Sitting in the desert with the gentle Winter sun I appreciate Ajahn Brahm’s words that meditation is just being present with one in breath and one out breath and then doing it again for the next breath and the next.
The days of Winter Retreat at Dhamma Dena are so varied in nature and unexpected in what might arise that I’ve quickly seen that expectations for what’s next are quite ineffective and fruitless. I have found it is much better to just be willing to share a slice of banana from the morning breakfast if I happen to cross paths with a bunny or roadrunner rather than to carry a slice of banana around and look for them. Same is true for sharing Dhamma, chanting, and meditation with the people who pass through. Same is true for my meditation and study. I am endeavoring to find the opportunity in this moment for practice and to apply whatever resources I have to that opportunity.
And what resources have I been cultivating?
Foremost is a centered, grounded, relaxed mind/body state with a warm and smiling heart and kind eyes. Another key practice is to notice my tendency toward distraction and to both give myself wholesome Dhamma input (Ajahn Suchart is a most frequent choice for listening to encouragement for practice) and to take the opportunity to start the mindfulness again and again and again with warmth and care.
I think these resources will serve well beyond retreat as I take train and bus up California starting March 26th. Perhaps, I will continue all the way North to Western Washington State as Ayya Suvijjana and I begin to explore the option of starting a monastery there.
We have heard of much interest to have monastics in Western Washington. Currently we don’t have a place to stay while we look for an initial rental or other available option to bring our monastic practice. If you have ideas, we’d love to hear from you.
We’ll bring with us our love of the Dhamma, monastic training, and a commitment to continue on the path of awakening.
In the meantime, I have several weeks left here in the desert that invites stilling and further cultivation of the wholesome, stabilizing, loving, and freeing. It will be a time of flowing between seclusion and interaction with the residents and online.
I am also open to connecting with others by email or zoom regarding the next phase of monastic development and Dhamma sharing.
Wishing you and Ayya Suvijjana all the possible support needed to find a conducive and comfortable place for practice and the fulfillment of your noble aims! Really beautiful writing and I feel delight that you are braving the rewarding path of starting aomething up that will serve many, including yourselves, on the Path to Awakening. Breath by single, simple breath, as you say, trusting in the power of good intentions 🙂 With much metta and encouragement, Ven Canda (currently in South WA (i think!) – Cloud Mnt.