Il Ritorno

Hello!

I’m back!

After two years away from the Art Monastery (including six glorious months as a Farm Apprentice at Green Dragon Zen Temple north of San Francisco), I am just psyched to announce that I am re-entering into the Project.

Just days after I completed my apprenticeship at Green Dragon Temple (aka Green Gulch Farm), I received an email that made me cry. Raphael Sacks and Neva Cockrell had led the Summer Lab for the first time in Caramanico, Abruzzo, at the Ex-Convento delle Clarisse. They were planning the next summer’s Lab. “You can come and be in charge, you can come as a participant, you can come to visit for the weekend — name your preferred level of involvement.” Raffi revealed a secret hope to host me as I had hosted them (as part of a killer team of 5 Permamonks). After seven years of giving my all to the Art Monastery, this invitation struck my heart like a gong. I made the arrangements. I went to Caramanico this past summer as the Visual Designer for the show and a sort of part-time Core Team Member (I just couldn’t keep myself out of those meetings!).

This summer had notable ups and downs, but even in the midst of difficulties, I had a clarity that was like an ongoing drone throughout the summer: this is the work I want to be doing.

I am so deeply grateful to those who kept the Art Monastery going after I left, and doubly grateful for the opportunity to return.

Let’s find out what will happen next!