Life is a wondrous journey, full of twists and turns, highs and lows, experiences both good and bad, all there to teach us something special.  They all make us who we are.  My life so far has been a big adventure, an opportunity to grow and evolve and increasingly open my heart and mind to something far greater than my insignificant ego ever thought was possible.  

It was at about the age of twelve that I began to realise that the most important things in life aren’t those that can be measured or observed.  It was around the same time that I realised that something far greater than the endless chatter of an active mind was driving me.  Fast forward four years and it was yoga that initially shone a light on the beauty present in every moment, there for us to discover if only we became still enough and open enough to listen.

At eighteen, I stumbled across a poster at University: ‘Learn to meditate’.  I thought I might as well give it a go.  It wasn’t easy at first and for anyone who thinks that their first sit will lead to blissful awakening, think again.  But what I can say is that in my 16 years of practice,   my inner being has shifted beyond recognition.  More on this in subsequent posts.

During this time I’ve been exposed to a wide range of ‘spiritual practices’ ranging from an exploration of almost every world religion, with a particular soft spot for Buddhism and the wisdom it has to offer.  Be it yoga, tai chi, meditation, dance, breathing exercises or nature walking, to me it doesn’t matter.  It’s not the path you take, but the very moment of practice that matters to me.  As far as I’m concerned, I cherish anything that leads to greater connection, inner peace, awareness, discovery, personal growth, truth and joy.

Everyone has their own path to follow, but one of my aims in this lifetime, in the great words of Gandhi is to ‘Be the change you want to see in the world’.  We can only do this by looking deep inside ourselves and following our heart’s calling, whatever this may be.

I’ve run workshops on issues as far ranging as well-being, mindfulness, life mandalas, life coach training, sustainable development, peer education, youth empowerment, meditation and Buddhism at festivals and retreats, whilst working for charities and travelling the globe.  I’m also a wandering poet, using spoken word to convey my message and take people on a journey towards their kindred spirit.  I’ve run retreats and spend lots of time walking in nature, my greatest teacher.

I’ve also travelled the globe, living in Africa for two and a half years, volunteering, initiating projects and learning so much from the inspiring, diverse and generous people I’ve met along the way.

To me it’s life’s diversity that enables my path to unfold. I’ve taught both kids and teenagers, have written a novel (unpublished), numerous poems and articles in international newspapers, hold a PhD from Cambridge (in Science, would you believe!) and now run a small charity which empowers citizens in Africa to create the changes they wish to see in their own lives and communities.  But it’s not what I’ve achieved but the intention behind it that I cherish.

Some would say I’m a massive paradox.  I laugh and sing, philosophise and work, dance and play.  I can be as much intellectual as I am dappy and ridiculous, as much playful as I am serious, zany as I am conventional.  We are all complex beings and I choose not to fit into a box but to express what comes from my heart moment to moment.

I hope I can inspire others to do the same…..perhaps.  And I suspect I will have a lot to learn from all of you along the way.