Sangha House NOLA by Lexie Wolf
I’m in New Orleans visiting my Dad, and this morning had the great joy of paying a visit to my friend Venerable Sister Clear Grace Dayananda. Some of you will remember Venerable as we hosted them for a wonderful weekend retreat at our studio in 2022. I learned today that a couple of you are still in communication – how wonderful to hear.
During that time Sister Clear Grace - a Buddhist Nun/Monk who went by the name “Traveling Nunk,” traveled the country with their sweet cat Upeksha (“equanimity”) in a camper van they fitted out themselves by watching YouTube videos. They shared what food and clothing they could obtain (all from donations) with individuals in homeless encampments and on the streets. Most of all they shared love, kindness and wisdom. Rolling through the poorest communities in this troubled country of ours, they saw and heard the unseen and unheard among us.
Last year they heard the call to settle down in New Orleans where they’d lived before entering the monastery. I was excited to hear that Venerable was taking their loving action to Tremé – the oldest and most storied black community in America and a place of enormous cultural significance. A place for revolutionaries and trailblazers, like Sister Clear Grace.
In just one year, Venerable and a handful of volunteers have created a uniquely welcoming sanctuary & meditation center - from scratch. Sangha House NOLA is housed in a modest but warm and inviting New Orleans shotgun cottage. There Venerable shares the teachings of the Dharma in their uniquely modern, accessible and inclusive way, offering wisdom, support, and a path to liberation from the inside out.
Venerable had messages for me this morning that I needed to hear. As we sat in the sunny kitchen of Sangha House, their deep compassion and wise guidance landed in my heart. We talked of the work of clearing karma from oppressive and oppressed ancestors and ending cycles of suffering for our families. They explained why it was so important to approach activism and social justice from love rather than anger. We shared our experiences of creating community and the struggle to maintain our practices while holding space. We talked of my hopes for making Yoga Garden more inclusive and accessible.
As you might be able to tell, Venerable Sister Clear Grace Dayananda is one of my heroes as well as friend and great Teacher.
If you feel called to make any contribution to Sangha House NOLA, I will be most pleased to match your contribution (please mention Yoga Garden in the comment box). While I’ve never lived in New Orleans, I have deep roots there going back generations and lots of family. Supporting this work is part of my personal ancestral healing journey. I’m grateful to have been given this opportunity.
