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Atomic Habits by James Clear was discussed in relation to the spiritual path by Ayya Karunika at the book club on Saturday, 24th May 2025.

Ayya explored how the concept of the “aggregation of marginal gains” (p. 13) can be used to enhance our daily practice. She offered a brief yet insightful overview of the four laws of behavior change (pp. 43–55), showing how they can support the cultivation of wholesome habits while helping us abandon unwholesome ones. She also introduced practical strategies such as habit stacking (pp. 72–79) as effective methods for integrating the Buddha’s teachings into daily routine. In addition, she explained in detail how to apply the noble eightfold path in daily life and discussed the importance of focusing on systems rather than goals (pp. 23–28) in order to achieve better results in meditation and to strengthen overall progress on the spiritual path.

Bhikkhuni Ayya Kārunikā is currently the senior resident monastic at Santi Forest Monastery, NSW, Australia and the spiritual director for New Zealand Bhikkhuni Sangha Trust, Hamilton. She has been in monastic life for over 14 years and she received her full ordination as a bhikkhunī in 2014 at Dhammasara Nuns monastery in Western Australia where she lived and trained for over a decade with Ajahn Hāsapaññā. She has been a student of Ajahn Brahm and Ajahn Brahmali for over 2 decades.

Ayya Kārunikā is able to articulate the Buddhist teachings in a way that is practical and comprehensible to people of all ages and has experience in conducting retreats for both adults and youth. While she has a PhD in Microbiology and worked as a scientist, she has also been the building project manager for the construction of the Dhammasara Nuns Monastery main building complex and has worked with many volunteers over the years. Ayya Kārunikā was born in Sri Lanka but has been living and working in Australia for over 2 decades.

She has a passion to share her experience and knowledge and loves working with people and also doing creative projects. She is dedicated to supporting the growth of Bhikkhunis around the world and is currently involved in projects to support the establishment of places for Bhikkhunis in Theravada forest tradition in Australia, New Zealand, Poland and Sri Lanka. 

Please visit the Santi Forest Youtube Channel and Santi Forest Monastery website

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