News
Forestland Rescue Project Update
July 5, 2010
We recently crossed the $125,000 mark in our fundraising to pay off the $142,000 purchase price of the forestland next door, leaving us $17,000 yet to raise. We all have cause to celebrate our good fortune in having had the opportunity to rescue those 9 acres of forestland. The neighbor from whom we bought the land recently began logging on the property he still retains nearby. Anyone taking a walk out on Agren Road has the evidence of their own eyes and hearts to know what a wonderful thing we have achieved as a community by literally rescuing trees and forestland from destruction.
It was truly heartbreaking to walk up Agren Rd after the nearby logging recently. Not only to see such beautiful old trees cut down, but also to see the many displaced animals who made their home in the forest. Chipmunks and squirrels scampered about, bewildered and frightened, while birds' nests laid scattered among the debris. While the extent of ecological devastation in our times is saddening and confusing, it was inspiring to see that a community that genuinely cared about this land was able to come together to preserve this forest for many years to come.
CM Forestland with Walking Trail
Witnessing this recent destruction has really brought home the meaning of the Forestland Rescue Project for us at Cloud Mountain. It is in this spirit that we share some images of this recent logging: to give our sangha a sense of the fate that we saved our beautiful forest from...
Coming together to prevent such ecological destruction is an act of great merit that will benefit many, many beings. We send our deep gratitude to all who have made this possible. Sādhu, sādhu!
2011 Retreat Schedule and Registrations Now Available
May 26, 2010
We are now accepting registrations for retreats during the 2011 calendar year. Please click here to view the 2011 retreat calendar and here to register for a retreat in 2011.Cloud Mountain seeks a new Executive Director
May 7, 2010
After more than 25 years of dedicated service, our founder Dhammadasa (David) Branscomb will be transitioning out of his role as Executive Director and into a more supporting role. As part of this transition, Cloud Mountain is seeking to train a new Executive Director. To read more about our situation and the description for this position, please click here.
A Special Retreat Offering for Younger Practitioners
April 16, 2010
Please see the 2010 retreat schedule to read about the 7-day Kind Awareness retreat with Noah Levine and Vinny Ferarro. Noah and Vinny have had wonderful success recently in bringing the Dharma to younger generations. It is Cloud Mountain’s wish to provide additional scholarship assistance to make this retreat accessible to practitioners at all levels of financial need. If you would like to help us provide this , please consider making a donation to the scholarship fund.
New Staff Members for a Growing Center
April 8, 2010
We have been pleased to welcome three new staff members over the first months of 2010. May Cloud Mountain be a
place for their practice to deepen in awareness and compassion.
Debby de Carlo joined the Cloud Mountain staff on April 1. She is a writer, bird watcher, and grandmother. She welcomes the opportunity to deepen her practice, learn from teachers, and contribute to the Cloud Mountain sangha.
We also welcome Pamela Schechtmann, who joined Cloud Mountain as kitchen manager in April.
Mark Bruno joined the Cloud Mountain office in January. He has investigated a wide range of meditative and philosophical traditions and is particularly drawn to teachings of nonduality and their integration with the passions and concerns of daily life. He is also interested in extending meditative inquiry to an investigation of our species' relationship with the natural world and exploring ways of living sustainably. He has great passions for music, cooking, and self-exploration in all forms.
We also wish to extend our gratitude to volunteer Laura Dean, who is moving to Seattle after her six months of generous service in the kitchen, grounds, and facility support. May she be happy, peaceful, and free from harm on her new journeys.
Forestland Rescue Project Update
April 7, 2010
On January 31st, Cloud Mountain completed payment in the amount of $142,000 for the nine acres of forestland adjacent to our existing property. This expands the center's land to 15 acres and provides a natural buffer to ensure that Cloud Mountain continues to be a sanctuary for Dharma practice. We extend our deep gratitude to those whose donations have made this possible; it was an awe-inspiring demonstration of the power of generosity.
While the generosity of the Sangha helped a great deal toward realizing our goal, donations as of April 1st have amounted to just under $110,000. The remaining $32,000 has been supplied by the Center's reserve emergency funds, but we will need to continue fundraising to replenish these funds, ensuring the continued financial stability of the center. Please consider donating to the Forestland Rescue Project today.