Revised Bookings Policies during Ajahn Sona's Year-Long Retreat

[Birken Forest Monastery]

Dear Friends,

Warmest greetings from Birken Forest Monastery (‘Sitavana’).  As we wind down our annual Winter Retreat and prepare for Ajahn Sona’s year-long solitary retreat, we wanted to inform you of a few pieces of news: 

1.  Website Rebirth:
The Birken website has been reborn with a streamlined design.  Check it out at: http://birken.ca  We hope this new design will make it easier for you to locate key information.  See the main drop-down menu at the top of the homepage for links to all pages on the site.  If you have any problems locating information or navigating through the site, please email us to let us know.

2.  Booking a Visit before Ajahn Sona’s Entry into Solitary Retreat
(March 27 – April 5, 2013):
The monastery is currently closed for Winter Retreat until March 27, 2013.  Day visits will be permitted during the period of March 27^th – April 5^th (only).  Those who have spent extensive time at Birken in the past and wish to see Ajahn Sona before he enters his retreat on April 5^th may also apply to stay overnight on a Personal Retreat during this period (see the ‘Book a Visit’ page on our website for details on how to register for a visit).  If you have not been to Birken in the past, we would invite you for a visit after April 2014, when we will return to our regular schedule. 

3.  April 5^th Pot-luck Dana Meal Offering: 
Anyone who wishes to visit the monastery on April 5th (Ajahn Sona's birthday and the day he will start his year-long solitary retreat) is welcome to bring a dish for a pot-luck dana meal offering at 11:00am.  Please email us by April 1st if you plan to be here on that day.

4.  Revised Bookings Policies during Ajahn Sona’s Year-Long Solitary Retreat
(April 5, 2013 – April 5, 2014): 
During the period of Ajahn Sona’s year-long solitary retreat, Birken will be operating a bit differently than usual.  Ajahn Sona will be in complete silence and seclusion throughout this year-long period and will not, under any circumstance, be available for any teaching activities or other interactions with the resident community or visiting guests.  There will be no formal teaching, interviews or teatime talks at the monastery throughout this period.  Birken will remain open to some visitors who have already been to Birken for extended stays in the past.  The year will be a quiet one designed particularly for self-motivated, experienced meditators who are looking for time to deepen their personal practice and support Ajahn's retreat.  We kindly ask that all visitors take special care to respect Ajahn Sona’s silence and seclusion at all times; if you happen to see him around the monastery or grounds, please kindly avoid all contact as a gesture of respect. 

Please consult the 'Book a Visit' page for detailed information on our revised bookings policies for this year and information on how to register for a visit.  If you have not been to Birken in the past, we would invite you for a visit after April 2014, when we will return to our regular schedule. 

Please don’t hesitate to contact us if you have any questions. We wish you a very peaceful and joyous year ahead!

Metta wishes,

Birken Forest Monastery ('Sitavana')
medi...@birken.ca | http://birken.ca
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