Bellingham and Twisp Host
Ajahn Geoff

During September, Thanissaro Bhikkhu, aka Ajahn Geoff, offered teachings in Bellingham and Twisp, Washington.

Ajahn Geoff is the abbot of Metta Forest Monastery in San Diego County and a well-known writer and translator of Pali scriptures. He teaches regularly in Bellingham. On his recent visit, he presented a weekend course on Dependent Co-Arising to members of the Bellingham Insight Meditation Society. Held at the Red Dharma Cedar Hall, the teaching was attended by over fifty people. Ajahn Geoff was accompanied by fellow monk, Than Peter.

At the conclusion of the weekend, a small caravan headed across the North Cascade Highway to Twisp, where Ajahn was scheduled to teach the next day. The drive to Twisp is long and beautiful, crossing Rainy and Washington Passes and descending into the Methow Valley. Noting that the Buddha encouraged the enjoyment of natural beauty in order to gladden the mind, the group stopped for a picnic lunch, a short hike and some sight-seeing en route.

Twisp is a rural town in North Central Washington. Ajahn Geoff’s teaching took place at the recently revitalized Twisp Valley Grange. More than forty people of diverse background were present at the daylong course about breath meditation and cultivating goodwill. The willingness and generosity of Ajaan Geoff and Than Peter to journey to a small town was deeply appreciated by Buddhists and non-Buddhists alike.