Is Life’s Busyness Keeping You From Real Presence?
When life becomes overwhelming, the first thing we lose is our sense of grounded presence. Stress, uncertainty, and the rush of daily responsibilities leave us disconnected, anxious, and reactive.
But what if you could find your ground—right where you are—no matter what life throws at you?
Awake in Action: A Path to Embodied Presence
This transformative teaching series offers a clear path back to presence through four progressive online sessions and an immersive four-day retreat at the serene Crestone Mountain Zen Center.
You’ll cultivate the ability to remain calm, clear, and responsive amidst life's complexities, bringing awareness from your meditation cushion into the heart of daily living.
What You'll Experience
Online Series (4 Weeks):
Session 1:
Situated Immediacy – Finding Your Ground in Any Moment
Discover practical ways to ground yourself amid chaos.
Session 2:
The Art of Letting Go– Stop Grasping, Start Living
Learn how to release control and find freedom in change.
Session 3:
Awake in Action – Bringing Presence into Daily Life
Transform everyday actions into mindful experiences.
Session 4:
Integration – Living from Effort and Effortlessness
Create a sustainable practice for ongoing presence and calm.
Four-Day Retreat (Crestone Mountain Zen Center):
Immerse deeply in contemplative practice at 8,000 feet in Colorado's breathtaking high-desert landscape. With expert guidance, experience sitting and walking meditation, dharma talks, personal mentorship, and profound connection to inner stillness.
What People Are Saying
"nico is a deeply experienced practitioner, with a strong dedication to his own meditation journey. He has immersed himself for many years in long intensive practice, and I highly recommend his teaching."
— Joseph Goldstein, Author of Mindfulness: A Practical Guide to Awakening, Co-founder of the Insight Meditation Society
"Nicole’s blend of psychology and Zen is profoundly helpful and immediately practical. Her teachings clarified my path through life's challenges."
— Hans-Werner
"Nicole’s blend of psychology and Zen is profoundly helpful and immediately practical. Her teachings clarified my path through life's challenges."
— Hans-Werner
"Nicole has been my student for over twenty-five years, and I have watched her develop into one of the most gifted dharma teachers of her generation. Her deep understanding of both contemplative practice and psychological insight creates a unique approach that meets people exactly where they are. When I asked her to serve as Abbot of Zen Buddhistisches Zentrum Schwarzwald and Crestone Mountain Zen Center, it was because of her rare combination of wisdom, compassion, and practical skill in guiding others toward awakening. Her teaching embodies the best of our lineage while speaking directly to the needs of contemporary practitioners."
— Zentatsu Richard Baker Roshi, Dharma Holder in Suzuki Roshi's lineage
"With his PhD in counseling psychology and his decades-long commitment to meditation and dharma practice, nico brings a unique depth and perspective to his mentoring and teaching. Working with him can help you make real changes, right now, in the midst of your busy life."
— Judson A. Brewer, MD PhD, Director of Research and Innovation, Brown University Mindfulness Center
Your Teachers
Drawing on over 50 years of combined practice and having guided thousands of students worldwide, nico and Nicole bring complementary approaches to embodied awakening.
Tatsudo Nicole Baden Roshi recently became Abbot of Dharma Sangha after receiving transmission from Zentatsu Baker Roshi in Suzuki Roshi's lineage. With a background in psychology and body‒centered therapy, she brings a uniquely embodied approach to contemplative teaching, emphasizing "contextual presence" and practical transformation.
nico hase lived for six years at Crestone Mountain Zen Center before earning a PhD in counseling psychology and becoming an Insight meditation teacher full‒time. He studies closely with Joseph Goldstein and has trained extensively in Zen and Vajrayana practices. He is co‒guiding teacher of Refuge of Belonging, an online Dharma community, teaches retreats, and offers one‒on‒one dharma mentoring. Along with his life partner devon, he co‒authored How Not to Be a Hot Mess: A Buddhist Survival Guide for Modern Life.
Program Details
Dates:
- Online Series: September 25, October 2, 9, 16, 2025 (Thursdays, 5:00-6:30 PM PT)
- Retreat: October 22-26, 2025
Investment:
- Complete Program (Online + Retreat): $925 + donation to teachers
- Online + Virtual Retreat: $515 + donation to teachers
- Online Series Only: $190 + donation to teachers
Space for in-person retreat limited to ensure personalized attention (max 30 participants). Partial scholarships and payment plans available.
