HOW?

How am I able to do this logistically?

Safely: I was happy to visit Loretto in early October 2018 and Windridge Solitude May 2019 and to see the conditions I will live with for three years. This is not the rugged landscape of Sudarshanaloka at all, but rather rolling hills, meadows, dense forest with a high canopy that means bushwhacking is possible without supplejack tangles to trip me up. I feel confident that even with three broken ankles in the past, and numb feet I will be fine walking the trails and dirt roads. And, there is community nearby.

Emotionally: Doing a 1095 day retreat in silence, alone, is a hard thing. I know this very well. The one way I could do it in 2014-2015 was with your help and support and I ask for that again. Just ‘re–membering’ me helps and I feel it!  I have the support of an experienced Order member from the UK, Kamalashila, who can be in touch occasionally,  as needed. Being away for three years means I can’t easily keep up with your daily life however, I’m here, with you, if you want. I welcome your support emotionally and offer you my support as well.

Kiranada, July 2019–June 30, 2020
Cedars of Peace
515 Nerinx Road, Nerinx KY 40049

Kiranada, July 2020–June 30 2022
Windridge Solitude
1932 West Linda Lane
Lonedell, MO 63060

Food-Wise: In Kentucky I was happy to find a big Kroger’s grocery store 16 miles away that stocks many of my vegetarian needs. I hope to carry in some of the Japanese dried foods (noodles, mushrooms, tofu) that I enjoy cooking with. I will do a big shop at the beginning  when I arrive, buying pounds of dried goods: rice, oatmeal, beans, dried fruit, nuts etc. It will be a luxury to have electricity this time and a working refrigerator to keep food beyond a few days at both locations. The community will shop for me weekly and leave it in a box, on the road that I will retrieve and back-pack in. I do hope to grow some greens if possible. I will again sprout beans as well as celery, green onions and romaine in water from stubs and be as self-sufficient as I am able.

Financially: Taking three years off for solitary retreat, not working, not teaching workshops or lecturing, pushes me into real ‘retirement’ without much savings or a pension. It’s exciting. My costs are somewhat less for this year solitary since it is within the USA however, I will need to pay for all my food and monthly lodging. In addition, I have this unfinished cottage in Kingston to maintain with property taxes and insurance and an old car that I hope to keep running and insured. Already, friends have stepped forward and made some generous donations of support. As they say, if I ‘made it easy,’ they feel many others would want to be part of this three-year adventure by donating to my air, housing, food costs or . . . bird seed! I thank you deeply for your support. In 2014 it was quite lovely to share a designated week of meals with you and remember who was ‘housing me’ for that specific week or who shared my birthday meal. You are truly with me in so many ways. With gratitude I put hands together, and bow. /ll\