An Invitation to become one of my supporters
I am looking for financial support from anyone who appreciates or benefits from what I do. The situation is currently (2010) quite OK as you'll see below, but I need to start things rolling before my money runs out. So if you would like to, please consider becoming a supporter.
I have set up a page at justgiving.com which allows UK donors to add tax normally claimed by the IR. I have also gathered a pool of interested friends who receive an email every so often about my dana appeal. If you'd like to be added to that list please contact me, or simply go to the justgiving site and donate something. Thanks a lot!
Here is the message on my Justiving page:
Since my ordination at age 24, I have spent all my adult life helping establish the FWBO in the UK and other parts of the world. I have been especially associated with meditation teaching and practice. Now, as I get older, I want to be on retreat, live simply, and take my Dharma practice further. I'll be 61 in April 2010 and I reckon I've got ten active years - maybe a lot more, but maybe a lot less. Who knows. Anyway, I really don't want to waste the time I have left.
After two years in retreat conditions at EcoDharma in Spain, I plan to base myself in London from autumn 2010. This is a big change of plan - for details please see my blog on kamalashila.co.uk.
From that base I want to come out and give my energies for the needs of the Order and movement. I intend to lead retreats, give talks and seminars, be a friend - and develop my work as a public preceptor.
Having spent so much time on retreat over the last decade I've got myself slightly out of sync with the FWBO mainstream, so I'm currently in a phase of re-connection. I'm planning a few retreats, some talks, and some involvement with the ordination process. In terms of my overall direction, I want to help build coherence in our collective understanding of meditation and other core dharma practices - it's a process I've been concerned with all my Order life.
In London I plan to be on retreat much of the time, meditating and writing, though in the city I will have much more opportunity for seeing people individually and for teaching. I welcome that very much. As for writing, I have two books half finished: one is on solitary retreat, a kind of manual of principles and practice, and another is on the six elements. I am also rewriting my one-and-only meditation book for a re-launch in early 2011. I also want to develop my website as a resource for connecting to people, providing teachings and meditation advice. Since my father died in 2003 I have supported myself and I still have about £20,000 of what he left me. Time is running out though: it seems wise to look for support before it is all gone.
Low impact living in Spain was inexpensive and I could manage on about 6000 euros a year. London will be a very different proposition and I can see my savings diminishing rather more rapidly - still, in UK I will probably be able to get some state benefits. This I haven't been able to look into yet, but I will do so when I get to the UK.
When I know my living costs and benefits I will post them here. In the meantime I am seeking support and funding from those who know and appreciate my work for the movement. Standing orders and donations of any amount will be received with gratitude and appreciation of your encouragement.