Spring Monastic Retreat with
Ajahn Sundara
May 20 - 29, 2009
"Meditation: Way of Awakening, Way of Transformation"
Saranaloka Foundation is pleased to invite you to participate in a ten-day meditation retreat at Angela Center (535 Angela Drive, Santa Rosa, CA 95403).
This retreat will offer the opportunity to focus our attention on the 'world' that arises in our heart/mind and to understand through insight the root of our human suffering. Meditation develops a refuge of awareness that brings about the clarity of wisdom and the gentleness of compassion, which gradually turns into a source of blessing in the world and a creative response to the uncertainties of life. Periods of sitting meditation will alternate with walking meditation. Each day, there will be devotional chanting and Dhamma guidance.
Ajahn Sundara was born in France. Her early studies were in dance in both France and England. In her early thirties, after working for a few years as a dancer and teacher of contemporary dance, she had the opportunity to attend a talk followed by a retreat led by Ajahn Sumedho. His teachings and his way of life as a Buddhist monk resonated deeply.
Before long, she visited Chithurst Monastery in England and asked to join the monastic community as one of the first four women novices. In 1983 she was given the Going Forth as a siladhara (ten precept nun) and shortly thereafter, she went to live at Amaravati Monastery where she participated in the establishment of the nuns’ community and training.
In the mid-nineties she spent over two years in Thailand practicing in the forest monasteries. For the last 20 years she has taught and led meditation retreats in Europe and North America.
Over the course of each day, there will be meditation instructions, Dhamma talks, discussion, devotional chanting and some gentle physical exercises. The eight precepts as well as noble silence will be observed. Breakfast and a midday meal will be served each day, with hot and cold beverages provided in the evening.
Accommodation is single-occupancy rooms for the first 32 registrants, and possible additional accommodations for double- or multiple-occupancy rooms. We are unable to accommodate any special dietary or environmental needs. Incense and candles are used at the morning and evening chanting periods. This monastic residential retreat for women and men will fill quickly as spaces are limited at the Angela Center.
The retreat will be offered solely on a dana (donation) basis, and dana will be tax deductible. A refundable registration deposit of $100 is required to register for this retreat. For those who attend the retreat the deposit can be refunded in full or can be offered as a donation to Saranaloka Foundation to help defer costs incurred. If you must cancel, please give as much notice as possible, preferably at least 30 days in advance, by emailing Cyndia Biver at seebee3@gmail.com. Out of respect for others, please register only when you can make a clear, wholehearted commitment to attend.
Please download and print the registration form, complete it, enclose a deposit check for $100 payable to Saranaloka Foundation, and mail to:
Cyndia Biver
160 Graystone Terrace #4
San Francisco, CA 94114
email: seebee3@gmail.com
Download registration form
Download flyer with info about the retreat for posting at your group and sharing with others.
