A Path Rooted In Desire Retreat With Ajaan Geoff (In-Person Registration)
A Two-Day, Hybrid, Non-Residential Retreat With Taan Ajaan Geoff
Aranya Refuge Theravada Buddhist Monastery and Victoria Insight Meditation Society welcome you to participate in two days of teachings with Taan Ajaan Geoff, also known as Ṭhānissaro Bhikkhu, Abbot of Metta Forest Monastery in San Diego county.
When:
Saturday, September 12, 2026, 9AM to 4PM PDT (with a break from 11:30AM to 1:00PM PDT)
- AND -
Sunday, September 13, 2026, 9AM to 4PM PDT (with a break from 11:30AM to 1:00PM PDT)
Where:
Goward House
2495 Arbutus Road
Victoria, BC V8N 1V9
Please use the rear entrance to the building (around to the left and down the sidewalk or stairs).
The #11 bus stops nearby.
Driving Directions
Description:
All phenomena are rooted in desire, the Buddha said. This includes all things skillful and unskillful, and even the path to awakening. Contrary to a popular misconception, not all desires get in the way of the path.
This weekend retreat—through readings, talks, meditations, and discussions—will focus on the positive role of desire on the path to awakening, and on how skillful desires can be developed and given power in the heart and mind.
Co-sponsored by Victoria Insight Meditation Society and Aranya Refuge, the Retreat will be both in-person at Goward House in Victoria and also available online via Zoom.
Reading Materials:
Taan Ajaan Geoff has prepared the following readings for the retreat:
Schedule:
8:45am-9:00am: Arrive and settle
9:00am-11:00am: Guided meditation, teachings and Q&A
11:00am-1:00pm: Break
1:00pm-4:00pm: Teachings and Q&A
About The Teacher:
Ṭhānissaro Bhikkhu (Geoffrey DeGraff) has been a Theravada Buddhist monk since 1976. After studying in Thailand with Ajaan Fuang Jotiko, he returned to the US in 1991 to help found the Metta Forest Monastery (Wat Metta) in the mountains north of San Diego.
In 1993, Ajaan Geoff was asked to be the abbot and has continued to train monastics and offer teachings to lay people in North America, South America, Asia and Europe. Ajaan Geoff is a highly respected scholar and practitioner of the Buddha's teachings. His many recorded talks and writings can be found here.
The teachings of the Buddha are offered freely.
Offering Dana:
Financial donations to both Victoria IMS for organizational costs and to Aranya Refuge are appreciated.
You may offer dana to Aranya Refuge here.
You may offer dana to VIMS in the following ways:
Canadians may send donations through Interac e-Transfer to vimsdana@gmail.com and anyone may donate with PayPal by clicking here. Cheques can be mailed to 4013 Magdelin St. Victoria, BC V8N 3M5.
With gratitude for the Buddha, Dhamma and Sangha.
For more information, contact organizers at vims1retreat@gmail.com
Sincerely,
Aranya Refuge and Victoria Insight Meditation Board of Directors
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Aranya Refuge Theravada Buddhist Monastery is a registered non-profit Society in British Columbia and a registered Canadian charity (764739942RR0001).
Our vision is to sustain and advance the teachings and practices as taught by the Buddha. To learn more, visit www.aranyarefuge.org