Aug.’26 – Summer Reflections & Upcoming Retreat

Aug 18, 2026 | News

Hello Clear Mountaineers!

 

This summer has been especially bright with our fourth annual Almsgiving ceremony bringing together our community with 17 Buddhist monastics, visits from our Thai Elders, and several retreats (you can see photos here). After a busy season of events, Ajahn Kovilo and Ajahn Nisabho plan to enter a month of retreat in August before moving to the new monastery land in North Bend, WA. Throughout the month of August, the Clear Mountain monastics will offer an increased daily schedule of Zoom meditations that you may join online (7 hours)! And, as one more blessing of the season, Tricycle magazine just published an article about Clear Mountain. Read on for more Clear Mountain news and upcoming events.

 

Wishing peace and joy to all beings.

 

Table of Contents

 

 

Clear Mountain in Tricycle Magazine

Clear Mountain Monastery was recently featured in Tricycle: The Buddhist Review as we settle in to our new home in North Bend. Ajahn Kovilo and Ajahn Nisabho spoke with Matthew Gindin for his article, “A Monastery Grows in North Bend: Spiritual hunger, interfaith coalitions, and the ‘New Gandhara’ of the West Coast,” discussing the founding of Clear Mountain, spiritual culture in Seattle, and the importance of interfaith friendship and community-building. A special thanks to Steve Wilhelm for initiating the article.

Read the Article
 

New Summer ‘26 Photo Album: Almsgiving Ceremony, Visiting Elders, and More!

From our annual Almsgiving Ceremony featuring seventeen monastics, to the start of monastery renovations, to visits from our beloved Thai elders—this summer has been a season of gratitude, rejoicing, and sunlight. Join us!

View Photo Album
 

Clear Mountain Month-Long Retreat: Monastics Enter a Month of Formal Practice (with special Zoom meditation times!)

 

Throughout August, Ajahn Kovilo and Ajahn Nisabho will observe a month-long period of retreat. The Buddha praised periods of solitude as special opportunities to cultivate formal practice, and such periods represent a central support for the monastic life. At least one monastic will still be present for most Saturday Gatherings, Wednesday Evening sessions, and Sunday “Mission Majjhima!” study group sessions, but access to them outside of those times will be limited.

For the month-long period of retreat, Mon. Aug. 3 – Wed. Aug. 26, morning and evening Zoom meditations have been extended, and a new, midday meditation session added, for seven hours of group meditation each weekday (4-7 am, 10 am-12 pm, 3:45-5:45 pm) with an alternate schedule on weekends. See you there!

Daily Zoom Meditation (Retreat Special!)
 

August 1: First Clear Mountain Community Work Party!

Join us for our first work party at Clear Mountain Monastery (15901 Cedar Falls Road SE, North Bend, WA) as we come together in the spirit of generosity, community and service, 1-3 pm PT on Saturday, Aug. 1 (after the usual Saturday morning gathering).

 

Together we will care for the monastery grounds and buildings through trail cleaning, trail building, forestry, construction, painting, cleaning, landscaping, land stewardship and other seasonal projects. Every trail we clean, every piece of wood we paint, every tree we tend and every task we complete helps create a place of refuge where members can practice Dhamma and help maintain a peaceful place for the monastics and the community. Though you are welcome to meet at 1 pm on the land, many will first attend the Saturday morning gathering before driving out afterwards.

Learn More
 

September 20-26: Weeklong Meditation Retreat with Ayya Anandabodhi and Ajahn Kovilo at Bellingham Insight (In-Person on Samish Island)

Both-And: Exploring the Internal, External, & That Which Goes Beyond

Join Ayya Anandabodhi and Ajahn Kovilo for this 6-night, 7-day residential retreat, hosted by Bellingham Insight Meditation Society (BIMS) on Samish Island. The retreat will be held from Sunday, September 20th to Saturday, September 26th at the Camp Samish retreat facility.

 

The Buddha’s teachings invite us to look closely at our experience—not just what happens within us, but how we interface with the world around us, and the freedom of integrating, harmonizing, and feeling through both worlds. This retreat aims to bridge these dimensions by integrating deep internal knowing, relational or environmental awareness, and meditations that point toward the unconditioned. By exploring this “both-and” nature of practice, we can cultivate a spacious presence and profound insight, enriching our spiritual journey and overall well-being.

Register with BIMS
 

 

Clear Mountain “Want to Move Near the Monastery?” (Networking & Support Quarterly Zoom Session & WhatsApp Group)

Want to live near the new Clear Mountain property in North Bend, WA? Connect with other Clear Mountaineers interested in moving near the monastery through our quarterly “Networking & Support” Zoom sessions, 6-7 pm PT on the 1st Monday of January, April, July, & October.

 

Along with joining the quarterly Zoom session, those hoping to connect with others interested in moving near the monastery may join the “Want to Move near the Monastery? (Networking & Support) WhatsApp Group“, fill out the online interest form, and visit the community and connect in-person!

Learn More