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Teacher of Presence – Foundations
A 12-Month Immersion in Presence, Clarity and Direct Experience
There comes a point where more seeking doesn’t help.
You’ve explored different approaches.
You’ve tried to understand yourself, improve yourself, or find clarity through effort.
And yet something remains unsettled.
Not because something is missing, but because what you are looking for cannot be found through more thinking.
This program is for that moment.
What This Program Offers
Teacher of Presence – Foundations is a one-year immersion that points to a simple but profound shift:
From Living Through the Constant Activity of the Mind
To Recognising The Presence In Which Life Is Already Known
This is not about becoming someone new.
It is about noticing, more clearly, what has always been here.
You Might Hear This In Different Ways
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What You Are Is Already Here; Nothing Needs To Be Added
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There Is Nowhere To Go, Nothing To Do & Nothing To Achieve; Only Something To Notice
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What You Are Looking For Has Never Been Separate From You
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As The Mind Quiets, What Is Already Present Becomes Clear
A Brief Word On Non-Duality
Non-duality simply means “not two”
It points to the understanding that the awareness through which you experience life is not separate from life itself.
Most of us live as if we are a separate person, moving through a world, trying to manage, control or improve what is happening.
This creates a constant sense of tension, a feeling that something needs to be resolved.
Non-duality invites a different kind of seeing:
Not through belief or philosophy,
but through directly noticing the awareness in which all experience appears.
What You May Begin to Notice
Over time, participants may find:
The Mind Becomes Quieter And Less Dominant
Situations That Once Felt Overwhelming Are Met With More Ease
Relationships Become Simpler And More Honest
The Need To Fix or Control Begins To Soften
A Natural Capacity To Be With Others Begins To Emerge
A Sense of Clarity, That Does Not Depend On Circumstances
The Mind Becomes Quieter And Less Dominant
Situations That Once Felt Overwhelming Are Met With More Ease
Relationships Become Simpler And More Honest
The Need To Fix or Control Begins To Soften
A Natural Capacity To Be With Others Begins To Emerge
A Sense of Clarity, That Does Not Depend On Circumstances
About Marcus McKeown
Marcus McKeown is a Director and Resident Teacher at Yellow Rock Sanctuary.
His work points to the understanding of non-duality and the direct experience of presence in everyday life. His approach is grounded, simple and human, creating spaces where people can recognise clarity for themselves, rather than being given answers or techniques to follow.
Marcus’ work has developed through years of working closely with individuals and groups navigating both practical challenges and deeper questions of life. His own journey includes a shift away from a highly driven, goal-oriented way of living toward a more direct and immediate experience of being - a transition that brought profound change, and a deeper recognition of what remains when familiar structures fall away.
The program is led by Marcus, alongside guest facilitators who support different aspects of the learning environment.
Is This For You?
This program may be right for you if:
-
You Feel Drawn To Something Deeper But Don’t Want More Complexity
-
You Are Tired of Trying To Fix or Improve Yourself
-
You Want A Grounded, Real Exploration of Presence
-
You Feel A Natural Inclination To Be With And Support Others
-
You Are Ready For Something Quieter, Simpler And More Honest
The Mind Becomes Quieter And Less Dominant
Situations That Once Felt Overwhelming Are Met With More Ease
Relationships Become Simpler And More Honest
The Need To Fix or Control Begins To Soften
A Natural Capacity To Be With Others Begins To Emerge
A Sense of Clarity, That Does Not Depend On Circumstances
Nothing new is given to you.
You simply begin to notice what has always been here.
You Might Hear This In Different Ways
-
You Don’t Need To Become Anything; Only To See More Clearly
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What You Are Seeking Is Already Present In Your Experience
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The Simplicity of Being Has Never Left You
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Clarity Is Not Created; It Is Recognised
You Might Hear This In Different Ways
-
You Don’t Need To Become Anything; Only To See More Clearly
-
What You Are Seeking Is Already Present In Your Experience
-
The Simplicity of Being Has Never Left You
-
Clarity Is Not Created; It Is Recognised
What This Program Is, And Is Not
This Is:
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A Direct Exploration of Presence And Awareness
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A Space For Honest, Lived Understanding
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An Environment That Supports Clarity, Not Complexity
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A Foundation For Being With Others In A Grounded And Authentic Way
This Is Not:
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A Therapy Training
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A Coaching Certification
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A Method or System To Follow
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A Path of Self-Improvement
You Are Not Being Asked To Become Something Else.
The Setting: Yellow Rock Sanctuary
This program is held at Yellow Rock Sanctuary, a place that naturally supports this kind of exploration.
Situated in the heart of Slieve Gullion in South Armagh, the sanctuary offers:
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Expansive Woodlands & Quiet Walking Paths
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A Variety of Gardens & Natural Spaces
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Organic Food, Grown & Prepared on The Land
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Farm Animals & Open Countryside
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A Dedicated Meditation Room
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A Quiet Library For Reflection
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Working Polytunnels & Land-Based Living
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Private Pods or Shared Accommodation
Life here follows a gentle rhythm of simplicity, nature and presence.
There are times each day where silence is held, not as a rule, but as a recognition: That In Silence, Something Essential Becomes Clear
This is not a retreat from life.
It is a place where life can be experienced more directly… without the constant noise.
The Structure
This is a 12-month program, with:
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One In-Person Weekend Per Month
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One Online Integration Session Between Each Weekend
The Year Unfolds Naturally:
Months 1–5
Grounding In Presence And Direct Recognition
Month 6 – Silent Retreat
A Full Weekend Held In Shared Silence, Allowing Understanding To Deepen Without Effort
Months 7–12
Integration, Relational Presence And The Natural Expression of Clarity
Each weekend includes:
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Direct Teaching And Open Dialogue
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Guided Inquiry
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Silence And Reflection
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Relational Presence Practices
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Space For Integration And Real Conversation
Remain With Their Own Experience With Greater Ease
Sit With Others Without Needing To Advise or Fix
Listen More Deeply And Respond More Clearly
Share Simple Inquiry In An Informal And Natural Way
Remain With Their Own Experience With Greater Ease
Sit With Others Without Needing To Advise or Fix
Listen More Deeply And Respond More Clearly
Share Simple Inquiry In An Informal And Natural Way
Remain With Their Own Experience With Greater Ease
Sit With Others Without Needing To Advise or Fix
Listen More Deeply And Respond More Clearly
Share Simple Inquiry In An Informal And Natural Way
This is the beginning of what we call:
Practitioner of Presence
Continuing the Journey
For those who feel called to go further, a second-year program is available.
Year 1 – Foundations
Learning To Recognise And Live From Presence
Year 2 – Advanced
Deepening Stability And Learning To Guide Others More Fully
This is a natural continuation, not a requirement.
Program Investment
Pay In Full (Best Value)
£2,800
Flexible Payment Options
A small additional amount is applied for payment plans:
-
3 Payments: £970 × 3 (Total £2,910)
-
6 Payments: £490 × 6 (Total £2,940)
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9 Payments: £335 × 9 (Total £3,015)
Accommodation (Optional)
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£50 Per Night - Full Board (Shared Accommodation)
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£75 Per Night - Full Board (Private Pod)
Across 12 weekends, this typically totals approx £1,200/£1,500 For The Full Year
A small number of essential texts are suggested to support the program, with an estimated cost of approximately £30–£70.
Program Investment
Pay In Full (Best Value)
£2,800
Flexible Payment Options
A small additional amount is applied for payment plans:
-
3 Payments: £970 × 3 (Total £2,910)
-
6 Payments: £490 × 6 (Total £2,940)
-
9 Payments: £335 × 9 (Total £3,015)
Accommodation (Optional)
-
£50 Per Night - Full Board (Shared Accommodation)
-
£75 Per Night - Full Board (Private Pod)
Across 12 weekends, this typically totals approx £1,200/£1,500 For The Full Year
A small number of essential texts are suggested to support the program, with an estimated cost of approximately £30–£70.
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About Marcus McKeown
Marcus McKeown is a Director and Resident Teacher at Yellow Rock Sanctuary.
His work points to the understanding of non-duality and the direct experience of presence in everyday life. His approach is grounded, simple and human, creating spaces where people can recognise clarity for themselves, rather than being given answers or techniques to follow.
Marcus’ work has developed through years of working closely with individuals and groups navigating both practical challenges and deeper questions of life. His own journey includes a shift away from a highly driven, goal-oriented way of living toward a more direct and immediate experience of being - a transition that brought profound change, and a deeper recognition of what remains when familiar structures fall away.
The program is led by Marcus, alongside guest facilitators who support different aspects of the learning environment.
Is This For You?
This program may be right for you if:
-
You Feel Drawn To Something Deeper But Don’t Want More Complexity
-
You Are Tired of Trying To Fix or Improve Yourself
-
You Want A Grounded, Real Exploration of Presence
-
You Feel A Natural Inclination To Be With And Support Others
-
You Are Ready For Something Quieter, Simpler And More Honest
What People Say
“I came from a very driven, high-performance mindset, always looking for the next step. What I experienced here was completely different, not another strategy, but a shift in how I relate to everything.”
- Mark T.
“There was nothing to fix, nothing to solve, and somehow that changed everything. I feel more at ease in myself than I ever have.”
- Claire D.
“I’ve done years of personal development and coaching work. This was the first time something felt genuinely settled, without effort.”
- Sarah L.
Apply For A Place
Spaces are intentionally limited to allow for depth and individual attention.
If this resonates, you are welcome to apply or enquire.
Final Note
There Is Nothing To Become Here.
No Role To Take On.
No Version of Yourself To Reach.
Only The Possibility of Noticing, More Clearly, What Has Always Been Present —
And Living From That, More Fully.
Apply For A Place
Spaces are intentionally limited to allow for depth and individual attention.
If this resonates, you are welcome to apply or enquire.
Final Note
There Is Nothing To Become Here.
No Role To Take On.
No Version of Yourself To Reach.
Only The Possibility of Noticing, More Clearly, What Has Always Been Present —
And Living From That, More Fully.
Session I:
Understanding True Healing
This session peels back the layers on the nature of healing. Healing is not just the cessation of pain or the removal of symptoms; it is a profound surrender, a return to stillness where conflict ceases. “Peace comes not from the absence of conflict,” teaches spiritual master Thich Nhat Hanh, “but from the ability to cope with it.” We investigate the mind's role in creating both confusion and clarity, learning how to find peace in the stillness beyond thought. Understanding who you are & the idea of healing as an experience is a complex simplicity and a simple complexity. During this session we begin to deal with the contradictions and mind tricks that keep people locked out of their own potential and stuck in life experiences that remain forever limited.
Session II:
The Mind-Body Connection
In this interactive session, we explore bio-cognitive and transpersonal psychology, examining how daily behaviors and thought patterns hide the information necessary for healing. Guided by indigenous wisdom and classical philosophy, we discover how to interpret these signals and remove the blocks preventing harmony. “The body is the soul’s house,” said Plato, “Shouldn’t we therefore care for our bodies as if they belong to the divine?” We unpack what it means to nurture the mind-body connection, recognizing the body as a vessel of wisdom. Here we take a look at the role of intuition in your every day and how to live an intuitive life
Workshop Highlights
Session IV:
Realizing Non-Duality in Healing
The culmination of our day’s work is an invitation into the experience of non-duality, a perspective that transcends dualistic thinking, allowing for a unified field where healer and healed become one. Through practical exercises, we explore the state where healing is no longer an act, but a natural outcome of being. “He who knows others is wise; he who knows himself is enlightened,” Lao Tzu’s words resonate as we delve into what it means to experience oneself as both healer and healed. In a more authentic tone non-duality tells us that there is no healing because there is nothing & no one that needs to be healed. This session of the day truly challenges you to understand what it means to play in the field of oneness without the minds interference.
Session III:
Moving from Knowledge to Experience
This session shifts from intellectual understanding to direct experience. Here, we engage in meditative practices and silence to access the space where healing is allowed rather than forced. Inspired by non-dual teachings, this journey takes us from contemplation to realization, bridging the gap between the human story and the mystical experience. “Silence is the language of God,” wrote Rumi, “all else is poor translation.” During this session we get to experience some of the mystical and magical aspects of what it is to witness healing. As we sit into the observers position we soon understand more of the reason why healing is not known by so many but also how easy it can be to access the mystical and miraculous, even for those who think it could never happen for them
Apply For A Place
Spaces are intentionally limited to allow for depth and individual attention.
If this resonates, you are welcome to apply or enquire.
Final Note
There Is Nothing To Become Here.
No Role To Take On.
No Version of Yourself To Reach.
Only The Possibility of Noticing, More Clearly, What Has Always Been Present —
And Living From That, More Fully.