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Stillness Flowing – The Life and Teachings of Ajahn Chah

“Stillness Flowing – The Life and Teachings of Ajahn Chah” by Ajahn Jayasaro, the long-awaited biography of Ajahn Chah in English, with an introduction by Luong Por Sumedho.

850 pgs,  Panyaprateep Foundation, 2017.

From Ajahn Jayasaro’s preface:

Although it has been my intention that this book should be, as far as possible, a biography as opposed to a hagiography, I am not sure that I have been completely successful. My love for Luang Por and my belief  in his enlightenment inevitably colour the text. What I have not done is suppress any scandalous or embarrassing information out of concern for his good name. Hard as it may be to accept nowadays when there is so much – and often well-founded – cynicism about the integrity of religious figures, Luang Por Chah had absolutely nothing to hide. The only skeleton in a cupboard at Wat Pah Pong was the one hanging on public display in the Dhamma Hall. In fact, that is one of the strongest reasons for my belief  that the life of Luang Por Chah is so worthy of study.

 … Read the rest

When You Stick Your Neck Out

On the occasion of the arrival of the large new Buddha Rupa (statue), Ajahn Viradhammo talks about taking personal and societal risks and responsibilities, and how this allows one to work with fear. (Talk given at Tisarana on 12 Jan 2017. Duration = 25:27)
… Read the rest

Receive a printed copy of “Stillness Flowing”

How To: Post a “ship-to-self” mailer to Tisarana for book shipment

These are instructions for domestic shipment of the book “Stillness Flowing – The Life and Teachings of Ajahn Chah” (Pub. 2017, Panyaprateep Foundation) from Tisarana monastery in Ontario to destinations within Canada. To receive a copy of the book you can purchase and send to Tisarana a shipping pouch (aka a “mailer”, or “poly bubble mailer”) which has been pre-addressed to yourself, with postage pre-affixed. When we receive this one of our volunteers will put a copy of the book inside and drop it off at the post office on our next town trip. As of March 2018 the cost for supplies and postage is about $30 or less.

Procedure
This entire process can be done at any Canada Post office, though the supplies can be acquired elsewhere if desired. You need to purchase two items, a “mailer” and an “envelope”. Please note these two terms. You will use the envelope to post the mailer to Tisarana. Thereafter, Tisarana will use the mailer to send you the book.

… Read the rest

A User’s Guide to Making Determinations

Ajahn Viradhammo suggests that we make determinations inspired by wisdom as opposed to making determinations based on athleticism, endeavour and blind will power. (Talk given at Tisarana on 11-Jan-2017. Duration = 35:18)
… Read the rest

The Monastery Grows

New property addition:

Near the beginning of the winter retreat we became aware that a neighbouring property along the NW boundary of Tisarana came up for sale: 548 Pike Lake Rt. 17A (see the image below). This is 59 acres which have long been held by a group of hunters. The piece is undeveloped in that there is currently no source of water or septic.  There is a gravel access road and a small cabin and storage shed. The acreage is mixed hardwood forest, scrub and marshland, very similar to the Tisarana property. It also has a small stretch of lake access.

At the suggestion of several lay supporters and with the approval of the Board of Directors, the monastery has decided to pursue purchase of this property. We have in mind several purposes:

  • Buffer one boundary of Tisarana and insure no new (possibly disruptive) neighbour appears there;
  • Create additional wildlife refuge;
  • Expand the amount of useable trail and forest for monastery visitors;
  • Create a men’s compound (eventually) for increased separation of visitors by gender, and
  • Expand the number of monk’s kutis by one or more.

The property listed at $295,000 (CDN) and we expect to close a deal to complete the purchase and transfer of ownership by mid-June of this year. … Read the rest

Decisions, Choices and Firm Determination

Ajahn VIradhammo offers reflection: “Having made the decision to observe the arising and cessation of resistance, we should make our choices accordingly and determine to abide by them. Wisdom informs effort, effort informs action, and action is in line with the Dhamma and no longer performed out of habit. Adhitthana will help maintain our decision, but should not entail a sense of non-forgiveness or excessive self-criticism.” (Talk given at Tisarana on 10-Jan-2017. Duration = 23:32)
… Read the rest

Anagarika Christopher

Ordination of a New Anagarika: On Jan 31, during the Uposatha observance evening, Luang Por Viradhammo gave the Anagarika precepts to Christopher Harnett, who has gone forth into the homeless life, wearing white. The Tisarana community welcomes Anagarika Christopher to the training!… Read the rest

Guided Meditation: Beyond Observing Resistance

“One step beyond observing sensations is observing the resistance that arises from sensations.”  Ajahn Viradhammo guides meditators in separating discomfort from resistance to discomfort, and in observing the energy and changing nature of resistance itself. (Talk given at Tisarana on 10-Jan-2017. Duration = 1:02:36)
… Read the rest