THE LIONESS OF THE DESERT
Ruth Dennison
Ruth is nearly 90, and after repeated falls in which she broke her legs and hips several times, she leads us around the property with no cane nor walker. Her will and determination, like the Marines next door, is almost unshakable, and she tells us how for months she focused her meditative attention on each step until she could walk again. She seems to live and breathe Dharma, every difficulty and joy is a teaching, an opportunity to embody fearless and compassionate presence. She talks about being close to death in the hospital, and how after willing her breath to continue, she then had to surrender, and let go to see if her breath would continue on its own. It did. I think the King of Death found her a little too feisty to take yet.
Ruth’s bodhisattva spirit has wedded her to a life of natural unstinting service, and until this year she has continuously led retreats in the desert and at all the major Vipassana centers since their beginning. Over the years, whoever came to Dhamma Dena, ardent seekers and Buddhist nuns, homeless people and mental patients, all were embraced. Ruth respected their spirit, and fed them the medicine of the Dharma, expecting discipline, courage and lovingkindness. Her teachings were demanding and dignified and continuous. She taught that awakening and freedom of spirit is possible here and now. You can find freedom in yourself wherever you are. The Buddha called these teachings of awakening The Lion’s Roar. In the Lioness of the Desert you can still hear the Buddha’s timeless voice.
So appreciate your words and stories wherever I find them. This was an inspiring recognition and reminder. Thank you.
Thank you, very beautiful and nourishing post. It is an example for all of us.
Today, sitting on a bus, I was reading the Path with Heart. I’ve been dipping in and out of the book for the past couple of months – just as I’ve been dipping in and out of spiritual practice since I was 16 ( I’m 54 now)…
Suddenly – like a lion’s roar, I found these words “Bring me a teacher – I need a teacher – I deserve a teacher”. I really felt these words. They just welled up in me and I felt like I was shouting them with all my strength. I wasn’t though – they were yelled silently inside me. Then I cried a little (quietly – I was on a bus). Then tonight, a friend said -’Oh look – Jack Kornfield has a website, a facebook page, a blog…”, so I looked and here I am now writing this.
What does this mean? Are you my teacher far away? Or do you have a suggestion for me?? I am in Scotland, in June I’ll be in Sri Lanka, in July I’ll be in Tamil Nadu, in August, I’l be back in Scotland. I come and go frequently these days between these countries ( and Australia sometimes too). Very busy, no? But no teacher – I need a teacher, I want a teacher and I deserve to find my teacher. Will it happen? Do you think it will happen – is my teacher somewhere? Where is my teacher? Do you think that if I meditate more, my teacher will find me – or I will find my teacher? I want to help to tend the garden, I want to love the earth and everyone in it but I think I need to find a teacher to help me. I still have a long time to go before I’m 90 – there’s time but now would be good. ROAR!!!!!!!
This blog on Ruth Denison again brings to the public the benefits of meditation…Harrison Hoblitzell introduced me to Vipassana practice in 1972 and i will be forever grateful to the Ruth Denisons of the world.Thanks to all the dharma teachers particularily my first IMS teacher Larry Rosenberg namaste` derrmott murphy
nice to read about Ruth – one of my first teachers, liberating the sit, sit, sit, sit, do your knees in – into sit, ‘dance darhling – dance!’
sabbe mangalam – all blessings to you Ruth..
I took a silent 7day retreat with Ruth in Barre, MA, some years ago. Even in the silence you could hear her roar.
Leonore
Ruth Denison was my 1st Buddhist meditation teacher. In the early 1980′s, immersing myself in a week long residential retreat led by Ruth was/is one of the epiphany experiences of my life. I am ever grateful for the Dharma she introduced my heart and mind to. The Path then led to you Jack, Spirit Rock and all the many blessed teachers on the continuing journey.
Deep bow, Metta,
Janice Clarfield
I did a retreat in Barre, MA about 15 years ago with Ruth. It was such a powerful experience. I will never forget it and I have been forever changed by this lovely lioness
I am currently reading a book about her called “Dancing In The Dharma”. It so brings me back to that retreat and to Ruth’s energy. I am loving it! Going thru some real tough times lately and along with them has been the guidance and comfort I so long for. This morning, while getting ready for work, a picture of a ‘lion’ just seemed to call out to me. I knew it was a sign of a spiritual gift for me today and then I am hear reading this later in the day. Wonderful ! Blessings to all seekers and the gifts they find. Thank you Ruth – I Love you , Debra