Autumn is here already

Painting samadhi

This week there is little to report from the hilltop, but things are moving on steadily with the meditation room and the redecoration of Kusala House. The radiators are now installed, the painting of the store room is finished, and today we begin painting the lobby area.

Ajahn Abhinando is now pretty much fully recovered; well enough, in fact, to go to Scotland for a few days and teach at the Edinburgh and Glasgow groups with Tan Hiriko. He is unable to reply individually due to the sheer numbers, but he expresses his gratitude to all those who sent him cards and letters of support during the time he was in hospital and while he was convalescing. They were very much appreciated.

Finally, Anagarika Sebastian is soon to take up the ochre robes when he receives the Going Forth (Pabbajjā) and becomes a Sāmanera. The ordination will take place on Saturday 4th October, and everyone is welcome to attend. Michael Knabe will inherit Sebastian's whites when he takes anagarika precepts on the full moon day of Sunday 14th September.

White on white

Anagarika Sebastian painting
the new Kusala House Meditation Room

Kusala house has been the centre of our activity this week. More work has been done on the meditation room-to-be, with Tan Hiriko and Samanera Visuddhi insulating and damp-proofing the wall underneath the step, and Andrew filling cracks and doing repairs around the building. The store room has finally been prepared for painting, thanks to Anagarika Sebastian and our guest Michael, while upstairs is currently getting a new coat of paint and is looking all the fresher for it.

Our friend and supporter Geoff Jackson has begun work on what will soon become the sliding doors and wall panelling, and discussions are afoot to decide upon some of the final, important details, such as how to arrange the curtains, and what kind of door handles to opt for.

On a different note, the Sangha picnic went very well, and we all spent a warm and enjoyable day at Penny and Nick's lovely cottage. 15 or so people came, sat and talked outside in the sun before we all went our separate ways in the late afternoon. Anumodana to all who contributed.

Both Ajahn Abhinando and Tan Nyanamoli's mothers have joined us for the next week or so, and Visakha is presently making the most of her final week at the monastery by spending time in quiet reflection whenever possible.

UPDATE - Ajahn Abhinando is so well recovered that he has offered to chant the patimokkha on the newmoon day, 30th August.

Back into Action

Rolf with his handiwork at Kusala House



After 2 weeks of sedentary practice, the community is back into action, bringing practice into daily life once more. The meditation room at Kusala House has been the recipient of quite some attention- the walls have now been sanded down and ready for the first coat of paint, the windowsills were fitted yesterday, and our artist/craftsman friend Rolf Wojciechowski built a new base for the beautiful Burmese shrine which will be the centrepiece of the finished room.

The roofing felt has been finished on the tool shed, now packed to the rafters following the store room clearout which has taken us the last two days. There's been a good sense of community spirit and co-operation throughout, and now we're all looking forward to the Sangha picnic on Sunday, when we can enjoy the lovely surroundings of the Cheviots and kalyanamitta. We hope to see you all there.

Silent week

English summer flowers

(taken by a Norwegian in West Sussex).

Saturday saw the end of our annual summer lay retreat, and it seems that everybody had a valuable experience. The spirit of co-operation was laudable and we hope to see everybody back next year. Anumodana for the generosity of those who donated food, those involved in the organisation and to everyone working in the kitchen, some of whom were busy with preparation and cooking from before breakfast until 9pm. Outstanding.

This week the monastic community is holding a silent week, a time when we can make a more focussed dedication to our formal practice. Some people will be concentrating on memorising chanting, while others make more time for Sutta/ Vinaya study. The rain is keeping us away from the walking paths but at least it's keeping the garden healthy.

Work has begun on the plastering of Kusala House meditation room - the final stage before completion of the building. It only took us 7 years which is not bad for us. There is still the little job of installing sliding doors in the block-wall as the entrance into the meditation room. And there will of course be some painting work to do in case you like painting parties (contact the workmonk).

Calm and Contemplation

Summer retreat underway



Things are outwardly very still here as Harnham holds its annual summer retreat. The community is joined by 24 participants from around Britain and Europe all diligently and sincerely applying themselves to the nurturing of calm and contemplation. The noble silence permeates throughout the monastery, even in the kitchen where volunteers are providing the daily sustenance for all the retreatants.
Ajahn Abhinando could not make it to any of the formal sittings but tells us he is with us "in spirit", and has occasionally paced up and down the path to his kuti in walking meditation when the weather has permitted.
The retreat ends on Saturday morning, giving the residents a couple of days to catch up on work, before our monastic silent week commences on Sunday night, after puja.