EIAB close from now until April 14.

EIAB close from now until April 14.

Dear Beloved Community,

Aware of the recent coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak in Europe, and the growing number of cases in Germany, we have taken the difficult decision to close the EIAB  to the public, from now until May 05.

We will review and update this decision over the coming weeks as the situation evolves. 

We will continue to take registrations for the time beginning April 15. However, we advise against booking flights and travel until nearer the time, when we have more information about the situation. It is uncertain how this virus outbreak will develop and what  theGerman government and the international health institutions will recommend. We will do our best to inform everyone as soon as possible.

Concerning your payments:

Full refunds will be given to all those who have already registered and paid.   

However, this is a difficult financial situation for the EIAB and therefore we would like to ask you if you could think of one of the two other options:

- to use the money you have paid already for a future course at the eiab

- to donate this money or part of it to the EIAB.

Looking Deeply

We recognise that, as a spiritual community and a place of refuge, we have a social responsibility to protect the wellbeing, safety, and happiness of our visiting guests and our monastic community. We also wish to support the spirit of recommendations currently being proposed by the German Government, namely to avoid unnecessary travel and large gatherings.

In the EIAB we create rare conditions for communal togetherness, including shared meals and shared accommodation—living together as a spiritual community. These are precious experiences that allow us all to feel part of the human family, and to build connections, trust, and closeness. Unfortunately, in the current situation, this communal aspect of the EIAB makes us unusually vulnerable to the transmission of this virus.  During the course of 2019 we received over 3.521 guests at our courses and retreats – counting only those who stayed overnight and not including all those who came for Days of Mindfulness and special events.

Non-local Collective Practice

As a community we are taking this opportunity to pause and reflect on the state of our planet and the reality of our interbeing. Over the next weeks, our monastic sangha will be continuing to live simply, reducing unnecessary travel, and continuing our studies, training, and practice, as well as our mindful work to prepare the EIAB for re-opening in Mid-April.  Although presently conditions are not sufficient for us to welcome you here to practice with us now, we hope that you will have a chance to make the most of the situation to take time to pause, slow down, and simplify your lives, taking opportunities to rest, spend time in nature, and take care of yourselves and your loved ones.

Always Connected

Aware of the importance of supporting and nourishing our collective practice in these challenging times, we are exploring online ways to continue to share our teachings with all of you.

We send our thoughts and prayers to those around the world facing suffering and difficulty in these moments, and look forward to the chance to welcome you back in the EIAB in the near future. May all of us as a species use this opportunity to wake up to our shared humanity, our shared vulnerability, and to nourish our compassion and tolerance, and not our fear and discrimination. 

A lotus for you,

The Monks and Nuns of the EIAB

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