Dawn Mauricio

What’s your favorite part of your work?

Each time I teach a class or co-lead a retreat, I feel immense gratitude that I get to spend so many of my days surrounded by people who have a genuine interest in seeing the heart and mind more clearly.

What’s your least favorite part of your work?

As I move away from teaching yoga into more of a Dharma meditation teacher role, I’m discovering that meditation retreat teaching days are long and full, making self-care during these important periods challenging.

What still excites you and keeps you engaged with teaching yoga?

Nowadays, my line of teaching is one that shares Dharma teachings through a Theravada Buddhist meditation lens. The Buddha said that if you can trace a teaching back to the suttas and it doesn’t contradict his teachings, it can be considered as his word. Given this and the amount of Buddhist suttas that exist, I see this as an invitation to be creative, to find my own voice and expression within the ocean of the Dharma. Particularly, I’m excited to take the teachings of the ancient texts and bring them to life in modern and relevant ways.

If you didn’t teach yoga, what else would you do?

If I wasn’t a Dharma meditation teacher or yoga teacher, I’d probably be an elementary or high school teacher. Teaching is part of my DNA and I especially love sharing what I know with young people. And if not those things, then a surf instructor!

What are you excited about learning next?

I’ve recently started the 4-year Spirit Rock Meditation Center Teacher Training. As I step into this new expression of a spiritual teacher, I’m discovering that there is a depth to this role and a whole set of responsibilities that are new to me. I feel that what I’ll learn over the next four years will only point to what is possible for me. I’m excited to see what that entails and to continue to evolve my teaching practice.

What’s your finest advice for a newer teacher?

Follow the green lights and keep studying.
The Universe conspires to make your wildest dreams come true, so keep paying attention for the signs. At the same time, keep studying as it’ll keep you humble and the presence of a trusted teacher will make sure you are following the green lights without speeding.

Evolutionary biology or god(s)?

“Both/and”! There is God infused in all sentient beings, and it is thanks to evolutionary biology that we can begin to really sense that Spirit and harness it.