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THE JOY OF OFFERING SERVICE

One of the joys of attending programs at the Abbey is the opportunity to integrate the Dharma in the everyday chores and projects that happen at any given time.

When pulling knapweed, we imagine that we're eliminating ignorance at its root. When harvesting the garden, we think about how virtuous karmic seeds do ripen given enough nourishment. When cooking for the community, we visualize their bodies and minds being supported to practice the Dharma.

Each task becomes a practice in and of itself. Here's how the students who attended Exploring Monastic Life used offering service to help their practices.

 
Tsundru helps Venerable Saldon stake the sunflowers. Tsundru and the sunflowers are both over 6 feet tall.

Exiquio offers a strong back and great energy to the offering service opportunities

“Caught ya!” Venerable Chodron teases Carl and Frederick about idle talk during an offering service morning.

Ulric poses as applesauce chef in the workshop. The Abbey freezes gallons of homemade applesauce every year with the help of the EML retreatants. It will be enjoyed by the Abbey resident and guests thought the upcoming year.

Natalie and Alec take their turn as the lunch prep crew for Tracy, a local FOSA volunteer who has been cooking for us

Tracy puts lots of love and care in the meals she is preparing for us during the program

Nanc and Exiquio go over the details of replacing treated lumber in the garden

Ulric and Exiquio pose just before a filled truck of firewood gets unloaded.

Ann and Nanc help out stacking the firewood in the furnace wood. The chute helps us get the wood from the outside to the inside easily.

Tsundru, Natalie Exiquio, and Ulric make the firewood task a joyful, mindful experience. Now they’re done!

 
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