noun: spirit; plural noun: spirits
- the non-physical part of a person which is the seat of emotions and character; the soul.
- the prevailing or typical quality, mood, or attitude of a person, group, or period of time.
I was brought up in a secular household, where success was measured by what our culture says it is: money, status, intelligence, appearances and prioritising pleasure. Landing in London my twenties as with interesting and well-paid work, my own flat, private healthcare and sufficient income to go on multiple holidays each year, I found myself deeply unhappy. I knew in my bones that something essential was missing. This led to an exploration of what lies beneath the surface in the liminal spaces of the body, psyche, heart and mind: an uncovering of spirit. I spent several years in weekly psychotherapy, attended many personal development courses and workshops, practiced yoga intensively in India, Crete, the US and the UK, sat over 30 silent meditation retreats including a few of 21 days, underwent shamanic rituals including vision quests and an African forest initiation. I moved into work that held meaning for me: teaching my beloved yoga for 15 years, and when health issues meant I could no longer do that full-time, training leaders in the social enterprise and healthcare fields, running an international retreats company, and offering coaching as a space to reflect and develop on personal and professional levels.
While I do not believe a spiritual journey ever ends I find myself today drawn to encouraging and supporting others on the path, particularly those who may be in their early years of exploration. I have faced, and overcome, many obstacles on the physical, mental/ego and emotional levels including multiple surgeries, burnout, breast cancer and bereavement, and know that, at the times when you feel stuck, alone or dispirited, help from someone else on the path can be invaluable. Some shamanic and intensive meditation or yoga practices, being powerful transformers of energy, can lead to awe-inspiring insights into the fabric of reality and also, sometimes simultaneously, leave you feeling shattered and overwhelmed. If you would like to share your experiences I am happy to be a loving witness and, if appropriate, guide with sensitivity, tenderness and the empathy of someone who has been there myself.
Today my main teacher is Lama Tsultrim, head of the Tibetan Vajrayana Buddhist lineage of Tara Mandala, where I am a member of the Magyu (Mother Lineage) long-term programme. I also convene the Tara Mandala sangha (practice community) in Devon. I am also extremely grateful to Lama Lena who continues to shine the light of Dzogchen wisdom and supported me through some dark times, the many other Buddhist teachers who have guided and supported me, Clive Sheridan and Bridget Woods-Kramer who embodied for me the heart of yoga, Ram Chatlani and Burgs for many years of patient meditation instruction and retreats, Abby Daniels and Shri K. Pattabhi Jois for introducing me to the discipline and beauty of yoga at the very beginning of my journey; and the many other beings of all realms who have guided me towards compassion and wisdom, whether or not I thought I wanted it at that moment. It has all been a gift.