Spring Dharma Updates
Hello friends—
I just finished teaching the March Monthlong retreat at Spirit Rock Meditation Center. Lots of rain, birds, deer, and deep Dharma practice.
It’s a time of tumult in the USA. The rise of fascism in our federal government with people being snatched off the street for free speech that makes them “enemies of the state”. Random tariffs causing chaos in the global economy (Sri Lanka, my ancestral home, was hit with 44% tariffs for no good reason). The vilification of transgender folks and immigrants. A constitutional crisis with the executive branch ignoring balance of powers. The ongoing war on Palestine with US military support. The decimation of government services in public health, national parks…and much more….
Perhaps you have been engaging in peaceful protest where you live. I was out in San Francisco this past Saturday at the Civic Center and encouraged by the numbers of people there (as well as the creative and excellent protest signs!). I was reminded of this research that it may take only 3.5% of the population engaging in peaceful protest and resistance to create social and political change. Your participation can be part of wise and courageous action that helps support a better world.
It is helpful to keep up your practice during these times, as a support for your own mind and to support those around you. Please join me in dharma practice sometime!
Wishing you peace and safety— Anushka
PS Here’s an Onion joke article citing the First Noble Truth in some way…. :)
Local Bay Area Events
I will be speaking locally in the next few months.
Apr 27 SF Insight Sunday Dharma Talk 6-7:30pm. 37 Bartlett St DF
May 3 Daylong at Santa Cruz Insight on Anatta. 10am-4:30pm
May 11 Sunday Dharma Talk and sitting IMC Redwood City 9:25-10:45am
May 19 Spirit Rock Monday sangha Online 6:30-8:30pm
June 22 Intro to Insight Meditation Daylong at Spirit Rock 10am-4pm
Nature Is Our Body: Dharma And Our Connection To Earth
I am excited to be teaching this retreat on the beautiful land at Spirit Rock Aug 11-16 2025 with two great co-teachers, Rev Shinmu Tamori Gibson (also a Zen priest) and Dawn Scott. We will be recognizing ourselves as part of nature through Buddhist practices. Please join us!
Other 2025 Retreats
June 6-8 Vancouver Insight Meditation Weekend, BCIMS
June 12-16 Vancouver LGBTQI+ Retreat, w Shelly Graf BCIMS
July 9-18, 18-27 Metta & Insight Meditation Retreat, w Tempel Smith. John Martin, Bonnie Duran, Kristina Bare Spirit Rock, CA
Aug 11-16 Nature is Our Body: Dharma and Our Connection to Earth Retreat, w Dawn Scott, Jozen Tamori Gibson, Spirit Rock, CA
Aug 29-Aug 31 Labor Day Retreat, w Pascal Auclair, IMS, MA
Sept 1-7 LGBTQ Retreat, w Pascal Auclair, IMS, MA
Sept 12-18 Gaia House UK CDL Program (by application) w Zohar Lavie, River Wolton
Nov 1-7 LGBTQI+ Retreat, w John Martin, bruni davila, Spirit Rock, CA
And for you planners for 2026:
March Monthlong March 2-28, Spirit Rock, CA
July Metta/Vipassana July 8-26, Spirit Rock, CA
Aug 14-20 The Path of Liberation: Insight Meditation and the Buddha's Early Teachings. Spirit Rock CA
Sept Labor Day Retreat & LGBTQI Retreat Insight Meditation Society, MA
Nov 1-6 LGBTQ Retreat, Spirit Rock, CA