David has been a monk for over 50 years. Creativity alone can sometimes be at cross purposes to itself, taking us away from our desired goals. So we need a form or structure that we can trust in to help guide us and be a refuge. Staying in the monastery plays a part in helping us develop still-awareness in an ever changing world. The space of the monastery reminds us of this refuge in change.
People come and go through it as thoughts and feelings go through awareness.
Awareness like the monastery remains, open, receptive, responsive to the changing energies and needs of the moment. The Vassa or Pansah, our three month retreat, this year lasting from the 5th of July until the 2nd of October, is designed to allow the community to delve deeper into their connection to this refuge. The Sangha take refuge in two ways, by making a commitment to stay within the monastery as much as possible in the Vassa and by having the opportunity to dedicate themselves to a quieter and more secluded time of contemplative practice. A community that one can trust in is an essential requisite in a spiritual life. It has been one of the ongoing efforts of this community in the past year to develop and enhance this precious quality of trust.