Greetings

[Jauho1979]

Reading the description of the house and the natural surrounding environment I thought to myself, "This is just awesome!!".

I think this could be the beginning of some really, really good things for Jhananda and GWV.  I think if we all could chip in some money (myself included) then we could definitely make things go faster/smoother.

[DDawson]

I'm willing to chip in the house, rent free but things can sound better than the really are.  Try searching 204 nelson street Mitchell Oregon and you should find a site with the picture of the house.  It is far away from Arizona.  I hope its not too far away for everyone.  I am glad, though, that your interested and I might find a good use for the place.

[Jhanananda]

Thanks, DDawson, it sounds very nice.  I will have to do a lot of work on my van before I will trust it on a long highway trip.

[DDawson]

I'm heading out on my trip north tomorrow and will be in Mitchell on the 25th.  I'm curious to see how it has fared the last 2 years since I've been up there.  It looks like the house next door was renovated recently and is up for sale.  You can see the pictures on Zillow for Mitchell, Oregon.  It's address is 208 Nelson street.  It appears for this to work, firstly we need to know if this is something we really want and then make plans to budget for a dependable car that can travel over Ochoco pass in the winter.  Prineville is a nice town with all the different stores that make shopping easy and cheaper.  What I think is nice about this area of Oregon is that its near all kinds of nature, from desert to the cascade's and even though this town is economically depressed, there are wealthier upscale towns nearby, if that's your preference.  At least they're close enough to visit.  Bend and Sisters for example.  Well, we'll see how things unfold.

[Jhanananda]

Thank-you, DDawson, for your continued interest in me house sitting for you. 

I just got my van back on the road yesterday, but it is still quite sick with one or more lazy hydraulic lifters.  The plan is with frequent oil changes and engine flushes that the crud that is causing the lifters to malfunction will be flushed out, so they will start working again.  However, for now the engine is gutless, and can only be used to drive a few miles around this small town.  It also still leaks oil badly, so taking it on a long trip is not likely a wise choice.

So, it does seem time to replace the old van.  A tow truck driver who towed my van about 2 months ago told me about a mechanic in the area who has been rehabing Jeep Cherokees with Mercedes diesel engines from the 80s.  While that all sounds ancient history it could be the ideal vehicle to negotiate the high mountains of the inter-mountain Southwestern USA, such as Ochoco pass in the winter. And, it will get 45 mpg, so it could make driving long distances affordable; and being diesel means I can make my own fuel for it.

[DDawson]

Hello Jhanananda,

I returned a couple of days ago from my trip north and here are a few impressions I had.  Prineville is still a nice town.  The drive from Prineville over the pass to Mitchell is very beautiful but for a recent forest fire on the Mitchell side of the pass.  The Ochoco national forest wasn't badly damaged and is still inviting with large trees and very green.  Mitchell, on the other hand is in a very western desert landscape with picturesque mountains and rock formations.  Really, a lot of diversity.  The Town of Mitchell is very old and tired looking, which I think attracts the tourists.  My personal impression is that it is a nice place to visit, but would I want to live there?  I say this because I don't want to lead you into something and feel like I've misled you.  While we were there, I met an older German woman and her handyman builder when we stopped to investigate a couple of brightly painted buildings and stunning gardens.  A garage in this compound had a sign "art and meditation".  I think they were turning it into a meditation hall?  Well, whatever, she was definitely into art and the painted hills.  Her website is www.paintehillsvacation.com.  I was able to put a laminate floor in the living room of my house and plan to do more work there in a couple of weeks, I hope.  I might even hire the handyman to paint the outside.  With no one living next door and all the other houses nearby empty, It's very quiet and feels like your in the country even though a couple of blocks down the road the town people and tourist are hanging out visiting.  A rather striking change.  If you look on Mitchell Oregon facebook, you'll find an article about Wheeler county and Mitchell that I thinks was printed in the Atlantic Monthly.  This might give you a better sense of the place and if it appears circumstances won't allow you to check out the place this summer, that O.K.  These ideas are just possibilities, not obligations.

[Jhanananda]

Thank-you, DDawson, for posting more about your home in Michell, OR.  I have to be realistic about my van.  While it continues to improve, it is no where able to make a long trip, and I doubt seriously it ever would without a rebuilt engine, which I think would be a waste of money.  So, let us just keep this as an option when a more reliable vehicle comes my way.

[Cal]

Mitchell, OR is only a couple hours from me Jhananda. Please, if you do decide to come this way, let me know. You're always welcome in my home as well.

[Jhanananda]

Thank-you, Cal.  I would like to visit, to see how it goes there, and to visit you as well, but my health and finances are not good.  I plan to look into a local home for the old soon, which would be free to me.

[DDawson]

Here's what I was thinking.  To create a welcoming resource center for people who want to delve into meditation and Samadhi in particular.  It should be based on the Buddha's noble eightfold path but include everyone.  It shouldn't be a financial burden on anyone,  therefore we can cobble it together with the resources at hand.  Homelessness (camping and being out in nature) should be worked into the program.  It's true, some ones got to run this thing, which might be a burden.  If this isn't the time or the place, next year I might be able to invite people to a different place I have in mind.  I'll try and organize things the best I can.  Talk about it at the retreat and see if you can think up a plan.  I think Sariputta once had an epiphany that half of the path was associating with the lovely and the Buddha responded it was the whole of the path.  I think if we are on our best behavior and give moral and maybe even financial support at times, we can do something good for ourselves and others.  Think about it.

[Jhanananda]

Here's what I was thinking.  To create a welcoming resource center for people who want to delve into meditation and Samadhi in particular.  It should be based on the Buddha's noble eightfold path but include everyone.  It shouldn't be a financial burden on anyone,  therefore we can cobble it together with the resources at hand.  Homelessness (camping and being out in nature) should be worked into the program. 

Yes, I agree, and it has been my work to provide a community space for those who aspire to develop the 8 stages of samadhi, by offering wilderness retreats.  It is also a way of making it not a financial burden on anyone, other than the cost of taking time off from work, travel expenses, and investment in camping gear.

It's true, some ones got to run this thing, which might be a burden. 

Yes, running the GWV on its slim budget has been quite a burden, but I find retirement boring anyway, and I find dialog with inspired contemplatives a fulfilling occupation in my old age.

If this isn't the time or the place, next year I might be able to invite people to a different place I have in mind.  I'll try and organize things the best I can.  Talk about it at the retreat and see if you can think up a plan. 

Yes, at the GWV retreats we tend to spend some time discussing ways to make the contemplative life workable, and formalizing the GWV.

I think Sariputta once had an epiphany that half of the path was associating with the lovely and the Buddha responded it was the whole of the path.  I think if we are on our best behavior and give moral and maybe even financial support at times, we can do something good for ourselves and others.  Think about it.

I am not sure what the term the "lovely" is a translation of.  I am going to guess that it is an unsuccessful translation of the terms 'jhana,' or 'piti' or 'sukha.'  So, I would say associating with those who have become saturated in the 8 stages of samadhi, or becoming saturated in the 8 stages of samadhi is the whole of the path; because the 8th fold of the Noble Eightfold Path is samadhi; and without samadhi there is no liberation (vimokha).

[Sam Lim]

I hope there will be a time I could attend a retreat with all you guys. This is one of my DESIRE. LOL

[Jhanananda]

Yes, I would like to see you in person one day, and what better way than have you join us in retreat.

[DDawson]

Hello everyone,

I was surfing the web and noticed that ajahn sona of the birken forest monastery was planning a jhana retreat.  I met him a few times when he would come down to Abhayagiri and I think this might indicate a change of attitudes from the Ajahn Chah followers.  Jhana was a forbidden topic while I was there even though it was clear they knew what it was.  Best wishes to you ajahn sona.