Virginia Craft

As a philomath in the school of life, Virginia (a.k.a. Sitatara) has gained much experience through an ever-deepening connection to the natural world and its myriad inhabitants. At the age of eighteen, while seeking truth and meaning in life, she discovered Buddhism and began her journey of meditation. She went on to complete her BA in Philosophy with a minor in Creative Writing before embarking on adventures and autodidactic study while roaming the world. Long-distance pursuits taught her the art of steadfastness and zeal, as she rode her bicycle across the US and completed a thru-hike of the Appalachian Trail, both in one fell swoop. This determination and enthusiasm carried through to more challenging, technical adventures which involved backpacking off-trail “high routes” through the mountains.

Both the grit and forbearance needed to complete these ventures became a robust foundation for her Buddhist practice, as these were pursuits not merely of the physical body, but also of the mind. Living outside in the simplicity of nature supported her draw toward an eremitical lifestyle, which sustained ongoing meditation practice and greater compassion for all beings. In between adventures, she lived off-grid and homesteaded in Big Sur, California, nestled in balance between the vast ocean and precipitous mountains. In March of 2022, she moved to Miyo Samten Ling to fulfill the role as the Caretaker for the long-term retreatants undergoing intensive shamatha retreat. She currently resides there with her husband, Aaron Taylor, and their dog, Azul.