Heartwood & Academy Updates-North Carolina

You have been asking me about what is happening with Pannavati and everyone at Heartwood in North Carolina. She tells me they are ok and just sent this newsletter update that includes some links for more. They were lucky. They are in Hendersonville, which is a few miles south of Asheville, but power and water and infrastructure has been down there, too.

“Expressing it, remembering, prostrating and offering

May all sentient beings such as ourselves be freed 

From epidemics, execution, criminals, and spirits, 

Have faculties fully complete,suffering and negativities’ continuum cut, 

Not fall to lower realms, experience happiness of humans and gods, 

And with hunger, thirst, and poverty pacified, may there be wealth.

No torments of body such as bindings and beatings, 

Without harm of tigers, lions and snakes, conflict pacified, 

Endowed with loving minds and relieved from fear of floods as well,

May we pass to fearless bliss.”

-excerpt from The Concise Essence Sutra Ritual of Bhagavan Medicine Buddha Called The Wish-Fulfilling Jewel

Updated Dharma Hall Location!

Monastery and Dharma Hall are One!

Heartwood’s August newsletter announced that the Dharma Hall would be moving back to the Osceola Rd. location following the expiration of the lease at Old Barn Rd.  Since that time, and following the storm, consideration was given to how the monastery had become a true refuge and sangha hub. Upon further assessment, it was determined that the lower level of the monastery could comfortably accommodate a fellowship and study group space, a dharma talk and practice space, as well as a separate kitchen and yard for potlucks and informal gatherings. As a result, Heartwood will consolidate sangha activities at the monastery location instead of moving back to the old Bodhi Hall at Osceola Rd. This will save on additional costs of a separate space as well as allow for more versatility in Heartwood functions.  Dharma talks will commence at the monastery THIS Sunday October 20th. Please double park on the left hand side of the building and enter the side door directly into our fellowship area. You can leave shoes and coats there and walk through the fellowship area into the dharma hall. Address: 389 Courtland Blvd. Hendersonville, NC 28791

Hurricane Helene

Support for Heartwood was offered in myriad ways. Clear Grace Dyananda used her networks through Traveling Nunk and Sangha House NOLA to raise donations. Dustin “Abhaya” Davis accessed and coordinated with Venerable Pannavati’s Dharmacharya students and other groups to collect funds. With those funds, he purchased and delivered supplies to the monastery and hermitage such as charging blocks, a propane stove and fuel, solar lanterns, ice, water, gasoline, and non-perishable foods. Dustin drove from TN, detouring impassable roads, to get to Hendersonville. He also traveled to Swannanoa to assist a friend of Heartwood and local dharma teacher and her family who had lost their home and aid others.

The Heartwood community is grateful to share that the monastery, hermitage, and Dharma Hall sustained little storm damage and all locations are now back to pre-storm condition with power, water, and internet restored. There are many people who have lost everything and still need help. 

Ways you can help:

The above picture was taken at a massive drive-through donation distribution warehouse at 118 McAbee Ct. (behind Bloomfield’s near Exit 53 / Upward Rd. off I-26).  It is filled with donations and supplies for people in need.  Available supplies include clothes, bedding, pet supplies, camping supplies, toiletries and hygiene products, cleaning supplies, school supplies, toys, water and food. The United Way is managing the Henderson County volunteers and many more are needed to help with sorting and distributing items.  Click the button below to learn more and sign up to volunteer.  

United Way Volunteer Sign-Up  Southern Dharma is doing incredible work leading relief efforts. They have set up Southern Dharma Oasis at 150 Westwood Pl. in Asheville to collect and distribute supplies, house volunteers, offer a central location for services, such as Acupuncturists Without Borders and hot meals from World Central Kitchen. They  could use some more volunteers with vehicles to deliver supplies to people in need. Click here to donate and below to volunteer.  Southern Dharma Volunteer Sign Up Rescheduled Workshop Due to Hurricane Helene The Path of Least Resistance From the creator Robert Fritz Facilitated by Acharya Elsie (Uttarana) Fort DATE & TIME DETAILS: Tentative reschedule in January Date -TBD LOCATION: Heartwood Refuge ADDRESS: 389 Courtland Blvd. Hendersonville, NC 28791 REGISTRATION FEE: $50  *Scholarships Available CONTACT: Reba Capers reba@heartwoodrefuge.org (504) 452-7354 This workshop blends the fields of science and art to guide you on your path towards creating what truly matters to you and your community. You will learn how to shift from reacting to creating; and through the power of structural tension, advancing towards what you want to bring into reality.  You will learn about three profound insights embedded in the Path of Least Resistance:      – Energy Moves Along the Path of Least Resistance      – The Underlying Structure Will Determine the Path of Least Resistance      – We can change the Underlying Structure by CREATING new structures Click here for more info and to register Calendar, News & Updates Calendar Check out our monthly calendar for schedules, events and more! Florida Retreat Venerable Pannavati will be leading a daylong retreat at the Florida Community of Mindfulness November 16, 2024 entitled “All Worldly Dharma is Buddha Dharma”. Learn more and register here Copyright (C) 2024 Heartwood Refuge and CCLFBA. All rights reserved. You are receiving this email because you opted in via our website. Our mailing address is: Heartwood Refuge and CCLFBA 271 Old Barn Rd. Suite A Hendersonville, NC 28791 USA