by Ayya Niyyanika | Jul 13, 2023 | Uncategorized
During my visit to Tilorien Monastery in Belgium, I encountered a new way of practice for the Full Moon Uposatha Nights. Rather than sitting all night, most of the night is spent walking, mostly in forest. About half way through the walk about an hour is given to...
by Ayya Niyyanika | May 16, 2023 | Uncategorized
Coming out of about four months of retreat, I find myself uncertain of what to share here. In this time of retreat, and even before, I’ve fallen away from journaling, finding that conditions move so quickly and, often, but not always, are leaving less residue that...
by Ayya Niyyanika | Apr 12, 2023 | Uncategorized
Between retreats, I had the good fortune to spend a week at Mahapajapati Monastery. The community there is gearing up for growth and Sangha development in a beautiful way. I was deeply impressed by the friendly open welcome and sharing of Dhamma practice. Ayyā...
by Ayya Niyyanika | Mar 21, 2023 | Uncategorized
The retreats in Wisconsin and Alberta were nourishing. The time in the cold nature of snowy Winter helped me slow down and be with the body as it responded to the elements. Overall I would characterize the retreats with the word “happiness.” Certainly,...
by Ayya Niyyanika | Jan 13, 2023 | Uncategorized
Aloka Vihara is ending at its Placerville, California location (where the picture above was taken during a visit by the Clear Mountain Monastics) and, with such an ending, it was necessary to begin some other phase or place of monastic life. This gives me the...
by Ayya Niyyanika | Nov 27, 2022 | Uncategorized
For many people an online identity through a website or social media is a tricky thing fraught with worry over popularity and social acceptance and it can take a lot of time and energy to create, track, and maintain. It can be a worldly trap. Before monastic life, I...
