Ayya Santussika, in residence at Karuna Buddhist Vihara (Compassion Monastery), spent five years as an anagarika (eight-precept nun), then ordained as a samaneri (ten-precept nun) in 2010 and as a bhikkhuni (311 rules) in 2012 at Dharma Vijaya Buddhist Vihara in Los Angeles.
Ayya Santussika was born in Illinos in 1954 and grew up on a farm in Indiana. While being a single mother, she received BS and MS degrees in computer science and moved with her two children to the San Francisco Bay Area. She worked as a software designer and developer for fifteen years. Her search for deeper meaning and ways to be of service led her to train as an interfaith minister in a four-year seminary program that culminated in an Masters of Divinity degree and a brief period of practice as a minister before ordaining as a Buddhist nun. She is currently serving on the Board of Directors for Buddhist Global Relief.
Sound of Silence, tranquility and equanimity, not-self, for goodness sake, samadhi sensations, letting go in meditation, realizing Nibbana and sticking around afterwards.
A reflection on the teaching of Ajahn Ganha:
"We have to do good for the sake of goodness. We observe the precepts for the sake of keeping precepts. When we practice samadhi meditation, we practice for the sake of meditation. When we cultivate our wisdom, it is just for the sake of cultivating the wisdom. Then we can gain the peacefulness of mind and wisdom at the same time."
Readings from "Stillness Flowing" (biography of Ajahn Chah by Ajahn Jayasaro) describing practicing with the three characteristics for insight into the true nature of reality ('Beyond the Monkey' pgs. 375-379) and how it takes us to the end of the path.
Observing phenomena in light of the three characteristics of existence: impermanence, unsatisfactoriness and not-self and the arising of wisdom as described by Ajahn Chah.
Readings from "Stillness Flowing" - pages 201, 373-374, 534-535
Guided meditation (following Chi Gong practice) beginning at the root chakra paired with mindfulness, traveling up through the chakras and awakening factors for visualization and investigation.
