Clear Mountain Monastery Project

The Monastery Begins: A 3-Month Countdown to Potential Land! | Clear Mountain Monks & Friends Board

Dec 25, 2025
Join Kim Tull-Esterbrook, Steve Wilhelm, Alison Thomas, and Nicole Jarosinski as they embark on an inspiring journey to establish Clear Mountain Monastery. They discuss their recent milestone of securing a potential 90-acre site near North Bend, highlighting the monastery's goals and phased development plan. The guests share insights on community involvement and fundraising efforts, revealing how listeners can contribute and support this meaningful project. Uncover the fascinating connections to the Thai Forest Tradition and the vision for a tranquil refuge accessible to the Seattle community.
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INSIGHT

Forest Tradition Roots And Ethos

  • The Thai Forest Tradition centers monastics living simply in forest huts and practicing meditation away from devices.
  • Ajahn Kovilo and Ajahn Nisabho bring this lineage's emphasis on solitude and nature to Clear Mountain's vision.
ADVICE

Keep Teachings Freely Available

  • Do not charge for teachings and rely on dana (generosity) as the primary support model.
  • Maintain purity of teaching while offering accessible, free refuge and instruction to the public.
INSIGHT

Middle-Path Location Strategy

  • The monastery aims to be close enough to Seattle for accessibility but remote enough for quiet practice.
  • This 'middle path' location strategy targets urban practitioners who need regular access to a forest refuge.
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