Two Wings of Mettā: A Daylong Retreat on Compassion & Joy with Ajahn Nisabho & Ayyā Ahimsa (In-Person in Spokane)

Join Ajahn Nisabho and Ayyā Ahiṃsā for a day of meditation and teachings, 9 am – 5 pm on Saturday, July 5th, at Harmony Woods Retreat Center outside of Spokane, WA (11507 S Keeney Rd, Spokane, WA). Note that Clear Mountain’s weekly Saturday gathering in Seattle will still be held as usual.

The Buddha encouraged us to brighten the mind through meditating on the four Divine Abodes (brahmavihāras) of loving-kindness (mettā), compassion (karuṇā), empathetic joy (muditā), and equanimity (upekkhā). By focusing on the two supplementary qualities of compassion—the heart’s response to others’ suffering—and empathetic joy—its response to others’ happiness, we broaden our capacity to meet all circumstances, internal and external, with love. Feel free to contact Mary Webster with any questions at marylaya1@comcast.net. May all beings be well!

Register

Schedule
9 – 10 am: Brief welcome, introduction, & guided meditation.
10 – 10:30 am: Dhamma talk
10:30 – 11:30 am: Sitting & walking meditation
11:30 am – 12:30 pm: Sack lunch
12:30 – 1 pm: Rest/ free time
1 – 2 pm: Guided meditation and Q&A
2 – 3:30: Walking & sitting meditation (and individual interviews)
3:30 – 4 pm: Dhamma Talk
4 – 4:30 pm: Walking & sitting meditation (and individual interviews)
4:30 – 5 pm: Closing comments, and spreading blessings
5 – 6 pm: Informal Teatime, clean-up, and general hobnobbing with old and new friends!

Meal (Individual sack lunch)
To keep the event simple, the retreat will not feature a potluck this year. Participants are invited to bring a sack lunch, and they may still offer food for the monastics’ meal at the start of the lunch break

What to Bring
– A meditation cushion (some spare cushions and chairs are available for sitting at the venue)
– A blanket if you get chilly sitting still
– A sack lunch
– A sun hat and sunscreen for outdoor walking meditation
– Your intention to practice in community!

Donations
All teachings are offered completely free of charge. However, those who feel inspired to help support Harmony Woods in offering the retreat may do so on their website. Additionally, those who wish to contribute towards Clear Mountain may do so by visiting the Friends of Clear Mountain website. Such contributions help support future offerings and the growth of Dhamma. 

Biographies
Ajahn Nisabho
After finishing college in 2012, Ajahn Nisabho left his native Washington to go forth as a Buddhist monk in Thailand. He received full ordination the following spring under Ajahn Anan, a senior disciple of renowned meditation master, Ajahn Chah, and spent the following years training in forest monasteries around the world with contemporary masters such as Ajahn Anan, Ajahn Pasanno, and Ajahn Jayasaro. Over these years, he came to believe the tradition represented a faithful embodiment of the original Buddhist path able to yield great fruit even amidst the complexities of modern life. In the summer of 2021, he returned to Seattle to plant the first seeds of Clear Mountain Monastery.

Ayyā Ahiṃsā
Ayyā Ahiṃsā took Anagarika Precepts in January 2012 and then Samaneri Precepts in 2013 with Ayya Medhanandi at Sati Saraniya Hermitage. In 2016 she joined the nuns’ community at Aloka Vihara and was given Bhikkhuni Ordination in 2017 with Ayya Gunasari Theri as her preceptor. Since 2022 Ayya Ahimsa has had Beth Upton as her meditation teacher.