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.
