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Carving out retreat time is both a necessity and a luxury for anyone intent on ending suffering, yet we cant live in retreat forever! Moreover, mature practice demands we integrate insights gained on retreat into every-day life, if we are to experience genuine, lasting benefit. A stay at a monastery can help with transitioning from retreat and learning integration. Not only that, but a retreat can be so transformative that we may emerge with an aspiration to seek a simpler and quieter life, which conduces to full awakening.
I envisage creating a place which is more monastery than meditation centre, yet more meditative than most monasteries (!); where happy community life does not become an end in itself, but a potent support for liberation. When the balance between service and meditation is right, each step of the Noble Path reinforces the others, to eventually culminate in 'Right Liberation' (AN10:103 and 115)
Different levels of engagement with the ordained community will be possible: from offering the daily meal, staying a few days, months...or perhaps even longer in a stewardship role. And of course, monastic training from the eight precept 'anagarika' right up to full 'bhikkhuni' ordination will be possible for women with a calling to monastic life. As we endeavour to bring this vision to life, I feel so grateful for the inspiration and support of bhikkhunis and practitioners everywhere, who bring their whole heart to the practice- unapologetically, authentically and with great courage and love.
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Preparations for Ajahns' tour (10th-18th October 2017) are coming on a treat and we are due to open registration in May. Before we write up the whole programme, we want to offer you a chance to suggest some titles or subjects for the talks! Feel free to add brief descriptions to elaborate your chosen subject. We may not be able to accommodate all suggestions, but look forward to being inspired! Please send your ideas by the end of April using 
Volunteer Book-Keeper Found!
