Issue 45: Retreat with Than Ajaan Geoff Postponed (Sept 12–13)

Dear Dhamma Friends,

We're writing to let you know that the weekend retreat with Than Ajaan Geoff, originally scheduled for September 12–13 in Victoria, has been postponed. Than Ajaan is dealing with some health issues and is unable to travel or teach at this time.

We're hopeful the retreat can be rescheduled once he has recovered, and we'll share details as soon as we have them.

If you registered for the retreat, you should have already received a message from the organizers with information about your registration. If you have any questions, please reach out to vims1retreat@gmail.com.

Please join us in sending Than Ajaan Geoff metta for a smooth and full recovery.

Other questions? Send us an email: info@aranyarefuge.org 

Anumodana for supporting the Buddha, Dhamma, and Sangha to take roots in a wilderness home on Vancouver Island.

Aranya Refuge Board of Directors: Than Ajaan Geoff, Brock Brown, Jacqui Balfour, Russ Callaghan, Irfan Pirbhai, Tiara Letourneau, Kiko Brown, June Fukushima (in loving memory)

Issue 44: Weekend Retreat with Than Ajaan Geoff in Victoria (Sept 12–13) + Community News

Dear Dhamma Friends,

We're pleased to invite you to attend a weekend retreat with Than Ajaan Geoff, abbot of Metta Forest Monastery (Wat Metta) in San Diego county.

Than Ajaan will be offering teachings in person and via Zoom during his visit to Victoria, BC. These teachings are freely offered, and are co-sponsored by Aranya Refuge and the Victoria Insight Meditation Society (VIMS).

☸️ Weekend Retreat: A Path Rooted in Desire

  • Saturday, September 12th & Sunday, September 13th, 2026

  • 9am–4pm PT

  • Goward House, Victoria, BC, Canada + Zoom (Hybrid Event)

📝 Description

All phenomena are rooted in desire, the Buddha said. This includes all things skillful and unskillful, and even the path to awakening. Contrary to a popular misconception, not all desires get in the way of the path.

This weekend retreat — through talks, readings, meditations, and discussions — will focus on the positive role of desire on the path to awakening, and on how skillful desires can be developed and given power in the heart and mind.

📖 Reading Materials

Than Ajaan Geoff has prepared readings for the retreat: A Path Rooted in Desire (2026)

🗓️ Registering

  • Online: Click here to register for attending online via Zoom. After registering, you will receive the Zoom link and full instructions.

  • In Person: Click here to register for attending in person in Victoria, BC. Space is limited.

📧 Contact vims1retreat@gmail.com if you have questions about your registration.

About the Teacher

Ṭhānissaro Bhikkhu (Geoffrey DeGraff) has been a Theravada Buddhist monk since 1976. After studying in Thailand with Ajaan Fuang Jotiko, he returned to the US in 1991 to help found Metta Forest Monastery (Wat Metta) in the mountains north of San Diego. In 1993, Than Ajaan Geoff was asked to be the abbot, and has continued to train monastics and offer teachings to lay people in North America, South America, Asia, and Europe. Than Ajaan Geoff is a highly respected scholar and practitioner of the Buddha's teachings. His many recorded talks and writings can be found here.

The teachings of the Buddha are offered freely.

📅 Community News

🌳 The Rains Retreat Has Begun

Monastics have entered the vassa, the traditional three-month rains retreat observed each year. For Than Ajaan Geoff, this is his 50th vassa since ordination.

🪭 Royal Ecclesiastical Appointment for Than Ajaan Geoff

On July 23, in honor of Queen Suthida's birthday, His Majesty King Maha Vajiralongkorn bestowed a Royal Ecclesiastical Appointment on Than Ajaan Geoff, presented in a ceremony at Wat Metta by a representative of the Supreme Patriarch of Thailand. Royal ecclesiastical titles mark a monk's standing within Thailand's monastic hierarchy, and are traditionally presented along with a ceremonial fan (a symbol of rank carried by monks holding such titles) and a set of robes.

Than Ajaan Geoff's new title, Phra Rājavajrabhāvanācariya, incorporates Vajra ("diamond" or "thunderbolt," a term tied to King Rama X's name and given to monks receiving royal appointments during his reign) and translates roughly as "The Venerable Royal Master of Meditation." Watch the ceremony here. Anumodana!

🙇 Ordination of Bruno Barrera Yever

Bruno Barrera Yever (now, Than Bruno) was ordained at Wat Metta on July 25. Watch the ceremony here. Anumodana!

🏞️ Taan Mike in Squamish and Salt Spring, BC

From late May through late July, Taan Mike stayed in Squamish (a mountain town north of Vancouver) and on Salt Spring Island (in the Gulf Islands, between Vancouver Island and the mainland). His time included daily sits and mountaintop meditation, with over 50 unique visitors coming out in Squamish, and a day-long retreat on Salt Spring that drew over 20 participants. He made lots of friends in Canada during the trip. Anumodana to all who supported his visit.

🪔 Than Ajaan Geoff's 50th Ordination Anniversary — November 2026

A number of occasions are being organized to celebrate 50 years since Than Ajaan Geoff's ordination:

  • November 1: A ceremony at Wat Metta in conjunction with the Kathina (the annual robe-offering ceremony marking the end of the rains retreat).

  • November 6–8: A weekend of teachings and meditation at Portland Friends of the Dhamma, including a full daylong retreat on November 7 (the anniversary date itself). Zoom available for some sessions. Details here.

  • November 7: A Zoom meditation session with the monks at Wat Metta. 

A small group of students has also been exploring ways to mark the occasion through collective practice, as part of Paṭipatti Pūjā (paying homage through practice):

  • A collective 50-hour meditation pledge — one dedicated hour for each year of his ordination — in the weeks leading up to the anniversary. Track your pledge on the meditation tracker. For those continuing beyond 50 hours, additional meditation offerings for Than Ajaan can be recorded anonymously here. Anumodana to Iván M. and Suganya for creating these apps.

  • A multi-day Zoom meditation gathering among students across groups.

All are warmly encouraged to join.

📚 New from Dhammatalks.org

Questions? Send us an email: info@aranyarefuge.org 

Anumodana for supporting the Buddha, Dhamma, and Sangha to take roots in a wilderness home on Vancouver Island.

Aranya Refuge Board of Directors: Than Ajaan Geoff, Brock Brown, Jacqui Balfour, Russ Callaghan, Irfan Pirbhai, Tiara Letourneau, Kiko Brown, June Fukushima (in loving memory)

“Ajaan Maha Boowa tells a story when Ajaan Mun had passed away, how he felt lost — like a person who had depended on a doctor, and now the doctor was dead. He’d have to be an animal in the forest with no doctors to look after his diseases at all. But then he stopped to reflect: when Ajaan Mun was alive, what teachings did he repeat again and again? One particular struck him: when something comes up in your meditation, and you’re not really sure whether it’s reliable or not — just stay with your sense of the knower, bare awareness, awareness itself, and just let it pass. Ajaan Maha Boowa then decided he’d use that principle from that point on to protect himself from the dangers of meditation, when you’d get obsessed with something…You question what you got, and in questioning, you step outside. That’s how you look after yourself with ease. That’s how you maintain yourself. That’s how you become self-reliant.

Those are the gifts we’ve been given by our teachers, by the Buddha, so that the events of the world won’t shake us, and our comings and goings won’t leave scars on the mind. That’s what it means to be self-reliant, and the gift of self-reliance is the best gift that a teacher can give to help you teach yourself how to get outside of yourself to come to a place of real safety.”

Ṭhānissaro Bhikkhu | Get Outside Yourself | August 12, 2026

Issue 43: Monastery for Two Months '26 – Wrap-Up & Community News

Dear Dhamma Friends,

We're pleased to share a wrap-up of our Monastery for Two Months '26 program at Tugwell Cottage in Sooke, BC, which concluded at the end of March. This was our sixth temporary monastery experience, and we are grateful to everyone who contributed to making it a success.

☸️ A Successful Two Months

The program ran from February through March 2026, with monks from Wat Metta in residence throughout. The first month welcomed Ajaan Peter and Than Will; the second month, Ajaan Isaac and Than Peter. Guests and day visitors settled into the familiar monastery rhythm — morning meditation, the communal meal offering, a quiet afternoon for personal practice, and evening gatherings for Q&A, tea and allowables, chanting, and a Dhamma talk.

The program welcomed 39 overnight guests and 20 day visitors, with participants traveling from Vancouver Island, the Lower Mainland, and further afield. The monks returning to Wat Metta have reflected warmly on their time here — noting the harmonious atmosphere among guests this year, a feeling of growing momentum in the program, and what one described as a kind of "happy tiring" labour that goes into bringing a temporary monastery to life. One supporter put it simply: “it was a great two months”.

March brought exceptional rain — nearly two and a half times the monthly average — making some of the back trails muddy and impassable. But the wood stove kept the cottage warm and dry, and there were always paths to walk. There was even a brief snowfall early in the program — a fitting reminder that the conditions we encounter, pleasant or otherwise, are simply what we work with.

One of the unexpected highlights of the second month was a series of midnight sits on Uposatha days, suggested by Ajaan Isaac. Despite the mind's many protests and reasons why it couldn't be done, most participants stayed until the midnight gong — and felt much better for it. Quite the adventure.

View Complete Photo Gallery

🚶 Pindapata in Sooke

Each morning in March, rain or shine, the monks walked through the local area on alms round — pindapata (Pali: "the food morsels fall into the bowl"). This practice traces back to the earliest Buddhist records and remains central to the Theravada monastic tradition. It is a mutual relationship: the monks depend on lay supporters for their daily meal, and supporters have the opportunity to give voluntarily and make merit.

The monks went out — barefoot or in flip flops — walking through the Tugwell area and into Sooke town. On many mornings the rounds were quiet, but the encounters along the way were often memorable: a neighbour who offered flowers, an invitation to someone's home for breakfast, and on one Sunday, a local Thai woman who ran a food truck generously offered food to the monks.

This year, the monks' morning walks caught the attention of the wider Sooke community. A post in the local Sooke Social Facebook group drew dozens of reactions and warm, curious comments from neighbours who had spotted the monks on their rounds. Several commenters shared information about the meal offering tradition — and the post led to a few people making their way to Tugwell Cottage to offer food and join the evening Q&A and meditation sessions.

🙏 Anumodana

Our deepest thanks to all who contributed to the program — as overnight guests, day visitors, meal donors, volunteers, and supporters near and far. This kind of program takes a great deal of coordinated effort and generosity to bring about, and we don't take that lightly.

Anumodana to all who contributed — in person, online, or with interest and goodwill from afar.

📅 Community News

🌸 Songkran – Thai New Year Celebration at Wat Metta
Sunday, April 12, 2026

Songkran marks the traditional Thai New Year and is celebrated each year at Wat Metta, near San Diego, California. This year's schedule:

  • 9:00 am — Alms round, Taking the Triple Refuge and Precepts, Morning Chanting

  • 10:30 am — Potluck Meal

  • 12:00 pm — Dhamma Talk, Presentation of Forest Cloth & Accessories, Merit Dedication for Deceased Relatives, Songkran Water Blessing

To get a sense of the occasion, you can watch highlights from the 2024 Songkran celebration at Wat Metta here.

The Bangsukun Ceremony

As part of the Songkran observance, a Bangsukun (or paṃsukūla in Pali) ceremony will be held to make and transfer merit to deceased loved ones. In this ceremony — rooted in the earliest Theravada traditions — offerings of cloth are made to the monks via a strip of fabric, through which merit is generated and dedicated to those who have passed. The monks chant verses on impermanence, then offer blessings to the donors.

For those unable to attend in person, you may send the names of your deceased relatives to be included in the ceremony to: info@aranyarefuge.org

Learn more about the Bangsukun ceremony here.

🧡 Than Mike Coming to Squamish, BC
May 30 – June 20, 2026

Than Mike, a monk from Wat Metta, will be visiting Squamish, BC from May 30 to June 20, staying at the private residence of local supporters. Those in the area are warmly welcome to visit and offer a meal (dāna).

For more information or to be connected with the organizers in Squamish, please email: info@aranyarefuge.org 

☸️ Than Ajaan Geoff Weekend Retreat in Victoria, BC
September 12–13, 2026

Than Ajaan Geoff will be offering an in-person weekend retreat in Victoria, BC, co-hosted by Aranya Refuge. Further details and registration will be announced closer to the date.

🪔 Than Ajaan Geoff's 50th Ordination Anniversary
November 2026

This November, Than Ajaan Geoff marks 50 years since his ordination — a profound milestone for students and supporters around the world. As one student reflected, this is an opportunity to "celebrate and rejoice in Ajaan's integrity, commitment, generosity, and practice over 50 years of dwelling in robes."

Several occasions are being organized to mark the anniversary:

  • November 1 — A ceremony at Wat Metta in conjunction with the Kathina

  • November 6–8 — A weekend of teachings and meditation at Portland Friends of the Dhamma, including a full daylong retreat on November 7 (the anniversary date itself). Zoom available for some sessions. Details here.

  • November 7 — A Zoom meditation session with the monks at Wat Metta

A small group of students has also been exploring ways to mark the occasion through collective practice:

  • A collective 50-hour meditation pledge — one dedicated hour for each year of his ordination — in the weeks leading up to the anniversary. A dedicated app has been created here — no download required. (With thanks to Iván M. of Chile for developing this.)

  • A multi-day Zoom meditation gathering among students across groups

Those wishing to participate in the Paṭipatti Pūjā — paying homage through practice — are warmly encouraged to join.

Note: Students are also organizing the making of amulets as a gesture of reverence and appreciation to Than Ajaan on this occasion. This is a student-organized initiative and is not an official activity of Wat Metta or Aranya Refuge. Those interested in contributing may contact ordination50th@yahoo.com for details. Any remaining funds will support Than Ajaan's book fund.

Questions? Send us an email: info@aranyarefuge.org 

Anumodana for supporting the Buddha, Dhamma, and Sangha to take roots in a wilderness home on Vancouver Island.

Monastery for Two Months '26 Volunteer Team: Brock Brown, Kiko Brown, Suzan Denis, Duncan Murphy, Metta VanderVliet, Irfan Pirbhai

Aranya Refuge Board of Directors: Than Ajaan Geoff, Brock Brown, Jacqui Balfour, Russ Callaghan, Irfan Pirbhai, Tiara Letourneau, Kiko Brown, June Fukushima (in loving memory)

“Here there are two themes worthy of reflection. First is the Buddha’s saying, Vissasa parama ñati: Our foremost relatives are those for whom we feel trust. It was Ajaan Suwat who first thought up the idea of having this monastery. The people who gave money and time and energy to get the monastery off the ground: They weren’t related to us at all and yet they had a sense of trust in future generations that this would be a good thing to do, a good gift to give, and there would be people who would take good advantage of it. That relation through trust is much closer than our blood relations.

Which relates to the second theme: gratitude. Gratitude is not just a general appreciation. It’s specifically an appreciation for actions — a debt that requires you to do something in return. You have to return the goodness.

The Thai way of expressing this is that other people have started weaving something and so you continue the weaving. You don’t let the edges get all frayed. You imitate the goodness that they did, the intention that they had. You try to carry that out. That’s the response that keeps their goodness alive.
”

Ṭhānissaro Bhikkhu | Gratitude & Trust | October 12, 2010

Issue 42: Monastery for Two Months '26 – Into the Second Month

Dear Dhamma Friends,

We’re now into the second month of our Monastery for Two Months '26 program at Tugwell Cottage in Sooke, BC, and we're happy to share some reflections from the program so far.

🏡 The Setting

Tugwell Cottage continues to offer a wonderfully conducive environment for practice. The large log cabin — with its stained glass windows, crackling wood stove, and wide deck overlooking the surrounding forest — has once again been transformed into a temporary monastery. The living room serves as our Sala, while the monks reside in the cottage next door on the adjoining property.

A stream runs alongside the property, and the trails leading into the surrounding forest provide ample space for walking meditation and quiet reflection.

☸️ First Month: Ajaan Peter and Than Will

The first month of the program was led by Ajaan Peter and Than Will from Wat Mettā. Guests and day visitors settled into the familiar monastery rhythm: morning meditation, the communal meal offering, and a quiet period for personal practice through the afternoon. Evenings brought the community together in the Sala for Q&A with the monks, tea and allowables, and a closing session of chanting, a recorded Dhamma talk from Than Ajaan  Geoff, and meditation.

🌿 A Retreatant's Reflection

One of our first-week retreatants, Alexandra Kirsch, graciously offered the following reflection on her time at the monastery:

Getting to remote Rural Sooke by public transport was, let's say, an adventure in itself. The closest bus stop still left me with a 30-minute uphill walk. Thankfully, I had packed light – otherwise I might still be halfway up that hill. But every step was worth it.

For seven days, two monks and four lay people transformed the beautifully located Tugwell Cottage into a temporary monastery. The living room became our Sala, and everyone had their own quiet room. Surrounded by nature, it was the perfect setting to slow down, breathe, and simply be.

Our daily rhythm was simple: four meditations and one meal. What initially sounded like a challenge quickly became a gift to both body and mind. In between, there was time for walks, exploring the small river behind the house, or simply resting. Rural Sooke is usually wonderfully quiet – so you can imagine our surprise when a loud gunshot suddenly interrupted the afternoon silence. Thanks to the excellent detective work of one of my fellow meditators, we soon discovered it was only a blank cartridge, used to scare away an overly curious eagle that had been eyeing the neighbour's chickens.

Each evening, we gathered for Q&A sessions with Ajaan Peter and Taan Will. Some nights, we dove deep into Buddhist philosophy and ethics. Other times, we swapped stories about rattlesnakes at Metta Forest Monastery, wild camping in Mexico, or an unconventional "Buddha medicine" made from ox pee – which, unsurprisingly, did not become a popular souvenir with one of my fellow meditators.

These seven days brought me an unexpected amount of clarity and calm. So much so that returning to busy Victoria felt completely overwhelming. Everything blinked, buzzed, and demanded attention. It reminded me of my first walk from New Delhi's train station to my hotel – sensory overload included.

Now, a few days later, my inner filters have adjusted again. But the time at Aranya Refuge left a lasting mark. I've let go of some unhealthy habits, like taking my phone to bed and scrolling first thing in the morning. I've learned to create a little distance from my thoughts and words – to observe them and ask whether they are true and helpful before acting on them.

I wholeheartedly recommend taking this kind of time out whenever possible. And my deepest thanks go to everyone who made this retreat happen – especially our dedicated kitchen chef, facility manager, and steward, Brock.

— Alexandra Kirsch

🔄 Second Month: Ajaan Isaac and Than Peter

Ajaan Peter and Than Will concluded their residency at the end of February and returned to Wat Mettā. We are grateful to Ajaan Peter and Than Will for their month of practice at Tugwell Cottage, and to all the guests, day visitors, and donors whose generosity made it possible.

We now welcome Ajaan Isaac and Than Peter, who have arrived from Wat Mettā for the second month of the program. Day visitors are welcome to join the daily schedule through the end of March.

🙏 Join Us

Overnight guest spots are fully booked, but day visitors are welcome. We encourage those new to a monastery experience to drop in for the morning meditation and participate in the morning meal offering. Or come for unstructured time in the afternoon, or the Q&A, tea and allowables, chanting, and meditation in the early evening.

Anyone wishing to bring food is welcome to do so at any time.

👉 Be a Day Visitor

👉 Offer a Meal

📢 Other News

During the program, Ajaan Peter and Than Will stopped in Vancouver on their way to Vancouver Island for an informal dana meal gathering with lower-mainland practitioners and supporters of Aranya Refuge. The gathering was held at a gracious heritage space in West Point Grey, steps from the beach. We are grateful to those who organized and hosted the occasion.

Questions? Send us an email: info@aranyarefuge.org 

Anumodana for supporting the Buddha, Dhamma, and Sangha to take roots in a wilderness home on Vancouver Island.

Monastery for Two Months '26 Volunteer Team: Brock Brown, Kiko Brown, Suzan Denis, Duncan Murphy, Metta VanderVliet, Irfan Pirbhai

Aranya Refuge Board of Directors: Than Ajaan Geoff, Brock Brown, Jacqui Balfour, Russ Callaghan, Irfan Pirbhai, Tiara Letourneau, Kiko Brown, June Fukushima (in loving memory)

““There are pretty things out in the world, beautiful things, but there can be a lot of ugliness in the human heart. So we want to make sure that we develop goodness, beautiful goodness, inside our own human hearts—and we appreciate it in others. That’s how this human world becomes a place that’s worth living in. So look for your goodness inside. Develop it as a skill. And if you follow the skills of the Buddha, you find it can take you far.””

Ṭhānissaro Bhikkhu | The Skills of Merit | January 19, 2025

Issue 41: Celebration for Than Ajaan Geoff's Birthday (Dec 28) + Monastery Update

Greetings,

🎂 Zoom Gathering in Honour of Than Ajaan Geoff's Birthday

In honour of Than Ajaan Geoff's birthday, Aranya Refuge is hosting a Zoom meditation gathering on Sunday, December 28, 5:00–6:00 PM PST.

The celebration will include chanting, a recorded Dhamma talk, meditation, and a dedication of merit to honour Than Ajaan.

Date: Sunday, December 28, 2025

Time: 5:00 PM to 6:00 PM PST

Location: Online via Zoom

Register here to receive the Zoom link

When you register, there is an option to include a message for Than Ajaan—it could be a birthday greeting or a brief reflection on what inspired you to become his student.

If you are unable to attend but would like to send a message to Than Ajaan, please register anyway as leaving a message is part of the registration process.

📰 Monastery for Two Months '26 - Nearly Full

We're delighted to share that registration for overnight guests at our sixth temporary monastery (February 2 – March 29, 2026) is nearly complete, with perhaps one spot remaining. We anticipate some cancellations closer to the dates and will maintain a waitlist for those interested.

Day visitors and meal offerings are still very welcome throughout the program.

Questions?

Please email us at info@aranyarefuge.org

Anumodana for supporting the Buddha, Dhamma and Sangha to take roots in a wilderness home in British Columbia.

Aranya Refuge Board of Directors: Than Ajaan Geoff, Brock Brown, Jacqui Balfour, Russ Callaghan, Irfan Pirbhai, Tiara Letourneau, Kiko Brown, June Fukushima (in loving memory)

Monastery for Two Months '26 Volunteer Team: Brock Brown, Kiko Brown, Suzan Denis, Irfan Pirbhai

"When I first met Ajaan Fuang, it was shortly after my mother had passed away, and the dedication of merit was one of the first things he taught me. "Every night, after your meditation," he said, "dedicate the merit of your meditation to your mother." Of course, then it expands out. They talk a lot about making merit and then dedicating it to the people to whom you have karmic debts: people who have been good to you, people who deserve your gratitude. It's a good exercise to sit down and make a list: Who are the people who've taught you things? Who are the people who've gone out of their way for you? Teachers, friends, relatives, or non-relatives: Dedicate your merit to all of them. Doing this expands your mind and it sends good currents out to others."

Ṭhānissaro Bhikkhu

Dedicating Merit

January 01, 2016

Issue 40: Registration Now Open for Monastery for Two Months ‘26

Greetings,

We're delighted to invite you to Aranya Refuge's sixth temporary monastery from Monday, February 2 - Sunday, March 29, 2026. Following the success of our 2025 program, we are returning to Tugwell Cottage in Sooke, BC—two adjacent homes on adjoining properties in a rural setting approximately 1 hour west of Victoria.

Monks from Metta Forest Monastery (Wat Metta) will be in residence throughout the program, with two monks present in February and two different monks present in March. You can offer a meal, visit for the day, or stay for one week as an overnight guest.

Whether you're new to monastery practice or returning from 2025, we welcome you to make merit, support the monastics, build community, and deepen your practice.

Click here for more information.

🏠 The Monastery Experience

The schedule follows that of a typical monastery in the Thai forest tradition: early morning group meditation, morning meal, and free time to meditate in solitude for most of the day. Evenings include a Q&A session with the monks, followed by chanting, group meditation, and a recorded Dhamma talk.

Lay visitors benefit from direct contact with the monks who have devoted their lives to the practice of the Dhamma and Vinaya. Guests help in the daily preparation and offering of food, and assist with the upkeep of the facilities. There is plenty of time for meditating in the meditation hall (sala) or in the forest.

There is no charge for room, board, or teachings. Everything is provided in the spirit of generosity (dāna) by the monks and supporters of the monastery.

🌲 The Monastery Setting

The monastery will be at Tugwell Cottage, a large log cabin with stained glass windows in rural Sooke, BC—one hour west of Victoria. The two houses on adjoining properties provide an amenable setting: one for the monks' residence, and the other serving as the sala, kitchen, dining area, and gathering place for lay guests.

A wood stove creates a warm, welcoming atmosphere during cool days. A stream runs between the buildings, and connecting trails weave through the property. The surrounding evergreen forest offers abundant opportunities for walking meditation, and the large exterior deck provides ample space for outdoor practice.

The property is within driving distance of Mystic Beach and East Sooke Regional Park, where participants can practice among dramatic coastal cliffs and crashing waves—a setting appreciated by many during our 2025 program.

👥 Visiting Monks

We're pleased to share that monks from Metta Forest Monastery (Wat Metta) will be in residence throughout the program:

  • February: Two monks will be present

  • March: Two different monks will be present

Details about which monks will be attending will be confirmed and shared when schedules are finalized.

Visiting and Staying at the Monastery

🛌 Overnight Guests

Eight week-long cohorts are available for Overnight Guests for Monday to Sunday stays, from February 3 through March 30, 2026.

Accommodation options include single rooms and shared rooms for two people of the same gender.

Click here for more information.

☀️ Day Visitors

Day Visitors are welcome from February 2 to March 29, 2026.

Day Visitors can join the daily schedule, such as offering food in the early morning, meditating in the meditation hall, engaging in self-directed practice on the grounds, and joining the group meditation gatherings.

We especially encourage those new to a monastery experience to drop in for the morning meditation and participate in the morning meal offering that we all share. Or come for unstructured time in the afternoon, or the Q&A, meditation and recorded Dhamma talk in the early evening.

Click here for more information.

🥘 Meal Offering (Dāna) to the Monastics

We welcome anyone who wishes to bring food for the monks from February 2 through March 29, 2026.

Click here for more information.

📋 Please click to learn more about:

View photos from our successful 2025 Monastery for Two Months here.

We're grateful to offer this wilderness refuge for practice on Vancouver Island, and we warmly invite you to join us in whatever way feels meaningful—whether offering a meal, visiting for a day, or staying for a week.

Questions?
Please email us at info@aranyarefuge.org 

Anumodana for supporting the Buddha, Dhamma and Sangha to take roots in a wilderness home on Vancouver Island.

Aranya Refuge Board of Directors: Than Ajaan Geoff, Brock Brown, Jacqui Balfour, Russ Callaghan, Irfan Pirbhai, Tiara Letourneau, Kiko Brown, June Fukushima (in loving memory)

Monastery for Two Months ‘26 Volunteer Team: Brock Brown, Kiko Brown, Suzan Denis, Irfan Pirbhai

““Ajaan Lee tells of the many lessons you learn by looking in the forest: how trees survive, how the animals survive. The main lesson Ajaan Lee picked up from the forest was heedfulness. You have to be very watchful. You can’t be complacent. To survive in difficult situations, you have to learn to be quiet. When you go to a new place, always be quiet. Watch. See what you can learn. If you go in with the attitude that you already know everything you need to know—and this applies to all areas of life—all the lessons that are there just waiting to be picked up get ignored. So go both to give and to receive, to contemplate.””

Ṭhānissaro Bhikkhu | Wilderness Lessons | March 06, 2008

Issue 39: Successful ‘Noble Eightfold Path’ Retreat & 2026 Monastery Announcement

Greetings,

Aranya Refuge and the Victoria Insight Meditation Society (VIMS) were honoured to co-sponsor a hybrid weekend retreat with Than Ajaan Geoff (Thānissaro Bhikkhu), accompanied by Than Isaac, a senior monk at Mettā Forest Monastery, on August 9 and 10, 2025 in Victoria, BC. The topic was The Noble Eightfold Path Revisited. 

We’re grateful to Than Ajaan Geoff for sharing the Dhamma with us, and we’re delighted that participants (both in-person and from “Zoom land”) were able to revisit this foundational teaching and explore its deeper dimensions.

Audio Recordings from the Retreat

Recordings from the weekend are available here.

Reference Resources

Reference materials from retreat are available here.

Exciting News: Returning to Tugwell Cottage for February & March 2026 Monastery

Following the success of our 2025 Monastery for Two Months program, Aranya Refuge will return to Tugwell Cottage in Sooke, BC for our next extended monastery experience in February and March 2026.

Eight week-long cohorts are available from Monday to Sunday stays between Monday, February 2 - Sunday, March 29, 2026.

The Monastery Setting

As in our previous program, the monastery will be at Tugwell Cottage, a large log cabin with stained glass windows in rural Sooke, BC—one hour west of Victoria. The two houses on adjoining properties provide an amenable setting: one for the monks' residence, and the other serving as the meditation hall (sala), kitchen, dining area, and gathering place for lay guests.

The wood stove creates a warm atmosphere during cool days. A stream runs between the buildings, and connecting trails weave through the property. The surrounding evergreen forest offers abundant opportunities for walking meditation, and the large exterior deck provides an excellent space for outdoor practice.

The property is within driving distance to Mystic Beach and East Sooke Regional Park, where participants can practice among dramatic coastal cliffs and crashing waves - a setting appreciated by many during our 2025 program.

Visiting Monks

We're pleased to share that monks from Mettā Forest Monastery will be in residence throughout the program:

  • February 2-March 1: Two monks will be present

  • March 2-29: Two different monks will be present

Details about which monks will be attending will be confirmed and shared when schedules are finalized.

Visiting the Monastery

Overnight Guests: We will have accommodations available for one-week stays (Monday to Sunday). Options include single rooms and shared rooms for two people of the same gender.

Day Visitors: We welcome Day Visitors throughout the program to join meditation gatherings, meal offerings, and experience monastery life. We especially encourage those new to a monastery experience to drop in for the morning meditation and participate in the morning meal offering that we all share. Or come for unstructured time in the afternoon, or the Q&A and meditation in the early evening.

Offering Food: Anyone wishing to bring food for the monks is welcome to do so at any time.

The rural setting and forest provide opportunities for walking and sitting meditation both inside and outdoors.

Registrations will open later in October 2025. Look for more details in our next newsletter.

Questions?
Send us an email: info@aranyarefuge.org

Anumodana for supporting the Buddha, Dhamma and Sangha to take roots in a wilderness home on Vancouver Island.

Aranya Refuge Board of Directors: Than Ajaan Geoff, Brock Brown, Jacqui Balfour, Russ Callaghan, Irfan Pirbhai, Tiara Letourneau, June Fukushima (in loving memory)

Monastery for Two Months Volunteer Team: Brock Brown, Kiko Brown, Suzan Denis, Irfan Pirbhai

"There was one time when Ajaan Fuang's students were going to go up to the chedi to meditate. They got up there and discovered somebody had left a huge mess. So instead of meditating, they cleaned up the mess. One of the women was complaining, 'How can anybody leave a mess like this in a place like this?' And Ajaan Fuang said, 'Don't complain. They gave us the opportunity to do some good up here.'

So look at it that way. There are always opportunities for cleaning things up [...] The principle applies in the monastery just as it applies when you go out into the wilderness. They always say, 'When you go to a wilderness area, try to leave the place cleaner than it was when you got there.' Well, try to make the monastery cleaner than it was when you arrived. That can be your gift."

Ṭhānissaro Bhikkhu
Go Out of Your Way
October 23, 2024

Issue 38: The Noble Eightfold Path Revisited (Hybrid Retreat with Than Ajaan Geoff | Aug 9-10)

We’re pleased to invite you to attend a weekend of teachings from Than Ajaan Geoff, abbot of Mettā Forest Monastery in San Diego county. 

Than Ajaan will be offering teachings in person and via Zoom during his visit to Victoria, BC, Canada. The topic of the retreat is The Noble Eightfold Path Revisited.

These teachings are freely offered, and are hosted by two Victoria organizations: Aranya Refuge and Victoria Insight Meditation Society (VIMS).

  • August 9 (Sat) & August 10 (Sun), 2025

  • 9 am – 4 pm PDT (Pacific Time)

  • Goward House, Victoria, BC + Zoom (Hybrid Event)

Description

The Noble Eightfold Path is usually one of the first teachings that we encounter when we come to the Dhamma. We get a quick sketch of the path and then we move on to other teachings. As our practice develops, it's good from time to time to return to the basic framework of the path, to see what deeper dimensions it reveals in light of our further readings and practice.

This weekend retreat -- with talks, readings, meditations, and discussions -- will offer an opportunity to do just that.

Reading Materials

Than Ajaan Geoff has prepared a 13-page packet of readings for the retreat. See here.

Schedule

  • 08:45 – 09:00 · Arrive and settle

  • 09:00 – 11:30 · Guided meditation, teachings and Q&A

  • 11:30 – 13:00 · Break

  • 13:00 – 16:00 · Teachings and Q&A

Registering

Online

  • Click here to register for attending online via Zoom.

  • After registering, you will receive the Zoom link and full instructions.

    Add to Calendar

In Person

  • Click here to register for attending in person in Victoria, BC.

  • Space is limited.

📧 Contact vims1retreat@gmail.com if you have questions about your registration.

About the Teacher

Ṭhānissaro Bhikkhu (Geoffrey DeGraff) has been a Theravada Buddhist monk since 1976. After studying in Thailand with Ajaan Fuang Jotiko, he returned to the US in 1991 to help found the Mettā Forest Monastery (Wat Mettā) in the mountains north of San Diego. In 1993, Ajaan Geoff was asked to be the abbot and has continued to train monastics and offer teachings to lay people in North America, South America, Asia, Europe and Oceania. Ajaan Geoff is a highly respected scholar and practitioner of the Buddha’s teachings. His many recorded talks and writings can be found here.

In 2017, Than Ajaan Geoff agreed to explore the possibility of establishing a refuge for Wat Mettā monks on Vancouver Island. Aranya (Wilderness) Refuge was then established as a society and a registered Canadian charity. Since 2018, Aranya Refuge has organized five temporary monastery experiences.

​The teachings of the Buddha are offered freely.

Questions?

Send us an email: registrar@aranyarefuge.org

Anumodana for supporting the Buddha, Dhamma, and Sangha to take roots in a wilderness home on Vancouver Island.

  • Aranya Refuge Board of Directors: Than Ajaan Geoff, Brock Brown, Jacqui Balfour, Russ Callaghan, Irfan Pirbhai, Tiara Letourneau, June Fukushima (in loving memory)

“Why do you want the mind to lean? Well, think of a tree. There are trees that are leaning over all the time because they’ve been subjected to so much wind. You go to the North Rim of the Grand Canyon, and at the very edge of the cliff you see these huge juniper trees. They look like they’ve been blasted for centuries, all leaning over away from the wind. You go up to Powell Point: There are bristlecone pines leaning over very far, almost to the ground. Those have been there for millennia. If you were to cut them, you know exactly which direction they would fall. That’s the Buddha’s image. If you practice the noble eightfold path, develop the mind in the noble eightfold path, then it’s like a tree that leans to the east. No matter how you cut it, it’s going to fall to the east. That’s a mind that’s been consistently on the path.”

Ṭhānissaro Bhikkhu
How the Tree Leans
August 08, 2020

Issue 37: Successful Two-Month Monastery Program & Upcoming Events

☸️ Successful Two-Month Monastery at Tugwell Cottage, Sooke

Dear Dhamma Friends,

We're pleased to share the positive outcomes of our Two-Month Monastery program held from February to March 2025 in Sooke, BC. This extended monastery experience built upon previous successful programs and represented an important milestone in Aranya Refuge's efforts toward establishing a permanent monastery on Vancouver Island.

⏱️ A Glimpse into Monastery Life

The two houses on adjoining properties at Tugwell Cottage provided an amenable setting for the monks' residence and the community space, including a living room converted into a Sala. The wood stove in the Lay House created a warm atmosphere during cool days, with monks taking on the task of splitting kindling and transporting firewood.

Following a schedule similar to Wat Mettā, days began early with meditation practice time, group sitting, chanting, and a guided meditation or Dhamma talk from Than Ajaan Geoff.

As the day progressed, monks would clean the Sala by sweeping, dusting, and stocking firewood, while lay people took care of the kitchen, bedrooms, and bathrooms. Lay people cooked for the monks, and the community gathered daily for the meal offering, with monks giving blessings before the meal. Both overnight guests and day visitors who came for dana at mealtime participated in this important tradition.

A quiet period from 11am to 5pm provided space for deeper practice, with optional group sits scheduled at noon and mid-afternoon.

Evenings brought the community together again to gather with the monks. The evening sessions included Q&A sessions at tea time, chanting, making merit for the deceased, listening to a Dhamma talk from Than Ajaan Geoff, and a group sit.

🌲 Natural Beauty and Wilderness Practice

The temporary monastery setting offered a blend of shelter and wilderness. The surrounding forests provided abundant opportunities for walking meditation and reflection. The monks often remarked on the "moss-covered rocks that made it look ancient" among the huge cedars, arbutus trees and other diverse plant life in the forest.

Visitors and residents alike appreciated the "extensive network of trails" behind the cottages, with frequent wildlife sightings enriching the connection to nature. Deer became regular visitors to the backyard. The gentle rain created a peaceful soundtrack for practice, though one volunteer noted with amusement that umbrellas became "essential walking companions" for outdoor meditation.

"You can practice anywhere, cold, hot, rain, dry," reflected Than Peter. "All have challenges but it's about willingness to make it work."

The group organized occasional day trips to nearby natural wonders, including beaches with views of the cascading Olympic mountains to the south, or others with stunning waterfalls crashing directly onto the shore. These excursions provided opportunities to practice mindfulness in different settings while enjoying the region's remarkable coastal beauty.

👥 Community in Practice

The two-month monastery program welcomed 35 overnight guests and 14 day visitors, creating a vibrant community dedicated to Dhamma practice. Approximately three-quarters of participants came from Vancouver Island and the Lower Mainland, with the remainder traveling from further away.

The week-long stays for most participants created a good atmosphere of connection. Tea times provided casual opportunities for residents and visitors to get to know one other. One volunteer mentioned how a particularly rainy day led to an interesting Dhamma discussion about impermanence as the group watched "patterns form in puddles outside the Sala windows."

From these shared experiences emerged a sense of gratitude.

Anumodana to all who contributed—in person, online, or with interest and goodwill from afar—to make this year's program a success.

View Complete Photo Gallery

📅 Upcoming Events

August 9-10, 2025: Teachings in Victoria with Than Ajaan Geoff

Than Ajaan Geoff will offer teachings at Goward House in Victoria. This hybrid event (available both in-person and via Zoom) is co-hosted with the Victoria Insight Meditation Society and Aranya Refuge. Official announcement and registration will open 4 weeks before the event.

February-March 2026: Two-Month Monastery Program

We're pleased to announce we'll be returning to Tugwell Cottage for our next two-month monastery program. Announcements and registration will open in October 2025.

📢 Community Updates

  • Wat Mettā recently held a Sima consecration ceremony. (see photos and video)

  • Than Ajaan Geoff is currently teaching in Europe: April 21-30 at Monastère de Ségriès in France on the theme "Desire", and May 1-8 in Poland with events in Warsaw, Kraków, and Łódź.

  • We welcome Tiara Letourneau, who has joined the Aranya Refuge Board of Directors.

🙏 In Loving Memory

Remembering June Fukushima and her contributions to Aranya Refuge. We will miss June's presence and we recollect all the positive contributions she made in her life, including her dedication to making the Dhamma available to so many.

In loving memory.

Questions?

Send us an email: registrar@aranyarefuge.org

Anumodana for supporting the Buddha, Dhamma, and Sangha to take roots in a wilderness home on Vancouver Island.

  • Monastery for Two Months Operations team and volunteers: Brock Brown, Kiko Brown, Duncan Murphy, Metta VanderVliet

  • Registration Team Volunteers: Kiko Brown, Suzan Denis, Brock Brown, Sihan Lin, Irfan Pirbhai

  • Aranya Refuge Board of Directors: Than Ajaan Geoff, Brock Brown, Jacqui Balfour, Russ Callaghan, June Fukushima (in loving memory), Irfan Pirbhai, Tiara Letourneau

“Recently, when we were in Canada, camping in the Kootenay mountains, we camped next to Kootenay River, which is not an especially large river, but the current is extremely fast. It’s very strong. Whole trees have been carried off by the river. You had the sense that if you went down into the river, you had no idea: Maybe a tree right under the surface of the water could come along to knock the wind out of you and carry you off, too.

So you can understand why the Buddha used, as one of his main images of life, a swift-flowing river that you have to get across. Change happens so quickly in life, it can be so strong, that it can knock the wind out of you and carry you off.

What you need is some way to get across the river. The image he has is of a raft. The raft is the noble eightfold path. The standard image is that you take the raft across the river and as you finally start approaching the other bank, there comes a point where your feet can touch the bottom of a river. That’s called gaining a foothold. It’s a symbol for your first experience of the deathless. You gain a foothold in the deathless. Then, ultimately, you get up, out of the river. You stand on high ground. That’s nibbana. At that point, you’re totally safe. At that point, you don’t even need the raft anymore.”

Ṭhānissaro Bhikkhu
Crossing The River
June 14, 2006

Issue 36: Monastery for Two Months - Interim Update

Dear Dhamma Friends,

Three weeks into the Monastery for Two Months, we're settling in and it's going well.

The First Weeks

The monastery opened during a snowfall - six inches of it! The first days brought unexpected weather and a power outage during meal preparation. The monks helped shovel snow—in their sandals—bringing the spirit of Kammaṭṭhāna practice to a Canadian winter. We adapted to the outage by cooking on the wood stove and digging out the barbecue.

Practice Environment

Practice takes place at Tugwell Cottage, a log cabin with stained glass windows, surrounded by evergreen forest. The monks stay in a cottage behind the main building, its porch looking out to the forest. A stream runs between the buildings, and connecting trails weave through the property. Along the rural road, you might spot a "Bear in Area" sign - though as our neighbors note, we haven't seen any bears yet.

The property is a short drive from East Sooke Regional Park, where the monks have visited to practice among dramatic coastal cliffs and crashing waves.

Daily Life

Days follow the monastic schedule: morning meditation, shared meals, chores, time for personal practice, and evening gatherings for tea, Q&A with Ajaan Peter and meditation. The Sala has been sectioned off with screens to create meditation spaces during the day.

Reflections from Our Community

“It was a very inspiring week at the monastery. I have so much appreciation to Ajaan Peter and Than Will as well as to you (Brock) and June for all your efforts in making this happen.”
— Louise T.
“In every aspect, this trip was the nicest and most positively memorable experience to date with Ajaan Peter and Than Will. Every detail you, June and Kiko accounted for served to remind all here of what matters the most - sharing the Love, and putting a final end to all suffering.”
— Retreat Participant
“Retreat practice is a lot like baking bread. You bring all the ingredients together and you carefully and repetitively work the dough and then you allow it to rise. Then bake it. Such a simple process yet infinitely complicated. So many causes and conditions that can create a different outcome. The age of the yeast, the type of flour, the temperature of the water, and the temperature and length of the proofing. It’s an exercise in taming our expectations. That’s why they say, ‘you never get the retreat you want. You get the retreat you get.’”
— David R. (Aranya Refuge Monastery Baker)

Looking Ahead

Ajaan Peter and Than Will will stay until March 3rd. Than Saulo and Than Peter will arrive from Wat Mettā that same day for a month-long residence.

We had previously announced that Than Ajaan Geoff would join us for two weeks. However, he will be unable to come this time due to preparations for the inauguration of the new Ordination Hall at Wat Mettā in March. We wish the Wat Mettā parisā well with this auspicious occasion.

Join Us

Overnight guest spots are fully booked, but day visitors are welcome! We encourage those new to a monastery experience to drop-in for the morning meditation as well as participate in the morning meal offering that we all share. Or, come for unstructured time in the afternoon, or the Q&A, meditation and dhamma talk in the early evening. 

Anyone wishing to bring food is welcome to do so at any time.

Be a Day Visitor
Offer a Meal

Questions?

Send us an email: registrar@aranyarefuge.org

Anumodana for supporting the Buddha, Dhamma, and Sangha to take roots in a wilderness home on Vancouver Island.

  • Monastery for Two Months Operations team: Brock Brown, Kiko Brown, Duncan Murphy

  • Registration Team Volunteers: Suzan Denis, Kiko Brown, Irfan Pirbhai

  • Aranya Refuge Board of Directors: Than Ajaan Geoff, Jacqui Balfour, Brock Brown, Russ Callaghan, June Fukushima (in loving memory), Irfan Pirbhai

“When I was up camping in Canada recently, there were days when the rain lasted all through the day, all through the night. You’re stuck in your tent and you could make yourself miserable if you wanted to. But you could also look at it as an opportunity: no responsibilities, all that time to be with the breath. In other words, no matter how bad the situation may be … you’ve always your breath, and there’s always something to learn.”

Ṭhānissaro Bhikkhu
Metta Can Hurt
August 13, 2013