rainbows_dharma_life_course

Hello, my name is Ruth and I have set up this page to support Rainbow to go on the Dharma Life Course in Spring 2025. This is a 4-month course of Buddhist study, community living, and taking part in life at the Adhisthana Retreat Centre.

Rainbow is a Mitra (friend) who has asked for ordination into the Triratna Buddhist Order. I lived in community with Rainbow and then worked with her at the LBC. Rainbow is a kind, curious and creative member of the sangha, with a great sensitivity to life, practice and communication. It is a pleasure to help raise funds to send her on her course.

Many of you will have experienced the warmth and creativity Rainbow brings, whether to the LBC newsletter, organising festival days, teaching yoga, making shrines, supporting retreats and creative writing events, or helping new projects get off the ground such as 'Transforming Self and World'. Her thirst for practice and the Dharma will make her an asset to the 2025 course and community.

Rainbow has paid £320 towards the course already. Let's help her to raise the remaining £3,000 for this next step on her path.

Thank you for your support!

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Hi everyone, thank you for being here! I'm glad to have the opportunity to share a few words about what the Dharma Life Course (DLC) means to me.

Throughout my life I've circled around questions of meaning, such as what does it mean to be human? to be alive? to make progress? This curiosity took me in the direction of Psychology, including working in children's mental health, as well as in global development and humanitarian initiatives. While these experiences expanded my understanding in many ways, I'd often meet a ceiling and feel that truer answers were out there.

In 2019, my spiritual journey opened up through a period of much change. What emerged were glimpses of that which satisfied my seeking, a bright unknowing. Realising the need for community and context, I was drawn to practice with the London Buddhist Centre (LBC) and its vibrant, diverse sangha. Through retreats and courses, momentum grew in my Buddhist practice, alongside a growing clarity to put my spirituality and creativity more at the centre of my life. In 2023 I began working at the LBC, and currently live in a Buddhist community. Along the way, I've been fortunate to have supported various projects, from carers to families, and inspired by kind friends.

Over the past few years, the idea of doing the DLC has crept up, yet I would easily dismiss it... Then last year, feeling a desire for greater immersion in the Dharma, simplicity, and nature, as well as a few synchronicities thrown in, I found myself applying to the course on Guru Padmasambhava Day. It feels like a 'going forth' to pack up my things, leave London, and go to Adhisthana without plans for afterwards... And, when I tune in to the deeper currents, it feels right. I'm excited to join in the community there, and open to the transformation that will unfold from intensive practice, so that I can bring that out into the world.

My wish is that taking part in the course will be of benefit to many. As such, I'm asking for support in the spirit of a collective project, towards a shared vision of liberation for all. What you can give will be so appreciated. Thank you!