN="2" BGCOLOR="#cccccc" ALIGN=CENTER><strong>Contact Us </strong></TD> </TR>  <TR> <TD COLSPAN="2" VALIGN="top" BGCOLOR="#ffffff"><blockquote> <p> </p> </blockquote></TD> </TR> <TR> <TD COLSPAN="2" VALIGN="top" BGCOLOR="#ffffff">Ordinary Dharma, <br> PO Box 67, <br> Warner Springs, <br> CA 92086 <br> <br> 760-782-9223 Manzanita Village <br> 760-782-0655 Fax <br> <br> 800-619-8416<br> manzanita@ordinarydharma.org                              </TABLE> </BODY> </HTML>