Who am I?

After studying for an HND in Applied Biology in 1981, I left UK and for some years travelled extensively. Having grown up partly in Malta and Uganda, I was keen to continue exploring, trying to make sense of my lifeand wanting to push my personal boundaries.

After discovering meditation in 1987, a revelation in terms of personal change, I later got ordained in 1992, at the age of 32. As a member of the Western Buddhist Order, I learned the value of friendship, and foundation principles and practices for personal and social change.

 I joined a company, Windhorse Trading in 1988, winner of the UK’s ‘Independent top 100 businesses’ of 6 years. My role ranged from worker to manager, and it was here I learned about a special form of team and leadership development, an ethical approach to work; Right Livelihood. It was also here I was able to appreciate and broaden my own development skills, apart from the Buddhist perspective, through Neuro Linguistic Programming (NLP), Development Behavioural Modelling (DBM), and management techniques, especially inspired by Stephen Covey.

More recently over the past 4 years, I have become a Certified trainer in Marshall Rosemberg’s Nonviolent Communication (NVC) - a process leading to a turning point in my own deepening and appreciation of communication, especially around quality of connection. I am also engaged in Eugene Gendlin’s approach to personal development through Focusing (www.focusinginstitute.org) – refining my skills in how to be with the inner dimension for a deepening transformation and meaning.

I moved from Cambridge, of 17 years, to the West Coast of Ireland in 2005. I was inspired to move because of the beauty and seclusion. I have a rich relationship with my partner Ann, here in Belmullet – and am blessed to have friends with whom I am still well connected with although there is some geographical distance (many of which still live in Cambridge).

I also offer a training and development consultancy, and am currently engaged in a mentoring project for the HSE in Galway (UGH). I also own a shop in the locality, Zen Hen, where all manner of jewellery is sold! I still find time to run three meditation classes and courses in the Mayo region (Belmullet, Ballina and Westport).

Finally, as I get to this point on the profile, I ask myself… what really matters to me? This might help you get a sense of who I am, what I stand for, not withstanding my own complexities and imperfections!

What I see reflected in those closer to me, I can identify with; kindness – a willingness to really look and see someone in the moment, to respond with genuineness and authenticity – with generosity. To appreciate the moments I have - in solitude, and in togetherness. Humour is important to me too, the light touch. Whilst religion is not important to me, a spiritual, in the present sensing and knowing, is, and in this respect I strive be connected to the mystery of life, to be open, to keep a sense of wonder and freshness.