The Saranaloka Foundation is organizing a 5 Day New Year's Monastic retreat down in the Los Altos Hills. I believe the retreat is open to anyone who is interested and is being offered on a dana basis. This retreat presents a rare opportunity - rare because 1) there are very few Buddhist nuns in the world; 2) there are even fewer who have undergone the level and duration of training as Ajahns Thanasanti, Anandabodhi and Santacitta (all have been in robes for at least 10 years, Ajahn Thanasanti was ordained in 1993); 3) there are (as of yet) no Theravadan monastic centers in North America dedicated exclusively to training nun; 4) organized intensive monastic retreats of this kind happen infrequently - if you simply visit a monastery you normally wouldn't enjoy the same degree of structure and support).
So Juliann and I are signed up. We attended a monastic retreat with the monks of Abhayagiri (ie monks in the same lineage as the nuns) several years ago after having practiced more or less exclusively in the Goenka tradition. In short it was great. Not only was the contact with the monks very inspiring and helpful, but also attending the retreat really enhanced my understanding of the Buddhist practice as a whole. So we'll see how it goes this time for us. As for you, if you're willing to explore some of the lesser known regions of your own mind, I think you'll be amazed by what you find. One thing I can guarantee you is this: it won't be how you imagine it. So come and join us if you feel inclined.
New Year's Retreat Info
http://www.saranaloka.org/schedules/retreatinfo_dec_08.html
Other retreats
http://www.saranaloka.org/retreats.html
