Venerable Dr. Pannavati,
Co-founder and Co-spiritual Director
Ensuring the community’s sustainability, longevity and continuity of vision and mission. She is also President of Treasure Human Life Foundation. Ordained in the Theravada, Chan, and Mahayana traditions with Vajrayana empowerments and transmission from Roshi Bernie Glassman of Zen Peacemakers, Pannavati was formerly a Christian pastor, and co-founder and co-Abbot of Embracing-Simplicity Hermitage and meditation center.
An international teacher who advocates on behalf of disempowered women and youth globally, and insists on equality and respect in Buddhist life for both female monastics and lay sangha — she is both contemplatie and empowered for compassionate service. She was a 2008 recipient of the Outstanding Buddhist Women’s Award and currently serves as Vice President of the US Chapter of the Global Buddhist Association. Although Ven. Pannavati travels extensively, she offers Dharma Talks and Meditation at HW on a regular basis. Please see the Embracing Simplicity Sangha Activities or find Venerable Pannavati’s calendar here.
Bhikkhu Pannadipa, Co-founder and Co-spiritual Director
Founding Co-Abbot of Embracing Simplicity Hermitage, ordained in the Theravada and Mahayana (Chan) traditions. A former Taoist monk and an initiated yogi, he taught Tien Shen Pai Kung Fu, qigong, Tai Chi and Fitness for more than 26 years. As meditation counselor of the Hermitage, his finely honed skills add unspeakable depth to a practitioner’s experience.
Powerfully present with penetrating awareness, he guides meditators towards jhanic attainment, teaching them how to use this empowerment in all circumstances of practical life. In addition, he has extensive experience assisting in the transition from this life to the next for both humans and animals. Ven. Pannadipa leads Theravada Dharma Talks and Meditation, Qigong and Tai Chi. For times and days, please see the Weekly Activities
Sister Clear Grace
Sister True Moon of Clear Grace received her novice ordination in the Plum Village Vietnamese Zen tradition headed by the Venerable Thich Nhat Hanh. She is a member of the Care Taking Council for the Earth Holder Community which is a mindful Earth/Social justice initiative in the Plum Village Community of Engaged Buddhism.She is also a Core member for the ARISE Sangha (Awakening through Race, Intersectionality, and Social Equity) a community of mindfulness practitioners and monastics who come together to heal the wounds of racial injustice and social inequity, beginning with looking deeply within ourselves and using the energy of compassion, understanding, and love in action. She has recently left Deer Park Monastery to take refuge in Heartwood’s intentional community and the vision of its founders.
The Dharma has been her greatest source of insight and transformation to heal from injustices of all kinds. It has helped her to learn truths and unlearn deeply embedded beliefs that have kept her away from the liberation of such sufferings in her daily life. She wishes to integrate these skills, understandings, wisdom traditions and worldviews in her intention for contributing to the ending of suffering for all beings. Mindfulness meditation and the dharma are ideal for transforming suffering, particularly the trauma of oppression and its many vicissitudes-where the chains around our minds and hearts can be broken and dissolved. With True Love and Inclusiveness sister Clear Grace wishes to further break through the illusions that these opinions and beliefs are internalized and ways in which they are presenting themselves in our dharma communities.
Maureen Hall, D.C., FIAMA, Healing Continuum Director
Dr. Maureen Hall is the retired clinical director and President of Inspiration Center, Inc. She received her Doctor of Chiropractic degree and B.S. degree in human biology from Logan College of Chiropractic. She received the award of excellence from Logan’s Clinical Science Division and the Basic Technique award from the Chiropractic Science division. She holds a B.S. degree in Psychology, is a fellow of the International Academy of Medical Acupuncture, holds Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction Mind-Body Medicine Certification (Jon Kabat-Zinn), is a Spirit Rock Meditation Center Community Dharma Leader and ordained Dharmacharya in Pannavati’s lineage.