Megan's Dharma life course

Hi Everyone, my name is Jayadhi and I have set up this go-fund me to support Megan in being able to attend the Dharma life course at Adhisthana in spring 2025- A fantastic opportunity for practitioners to deepen their understanding and depth of Dharma Practice!

The following is an introduction from Megan and a request to support her in covering her costs for the course, uprooting your life for 4 months is a big step, on top of this Megan will be having another knee surgery in the next months, so not having to worry about the costs of the course would be a great support for her!

Hello, my name is Megan and I have been practicing Buddhism since 2018. I moved to London to study Philosophy at university after struggling with my mental health and finding myself in something of an existential crisis, when I stumbled across the London Buddhist Centre. The rest is history! I was definitely seeking something and I absolutely found it in Triratna. After going along to a young people's day retreat, I got more and more involved - becoming a mitra in September 2022 and asking for ordination in April 2023. Over the last couple of years I have been living back up north, helping to run the Tuesday night meditation class and teaching yoga at the Newcastle Buddhist Centre.

After years of studying various qualifications and trying multiple jobs (most recently as a Social Worker and Psychotherapist) in August 2024 my life ground to a halt. I was completely burnt out and needed major knee surgery, so I stopped working, dropped all my commitments and moved back in with my family to recover. My dharma practice and spiritual friendships have been absolutely essential for getting me through this time. Having the time and space to reflect on my life and deepen my practice has only strengthened my intention and motivation to join the Order and live an authentic spiritual life ☸️

It was during this time I found out that a good friend and teacher of mine (who I hope will ordain me one day) is heading up the Dharma Life Course this year. The opportunity to spend 4 months living in the same place as her deepening our connection, is far too precious to pass up! This will also give me a chance to experience an intensive dharmic context in a way I haven't been able to before - where I am living in community with other young Buddhists at a retreat centre and putting all my energy into studying and practicing the dharma more deeply. I finally have an opening coming up in my life which makes this all possible!

The Buddha keeps me in touch with my potential as a human being, giving me a direction in which to grow. The Dharma gives me a context through which I can understand and navigate this life with its joys and its challenges. The Sangha has shown me true friendship and a sense of community I'd never experienced before. The Dharma Life Course will enrich my practice, create connections with members of our international sangha and give me huge momentum towards ordination. I know that throughout my life I'll do many things, connect with many people and spend time in many places. And I know that the best way for me to do this is as a member of this Order. To move towards this, I need a new context to go deeper.

This month I am preparing to have another major knee surgery, and having the DLC to look forward to will help me get through the pain and challenges that are still to come. It will also provide me really supportive conditions to recover back to full health, keep me working on what's most important and open up new possibilities for the next phase of my life.

This decision is one I've made quite unexpectedly, which means I'm not as prepared financially as I really need to be. But it feels so right, I have to make it happen. If you are able and would like to contribute towards the cost of the course, marking this hugely significant step in my spiritual life, I would be so deeply grateful for your generosity! Thank you ✨️