Rosemary and Steve
Rosemary (b. Australia 1952) and Steve (b. U.S.A. 1949) have been practicing meditation since 1972, and have received instruction from many of the leading Buddhist meditation teachers of Thailand, Burma, Sri Lanka, India, Australia, England and the United States.
In 1978, they developed a deep connection to the Buddha's teaching as represented in the Theravadin tradition. This occurred because the Buddha's teachings and practices resonated strongly with what they had learned from their close connection with nature and alternate lifestyles. This was deepened by participating in intensive retreats in the Theravadin tradition.
With the wish to learn more, they traveled to Thailand in 1979. They had the good fortune of being able to visit and practice with many famous Thai meditation teachers. It was during this trip that they were greatly influenced by one particular teacher who stressed the importance of having compassion, not only for others, but also for ourselves.
Upon returning to Australia, they tried to integrate their practice in active involvement in the community they had founded in 1977; building, organic gardening and farming, developing cottage industries in Arts and Crafts.
Realizing the need for periodic withdrawal from activities into silent contemplation, they also continued attending meditation retreats, which included practice in Australia, Burma, the U.S.A. and Thailand.
In 1986, the importance of the meditative path deepened in their life so - ignoring comments that they were crazy to leave their home, land and their business, they had worked so hard to develop - they sold everything and decided to devote their life more fully to the Buddha's teaching.
After traveling to the U.S.A., Thailand and India - visiting teachers, practicing, and going into retreat - they settled in Thailand, living and practicing in many monasteries.
In late 1987, they traveled to Wat Kow Tahm, intending only to do three weeks of personal practice there. Since they carried with them a letter of introduction from a prominent abbot of another monastery, Mae Chee Ahmon welcomed them enthusiastically. Recognizing their practice level, it was not long before she asked them to teach the many tourists who wanted to learn meditation.
As the number of people seeking instruction grew, Mae Chee Ahmon asked Steve and Rosemary if they would teach formal retreats, and they began teaching 10-day retreats in 1988.
Even though the programs at Wat Kow Tahm absorb most of their time and energy, they also travel yearly to Singapore and Europe to teach retreats and/or workshops.
Understanding the necessity to not only help others but also themselves, Rosemary and Steve withdraw from responsibility and go into personal retreat for a month each year.
Stressed highly among Steve and Rosemary's teaching is the development of Compassionate Understanding.