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.
Physical seclusion, mental seclusion, seclusion from people, unethical conduct, wrong view and defilements, and the relief and joy that comes from seclusion.
Techniques in the practice take many different forms. Some questions include how to work with grief after recent death of one's mother, how to deal with sloth and torpor, how to do walking meditation, etc.
Developing skill and sensitivity to life force energy or chi can support development on the path to awakening. Here are some reflections on how that might happen.
The introduction to the retreat with introductions, descriptions, taking refuges and precepts, and calling the devas. The Dhamma talk starts at 34 minutes.
Tonight we are entering the sanctuary of this amazing forest and beautiful buildings where so many people have come to practice over these many years. We are also entering the sanctuary of physical safety and security to be here together with everyone keeping precepts and holding the intention to practice well. We can feel the presence of the devas. And, we are entering the internal sanctuary of the heart.
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."
