Andy's Story
Growing up in the suburbs of London and progressing through language studies at University I couldn’t help feeling there was something more to life than the conventional path laid out ahead. As far as conventional careers were concerned I had no sense of what I really wanted to do.
Discovering Selflessness
At the Age of 21 I picked up a book from the local library and started learning to meditate. I was immediately struck by the availability of a depth and spaciousness simply by sitting and allowing the mind to settle. I started meditating as much as I could every day. Then during a year of studies in France, the play of circumstances put me in touch with Buddhist friends and teachers from the Tibetan tradition. I started to investigate this philosophy further and discovered a wisdom beyond mere morality that points to our innermost nature being naturally joyful, selfless and compassionate...
In '97 I went to visit a friend in a Buddhist monastery in central France. Deeply touched by the place, the people, their simplicity and enthusiasm, the Tibetan lamas and their warmth, it wasn't long before I moved there permanently. I embarked on a traditional contemplative training, studied Tibetan texts, took monastic vows and from 2001 to 2004 accomplished a 3-year group meditation retreat.
Discovering Selflessness
At the Age of 21 I picked up a book from the local library and started learning to meditate. I was immediately struck by the availability of a depth and spaciousness simply by sitting and allowing the mind to settle. I started meditating as much as I could every day. Then during a year of studies in France, the play of circumstances put me in touch with Buddhist friends and teachers from the Tibetan tradition. I started to investigate this philosophy further and discovered a wisdom beyond mere morality that points to our innermost nature being naturally joyful, selfless and compassionate...
In '97 I went to visit a friend in a Buddhist monastery in central France. Deeply touched by the place, the people, their simplicity and enthusiasm, the Tibetan lamas and their warmth, it wasn't long before I moved there permanently. I embarked on a traditional contemplative training, studied Tibetan texts, took monastic vows and from 2001 to 2004 accomplished a 3-year group meditation retreat.
Rediscovering My Self
After over ten years devoted to exploring selflessness, this began to no longer feel authentic. There was a conflict between the external information I was receiving about the life I “should” be living and the subtle, yet compelling inner voice of the life that deep down, I felt was mine for the taking. Eventually I had to acknowledge my desire to 'come back down to earth', to embrace the messiness and challenges of life in society, in relationship, and most of all to find my unique gift to others and the world.
In 2009 returning to my hometown of London there was no disappointment as far as challenges were concerned!
A ten year gap in my CV, financial difficulties and relationships that didn't work out ensued. All the messy ingredients were still there exactly where I'd left them! But somehow, so were the opportunities. I set up as a freelance translator and without letting go of my interest in spirituality I got to work reintegrating the parts of myself that had been exiled during the years of monasticism! A major tool that helped with this was training in Voice Dialogue, a fantastic method (which I now facilitate) that allows us to re-own the inner qualities we may feel we lack. Through studying and training in this I came to realise that a healthy, functional human being is someone who embraces and integrates every “inner voice.” Everything in us has a natural role to play. The problems we face in life are almost always a reflection of an inner quality we've failed to embrace.
The "We" adventure
This same principle that makes an individual healthy and functional is also true for larger groups and society itself. In the last couple of years my attention has turned to working with the understanding that every person in society has something important to offer and has a need to contribute and have their voice heard. The current crises in our businesses, families, economies and environment are increasingly pushing us to the realisation that we can't make it alone. We need each other. This recognition got me involved in various kinds of social activism and a project convening 'Deep Democracy' conversations and workshops in collaboration with Relationship Systems coaches.
My work encompasses Mindfulness Meditation (attention training), conventional life coaching and facilitating group processes that foster a sense of ‘collective intelligence’, alignment and empathy.
Whatever tools are used the principle is always the same: our shared awareness brings forth natural insights and together we make progress.
The journey itself has become a resource that means I can support you:
After over ten years devoted to exploring selflessness, this began to no longer feel authentic. There was a conflict between the external information I was receiving about the life I “should” be living and the subtle, yet compelling inner voice of the life that deep down, I felt was mine for the taking. Eventually I had to acknowledge my desire to 'come back down to earth', to embrace the messiness and challenges of life in society, in relationship, and most of all to find my unique gift to others and the world.
In 2009 returning to my hometown of London there was no disappointment as far as challenges were concerned!
A ten year gap in my CV, financial difficulties and relationships that didn't work out ensued. All the messy ingredients were still there exactly where I'd left them! But somehow, so were the opportunities. I set up as a freelance translator and without letting go of my interest in spirituality I got to work reintegrating the parts of myself that had been exiled during the years of monasticism! A major tool that helped with this was training in Voice Dialogue, a fantastic method (which I now facilitate) that allows us to re-own the inner qualities we may feel we lack. Through studying and training in this I came to realise that a healthy, functional human being is someone who embraces and integrates every “inner voice.” Everything in us has a natural role to play. The problems we face in life are almost always a reflection of an inner quality we've failed to embrace.
The "We" adventure
This same principle that makes an individual healthy and functional is also true for larger groups and society itself. In the last couple of years my attention has turned to working with the understanding that every person in society has something important to offer and has a need to contribute and have their voice heard. The current crises in our businesses, families, economies and environment are increasingly pushing us to the realisation that we can't make it alone. We need each other. This recognition got me involved in various kinds of social activism and a project convening 'Deep Democracy' conversations and workshops in collaboration with Relationship Systems coaches.
My work encompasses Mindfulness Meditation (attention training), conventional life coaching and facilitating group processes that foster a sense of ‘collective intelligence’, alignment and empathy.
Whatever tools are used the principle is always the same: our shared awareness brings forth natural insights and together we make progress.
The journey itself has become a resource that means I can support you:
- On the level of Selflessness, fostering the increasingly vital qualities of Empathy and Mental Calm.
- In Self-Awareness, finding and pursuing your goals, dreams and purpose. Reintegrating the qualities you feel you lack.
- By facilitating A Sense of "WE" - natural, harmonious alignment in groups, communities and relationships.
