Upcoming residential retreats
We will be practicing deeply with the 3 characteristics: impermanence, suffering and non-self -- a core teaching of the Buddha, plus seeing what is beautiful and ugly in proper perspective. This practice and investigation lead to liberating insight.
May 5-10 With the World on Fire, Embody the Eightfold Path at Spirit Rock
Woodacre, CA taught by Ayya Santussika, Ayya Santacitta and Ayya Anandabodhi
More details and registration here
Woodacre, CA taught by Ayya Santussika, Ayya Santacitta and Ayya Anandabodhi
More details and registration here
June 7- 20 Cooling the Mind, Warming the Heart at Cloud Mountain Retreat Center
Castle Rock, WA
More details and registration here
Castle Rock, WA
More details and registration here
Community Bonfire Work Day
Sunday, March 24 from 9am-3:30pm
 | All are welcome to join in helping keep the hermitage fire-season ready. We'll be gathering up more downed trees, limbs and brush to throw into a firefighter-approved bonfire/burn pile. Includes vegetarian potluck at 11am as usual, & the requisite s'mores by the fire--you know, just to keep our energy up! |
New Meal Offering Calendar
Some kind lay friends have offered to help organize a new meal offering calendar.
You can feed the KBV bhikkhunis by clicking on this link: Meal offerings page
If you would like to help out with organizing offerings, send an email to [email protected]
You can feed the KBV bhikkhunis by clicking on this link: Meal offerings page
If you would like to help out with organizing offerings, send an email to [email protected]
Bhikkhunis on retreat during the Vassa
Deer Creek at the KBV Forest Hermitage The KBV Bhikkhunis will spend the vassa on retreat this year. For the first time ever, they will have a three month retreat at KBV for the residents. As the hermitage and Sunnyvale meditation center are well established now, and with no big building projects planned for the summer/early autumn, it finally feels like time for a big shift towards more intensive, focused practice.
From July 21 through October 17, the Ayyas will be on retreat and hope to have lay stewards staying with them at the hermitage to provide meals and look after the buildings and grounds. Members of the community are welcome to apply to serve the retreat by emailing [email protected].
During this time, Ayya Santussika plans to continue offering a recorded Saturday morning dhamma talk, and lay members of the community will continue Wednesday evening programs.
From July 21 through October 17, the Ayyas will be on retreat and hope to have lay stewards staying with them at the hermitage to provide meals and look after the buildings and grounds. Members of the community are welcome to apply to serve the retreat by emailing [email protected].
During this time, Ayya Santussika plans to continue offering a recorded Saturday morning dhamma talk, and lay members of the community will continue Wednesday evening programs.
Looking forward to KBV talks and guided meditations without ads?
Folks have been asking us if we can please get rid of the ads on the KBV YouTube videos. We need 1,000 subscribers to do that. And, right now (as we are writing this), we have 923! Please subscribe if you haven't and invite your friends!
Save the date for the KBV Kathina 2024
Saturday, November 2nd
| The kathina has been generously offered by lay supporters to celebrate the end of Vassa this year. Click here for more information on the tradition of Kathina. |  |
Thailand Pilgrimage 2024:
November 21 - December 5
KBV community members may apply through this form
EVERYONE who wishes to come MUST apply
(We have room for 16 pilgrims)
Application deadline: June 1, 2024
Please read this letter from a former pilgrim before applying
Ajahn Gunha teaching at Wat Subtawee
Developing Resilience and Avoiding Despair
| When life throws one major challenge at us after another, how can we avoid sinking into despair? When aging, sickness, death and other kinds of change or loss come up in life, it is important to be kind and gentle with ourselves. We can accept all of our feelings with patience, even as we stop feeding negative feelings with thoughts that evoke sadness over the past or fear of the future. We can also bring to mind the Dhamma principles that we’ve examined many times. These can take on new meaning in the midst of a challenging situation, to the benefit of everyone involved. |  Ayya Santussika in retreat in the new elder's kuti at KBV Forest Hermitage |
It is good to reach out to spiritual friends during these times. Feel free to contact us, for example. We need our fellow practitioners to help us remember the Buddha’s teachings on how these changes in life are part of a much larger picture (lifetimes), on how kindness and generosity appear in many unexpected ways, and how our good qualities and actions do bring about good results. In every crisis, there are beautiful experiences as well as difficult ones.
It is important to not be concerned if meditation is difficult or impossible during these times. We should do what we can to calm the body and mind and to be compassionate and patient with ourselves, relying on all the meditation hours we've already put in. Continue to make gentle effort. Meditation might "happen" when we least expect it.
It is good to open to the flow of spiritual energy that can come through us unexpectedly in trying times. Often, there can be a surprising sense of calm and stability as the Dhamma arises in us to meet these experiences.
It is also good to continue to do things that bring us joy and happiness and to talk with our loved ones about good qualities and acts of virtue, kindness and generosity. We can do what we can to make the time we have with those close to us as sweet and uplifting as possible.
This is a great time for Dhamma practice. It’s a great time to let go of all negative memories and any grievances, and for letting go of our expectations. It is a great time for forgiveness and loving kindness.
Practicing these suggestions in times of much less challenge helps us build resilience and wholesome patterns that are more readily available to us. So don't wait until the chips fall (or they hit the fan).
For more on seeing reality as it is, tune in to the current series for the Sati Center or attend the upcoming residential retreat at the Barre Center for Buddhist Studies (April 2-7) on Dispelling Delusion.
If you would like to join a discussion on developing resilience and avoiding despair during specific life challenges, join us for “How do I apply the Dhamma to THIS” on Saturday morning, February 17th.
With much metta,
Ayya Santussika
It is important to not be concerned if meditation is difficult or impossible during these times. We should do what we can to calm the body and mind and to be compassionate and patient with ourselves, relying on all the meditation hours we've already put in. Continue to make gentle effort. Meditation might "happen" when we least expect it.
It is good to open to the flow of spiritual energy that can come through us unexpectedly in trying times. Often, there can be a surprising sense of calm and stability as the Dhamma arises in us to meet these experiences.
It is also good to continue to do things that bring us joy and happiness and to talk with our loved ones about good qualities and acts of virtue, kindness and generosity. We can do what we can to make the time we have with those close to us as sweet and uplifting as possible.
This is a great time for Dhamma practice. It’s a great time to let go of all negative memories and any grievances, and for letting go of our expectations. It is a great time for forgiveness and loving kindness.
Practicing these suggestions in times of much less challenge helps us build resilience and wholesome patterns that are more readily available to us. So don't wait until the chips fall (or they hit the fan).
For more on seeing reality as it is, tune in to the current series for the Sati Center or attend the upcoming residential retreat at the Barre Center for Buddhist Studies (April 2-7) on Dispelling Delusion.
If you would like to join a discussion on developing resilience and avoiding despair during specific life challenges, join us for “How do I apply the Dhamma to THIS” on Saturday morning, February 17th.
With much metta,
Ayya Santussika