Dear Friends
During the past year we have been focusing on some changes at the Hermitage, in particular looking at how we can all relate to the Hermitage as a sacred space, a place of practice where we all help to keep the vigil and deepen our practice.
In my last sangha newsletter I shared an update on changes happening at the Hermitage, with a renewed focus on how the Sangha as a whole can relate to the Hermitage with a sense of collective responsibility.
The Hermitage is entering into a quiet period for the winter after which we would love for people to come and keep that sense of vigil going, either through solitary personal retreats, events, joining group or work retreats etc…but we'd also would like to offer further opportunities to support the Hermitage and deepen your practice.
We are currently accepting applications for two roles:
- Hermitage Stewards - supporting the practice community
- Lamas’ Attendant - supporting Lama Shenpen
Hermitage Stewards - Sangha members are warmly invited to apply to spend a period of one year residing and practising at the Hermitage as stewards of the sacred space - vigil keepers who help to support and empower the regular puja offerings that are core to our daily collective practice as a sangha.
Hermitage Stewards will work with the Hermitage Manager, help tend to the day-to-day care of the place and develop a knowledge that can support other sangha members to find their way around the site when undertaking retreat.
The role
The primary focus of the role will be to keep the vigil of practice and to support others to do the same.
- Help to hold the practice mandala at the Hermitage
- Support day-to-day running of the place
- Support retreatants and visitors to find their way around
Opportunities
- Spend a year going deeper into your practice
- Spiritual guidance from Lama Dashon
- Join group retreats taking place at the Hermitage
- Strengthen connections with sangha members spending time at the Hermitage
If you are unable to commit to a year as a Steward of the Hermitage, shorter semi-retreat stays, fulfilling a similar role, are also possible - please email [email protected]ku.gro.sha@egatimreh to find out more.
Lamas’ Attendant - Sangha members are warmly invited to apply to spend a period of one year residing and practising at the Hermitage as attendant to Lama Shenpen.
The role
The teacher’s attendant will work with Mebar to help support the Lamas’ day-to-day needs and to help to keep the vigil of practice at the Hermitage.
- Join those living and practising at the Hermitage in semi-retreat, with a focus on supporting the day-to-day needs for Lama Shenpen.
- Attend guests of Lama Shenpen visiting the Hermitage
- Help to hold the daily practice mandala at the Hermitage
- Must be able to drive.
- Must have a sense of commitment to Lama Shenpen as the centre of the AHS mandala and lineage
Opportunities
- Spend a year going deeper into your practice
- Spiritual guidance from Lama Dashon and occasional conversation with Lama Shenpen
- A more intimate and personal relationship with the teachers
- Strengthen connections with sangha members spending time at the Hermitage
You can find more information on both of these roles and the ethos of the service to the sangha here
If you’d like to have an informal conversation with me then please email [email protected]ku.gro.sha@rabem .