 Greetings fellow practitioners, When I look back at the year 2019, for myself it was a very full and rich year. With the leading of a pilgrimage to India, followed by some intensive practice in Bodhgaya. Then throughout the year there was a big push to finish the Chedi construction and the many details, liaising and logistics that needed attending to with regards to this. There were also five visits from some of our most beloved Teachers and the special ceremonies which they led. I also made my first two visits to Sri Lanka and one to Nepal. Despite this being personally ‘the busiest year of my life thus far’ I did still however manage to share 17 new items at my website. There were 11 talks shared, one on Compassion, some from retreats, some from pilgrimage, some given at meditation centres, and my first teachings ever given in Sri Lanka, including a lengthy and detailed Q and A session. There are parts 2 and 3 of the ‘Developing Compassion’ series of Guided Meditations as well. I’ve also shared 4 slideshows. One of Pilgrimage and three pertaining to the Chedi construction and Relics Enshrining ceremonies. Indeed I have continued to share as much with you all as possible, as generously as I could, and this was all offered for free, as is everything at the site. Something which I often say while leading retreats, particularly towards the end. Is that it’s very important to try not to get too busy... and to make time for quiet reflection and practice. As I approach the ‘9 years of Anandagiri’ anniversary, I realise that I have been too busy and do in fact need to put some of my duties down. I don’t regret anything from the past years, in fact many dreams appear to have come true. But I must also now take my own advice. Outer activities must be balanced with formal practice and inner reflection. I never gave up on practice of course, it’s just that the many details of many projects have impinged more than is ideal. Ajahn Anando (of Amaravati and Temple monasteries) made a generous offer to give me a break and come and help take care of Anandagiri. I have taken him up on his kind offer. So I will be taking a 5 month break from being an abbot, a teacher, a building project manager, a social worker, a forest regeneration project manager and an internet guru as well! I’m not sure if it’s because of close kammic affinity or a curious form of mental illness? But I will be spending around 3 months of this time in Bodhgaya. Having now made the vow to complete another 1000 hours meditating under the Bodhi Tree. In all likelihood’s it won’t actually be that quiet! But there will be many less duties and much more time for formal practice. I will in fact already be sitting in Bodhgaya by the time this arrives in your inbox. (samsara permitting) I also plan to spend a more relaxing time in Patan, Kathmandu valley, and to climb Sri Pada (Adams Peak) in Sri Lanka as well. All the places that I plan to go are just a four hour flight to Thailand. So I’m not straying too far from home. I do indeed appreciate ancient spiritual centers and Holy Sites. My desire to share Dhamma with fellow practitioners remains strong however. So during this period a skilled editor in Melbourne will be working on editing three Dhamma books, which I hope to share at my website upon my return. One will be a collection of my ‘most listened to’ Dhamma Talks. Assuming that those are the ones which people find most useful. Another will be a more readable and concise version of my ‘3000 hours meditating under the Bodhi Tree’ journal. With a significant ‘Afterword’ pertaining to how we can embrace our life with more faith and energy for spiritual practice. The book will be titled ‘Life as a Sacred Pilgrimage.’ The third will be the journal which I wrote while leading my most recent full Pilgrimage to the Holy Sites, with excerpts from the sharing of the other pilgrims who joined in as well. People learn through different mediums. I believe that these books will be a useful addition to the website. And just as I will continue to dedicate merits to all beings kammicly connected to me whilst on my sabbatical leave. Your prayers and dedications for my physical safety and for success in the deepening of my own spiritual practice would be much appreciated. As well as for the smooth running of Anandagiri Forest Monastery. I do hope to return safely and to be able to share more with you all in a few months time. Wishing you all well! With Loving-Kindness Ajahn Achalo Bhikkhu Kathina talk 2019 – given the day before the Relic Enshrining Ceremony Greetings fellow practitioners, This years' Kathina ceremony, an annual robe offering ceremony initiated by Lord Buddha himself, occurred just one day before our Relic Enshrining ceremony and the placing of the Chedi Spire. This being the case it seemed a good occasion to offer a little background information to the Chedi building project to our large group of English speaking guests, as well as some more general encouragements for spiritual practice. It is indeed an interesting talk! A kind of 'classic Ajahn Achalo yarn' for the end of the year. For there are ghosts, devas, great masters with psychic powers, curious stories and synchronicities and thankfully a few quotes from the suttas as well! I trust that you may enjoy the talk. With metta and every best wish. Ajahn Achalo Bhikkhu  Greetings fellow practitioners Here is the talk which I gave under the Bodhi Tree in Bodhgaya recently. The talk starts at 44 minutes after a guided meditation. With metta - Ajahn Achalo Greetings Fellow Practitioners, I am happy to share with you on this occasion a slideshow which captures many beautiful images related to the finishing of the 'Bodhgaya-Ananda-Chedi' project. The visits of wonderful senior monks and meditation masters, the joy of large numbers of laypeople, the beauty of the reliquary and parasol themselves, as well as a visit from my dear old mother. Mike our closest neighbour here at Anandagiri has also produced a soundscape which incorporates some of the actual chanting which was recited on the occasions – some of these being traditional Thai forms. I trust that you will enjoy these glimpses into some rare and beautiful occasions, some lovely bright points within our often fraught with challenges lives. As well as the slideshow we also have some video footage presented very nicely as well, capturing the occasion from many different perspectives. May All Beings Be Well! With Loving-Kindness Ajahn Achalo Bhikkhu Guided Meditation – Level 3 – Advanced Greetings fellow practitioners, I am very happy to be able to share with you on this occasion another Guided Meditation. This guided Compassion Meditation is the 'Level 3 – Advanced Practice' in a three part series. Here we add a greater number of beings as well as more diverse classes of beings to our meditation. Including enemies, or harmful beings, and even beings in hell. It is important to have listened to the two-part 'Cultivating Deep and Vast Compassion' talk and to have worked through levels 1 and 2 of the meditation before undertaking this advanced practice. I am very confident however that if you follow all of the steps outlined in the talks and meditations diligently, you are sure to develop Great Compassion! I rejoice in your efforts and wish you every success! With Loving-Kindness Ajahn Achalo Bhikkhu |
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Collection 08 - Collection 09 - Archive - New Talks & Meditations - Questions & Answers - Devotional Chanting - Formal Pali Chanting - Galleries - India Pilgrimage Gallery - An Experience Shared - Alms-round Gallery - Photo Album - Video - Dhamma Books - Anandagiri - Chedi Project - Chedi Development - Chedi Slideshow - Final Relic Enshrining - Chedi Article - Monastery Symbol - Support Anandagiri - The Forest Sangha - Enquiry Form - Subscribe Updates
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