We headed off the highway down some country roads and ended up in a small farming community called Onalaska. Onalaska is the location of the Northwestern Vipassana Center, “Dhamma Kunja,” and here we were to spend the next 3 days serving a course that was already in session. This would be our first time on this trip serving during a course. The center is located on beautiful land with a spectacular view of Mount St. Helen’s. We met John, the center manager, at the gate and were snuck quietly into the center so as to not disturb the meditating students. After our introductions to the other servers, we immediately started working in the kitchen. Serving is very busy work; we are constantly preparing (vegetarian) meals, serving meals, cleaning up and starting all over again. It is 5am-9pm job and we do get breaks, especially to meditate.
Serving is a very fulfilling work. The Vipassana centers are run only on student donations and volunteer workers. It is free to attend a course and only at the conclusion you may give a donation or come back to volunteer. We were more than happy to help out and to help in the spread of Dhamma.
BE HAPPY!
2 responses so far ↓
Jason, Patricia and Isaac // July 5, 2009 at 6:25 am |
Hi, guys, love, love following your trip. The pictures from the coast are really pretty and Isaac said, ‘Awesome’ when he saw your map.
Jon // July 5, 2009 at 7:49 am |
Awww. Thanks for following us! We are in Missoula now, but are leaving for Glacier National Park this morning.