Running for it

I'm just coming up to the last few days before my first half marathon - the Great North Run on October 5th. Unfortunately I've had a cold over the last week so haven't done much last-minute training but I'm hoping to pull a few extra miles out of the bag on the day. I'm also hoping to raise some money for the bursary fund here at Tiratanaloka, which is used to give financial help to women to come here on retreat. If you'd like to sponsor me you can do so online here. If you've already sponsored me then a big thanks - it's the thought of that money that has stopped me backing out a few times!!! I'll let you know how it goes.
It's wet and windy today so I get a chance to wear my new showerproof, windproof running top at last!
Candraprabha

A goodbye

On 17th September we very sadly waved goodbye to Vajradarshini, who has left Tiratanaloka after almost 6 years to live in Spain with Padmadharini.  During her last week we had an outing to the circus (preceded by a darts match in which she pulled off an astounding finishing throw) and an evening of charades which included items being acted out by a small kangaroo.  Life is certainly varied and fascinating!!  The good news is that Vajradarshini will be running retreats at various venues over the next year - you can see what she's up to on her website.  We'll miss her.

Amritamati joins the team!

The newest member of our team, Amritamati, arrived in June and has been on retreat almost constantly since then! You'll be able to find out more about her on our website soon, but in the meantime, here's what she has to say about her move to Tiratanaloka so far:-

"I joined the team here at the beginning of June, having left my job as a mental health nurse for older adults a few weeks earlier. I’ve lived in London since 1986 (on and off) and so it’s been quite a move coming to the countryside of Wales, the rain, the sheep and the relative quiet. ..I say ‘relative’ as there is the constant sound of the river, the birds, the rain (much of the time) and the occasional RAF jet zooming down the valley. So far I love it.

Vajradarshini will be leaving in a couple of weeks and I will replacing her...at least her spot on the team. I think her Wabi Sabi vibrant energy will not be easily replaced. So, I’m in a period of being ‘trained up’, being in groups with various members of the team and learning the ropes, from the material we study to driving the lawnmower, from ordering food to tackling the computer. I’ve dived in with two Transcendental Principle retreats and the Reflections on Reality retreat too. The retreats have been very enjoyable and I find myself often thinking how blessed I am to be living here. It’s a full-on way to live, but I couldn’t wish to be doing anything other at the moment. It’s been great meeting the women who come here too and I look forward to getting to know more of you over the years."