Worldly relationships between people, partners, friends, family, colleagues, may be fraught with challenges, attachments, desire, and expectations. Drawing on examples from the Buddha’s life and disciples, this talk will explore a different kind of relationship, based on spiritual friendship and great love, that transcends the worldly entanglements that often causes rifts in our relationships with others. About the Teacher: Ven. (​Ayya​) Tathaloka ​Ther​i is an American-born Theravada ​bhikkhuni​, ​meditative ​scholar and Buddhist teacher. Ayya Tathaloka began pursuing monastic life at age 19. She has studied in Europe, India,​ South Korea, Thailand and other countries, and has taught around the world​ for the public, in monasteries east and west, and in Sangha Universities in ​both​ South Korea and Thailand​. Ayya​ Tathaloka​ is the ​co-​founder of Dhammadharini ​Monastery and the​ Aranya Bodhi Hermitage​ in Northern California​, recipient of the 2006 Outstanding Women in Buddhism Award at the United Nations in Thailand​, and served as preceptor for the first samaneri and bhikkhuni ordinations in Theravada traditions in Australia in 2008 and 2009. Ayya is also​ author of​ the article “Lasting Inspiration,​” ​ relevant to this talk,​available for free download here: http://www.bhikkhuni.net/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/Lasting-Inspiration.pdf ​ More of her teachings can be found at dhammadharini.net