Samasuri - Spinning Around a Golden Thread (Fifty Years, Fifty Voices Full Interview)

In this latest episode of the Buddhist Voices podcast, we take a deep dive into the life and transformative journey of our guest, Dharmachari Samasuri. Our guest's journey began whilst struggling her way through medical school in London. Sharing a house with long time friend Karunamati when she found herself on the brink of a breakdown. 

Amidst the backdrop of Glastonbury Festival, she fondly remembers marching up to the Buddhafield tent to learn meditation. Having grown up in South Devon, Samasauri has always had a strong connection with nature, and the mythic dimension of practice. The warmth of the people she encountered, the sense of belonging, and the unique enchantment of rituals led by Varabhadri on her inaugural retreat with the London Buddhist Centre resonate vividly in her memory. 

The narrative expands further as we delve into Samasuri’s experiences on Buddhafield family retreats. Embracing the chaos of being on retreat with her two children and finding extraordinary ways to integrate practice into her family routines. These retreats not only impacted her but also nurtured a sense of Dharma practice within her children, offering them glimpses into the mythic realm and ethical living.

Satyalila gracefully opens up the challenges of being a parent within our movement in the past as Samasuri shares in her own experience of deciding to become a mother and the strong upsurge of maternal instinct that arose in her early 30’s. Describing needing to seek wider support from the Steiner movement.

The episode concludes with a reflection on her yidam, Mamaki, the yellow female buddha of the east and the resonance with her ordained name, meaning "equanimous heroine". Evoking a powerful connection. As Samasuri navigates her spiritual journey, equanimity has become an important guiding principle, embracing abundance without getting overwhelmed.

From an interview conducted for the Fifty Years, Fifty Voices project, our online project to document 50+ years of people’s commitment and practice within the Triratna Buddhist Order around the world.

Listen on The Buddhist Centre Online

Visit the dedicated site for Fifty Years, Fifty Voices

Read more about Season Two of Fifty Years, Fifty Voices

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Our long form podcast, featuring full-length interviews from Fifty Years, Fifty Voices, and other great in-depth conversations with Buddhists from around the world. Inspiring stories that illuminate for modern times the Buddha’s example of how to live and find true freedom.