2 Daylong Retreats with Bhikkhuni Ayya Santacitta

The Four Protective Meditations –

Developing Courage to Meet the Way Things Truly Are

These four meditations are practices that brighten the mind and open it to our highest aspiration, while grounding us in our immediate experience of change.

The four meditations are:
• recollection of the Buddha
• metta meditation
• contemplation of the body
• refection on death

By nourishing and strengthening the heart and mind, and giving us courage to explore the true nature of embodied life, these meditations protect us from getting lost in hopes and fears, guiding us towards awakening.

Please bring a sack lunch and cushions if you wish to sit on the floor. Chairs will be provided.

Santacitta Bhikkhuni was born in Austria and did her graduate studies in Cultural Anthropology, focusing on dance, theatre and ritual. She also worked in avant-garde dance theatre as a performer and costume designer. In 1988 she met Ajahn Buddhadasa in southern Thailand, who sparked her interest in Buddhist monastic life. She trained as a nun in England and Asia from 1993 until 2009, primarily in the lineage of Ajahn Chah. Since 2002, she has also received teachings in the lineage of Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche.

Santacitta Bhikkhuni co-founded Aloka Vihara in 2009 and received Bhikkhuni Ordination in 2011. She is committed to Gaia as a living being and resides at Aloka Earth Room, currently located in San Rafael, CA.

Because the teachings are priceless this event is offered free of a registration fee.  However, in order to support our teacher in her ongoing work of spreading the Dharma and our organization in its work of offering the sanctuary of retreats and sitting groups to our community, there will be an opportunity to offer dana (a donation) in support of our activities.

In the spirit of lovingkindness and ethical behavior, Dharma Zephyr offers our updated health and COVID policy: DZIMC will follow all state and local mandates regarding Covid. In addition, for the safety and wellbeing of our community, Dharma Zephyr strongly encourages, but does not require, that participants at our activities and events be vaccinated and boosted for COVID. To care for all who attend our events, we ask that if you are sick (cold, cough, sore throat, runny nose, etc.) or have had a fever, vomiting or diarrhea in the 24 hours prior to an event, that you not attend.

The Four Protective Meditations –

Developing Courage to Meet the Way Things Truly Are

These four meditations are practices that brighten the mind and open it to our highest aspiration, while grounding us in our immediate experience of change.

The four meditations are:
• recollection of the Buddha
• metta meditation
• contemplation of the body
• refection on death

By nourishing and strengthening the heart and mind, and giving us courage to explore the true nature of embodied life, these meditations protect us from getting lost in hopes and fears, guiding us towards awakening.

Please bring a sack lunch and cushions if you wish to sit on the floor. Chairs will be provided.

Santacitta Bhikkhuni was born in Austria and did her graduate studies in Cultural Anthropology, focusing on dance, theatre and ritual. She also worked in avant-garde dance theatre as a performer and costume designer. In 1988 she met Ajahn Buddhadasa in southern Thailand, who sparked her interest in Buddhist monastic life. She trained as a nun in England and Asia from 1993 until 2009, primarily in the lineage of Ajahn Chah. Since 2002, she has also received teachings in the lineage of Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche.

Santacitta Bhikkhuni co-founded Aloka Vihara in 2009 and received Bhikkhuni Ordination in 2011. She is committed to Gaia as a living being and resides at Aloka Earth Room, currently located in San Rafael, CA.

Because the teachings are priceless this event is offered free of a registration fee.  However, in order to support our teacher in her ongoing work of spreading the Dharma and our organization in its work of offering the sanctuary of retreats and sitting groups to our community, there will be an opportunity to offer dana (a donation) in support of our activities.

In the spirit of lovingkindness and ethical behavior, Dharma Zephyr offers our updated health and COVID policy: DZIMC will follow all state and local mandates regarding Covid. In addition, for the safety and wellbeing of our community, Dharma Zephyr strongly encourages, but does not require, that participants at our activities and events be vaccinated and boosted for COVID. To care for all who attend our events, we ask that if you are sick (cold, cough, sore throat, runny nose, etc.) or have had a fever, vomiting or diarrhea in the 24 hours prior to an event, that you not attend.