The Lavender Project: A Treasure Trove of Holistic Well-Being Practices to Calm the Mind, Soothe the Heart, and Nourish the Soul.
Finding that special place.
In a hidden nook of the world, where the sun kisses the earth with a warm embrace, lies a special garden of lavender—a sanctuary where dreams whisper through the petals and the air is tinged with serenity. Here, the gentle hum of bees dances alongside the soft rustle of leaves, creating a symphony of nature that cradles the soul.
This is my journey, my mission, my purpose "it's never to late". Finding this special place to live feels like a reunion with my true self. The garden will be a canvas for creativity, inspiring thoughts to blossom like the lavender flowers themselves. A place to share with others , a place of healing, for rest and rejuvenation.
In this haven, you cultivate not just plants but dreams—each lavender sprig a symbol of hope, each gust of wind a gentle nudge toward your aspirations. You find joy in the simple act of tending to the garden, nurturing life and watching it flourish. The connection to nature grounds you, while the beauty surrounding you ignites your spirit, fueling creativity and purpose.
This special garden of lavender becomes more than just a place to live; it transforms into a sanctuary for the heart and mind, a retreat where inspiration flows freely, and every moment is a reminder of the extraordinary magic that lies in the embrace of nature.
The Dharma
The Journey back to where it all began ... it's never to late.
"It's never too late to begin again; even on a deathbed, people find connection and peace. Though it is better to find that connection when we are alive and in a position to create a healing process that will lead us to enjoying life, benefiting from what life has to give us in a positive, supportive way, as opposed to living in a detrimental, negative existence."
My journey has brought me back to where it all started twenty-four years ago: back to the Sangha, where I experienced profound healing through learning meditation and practicing the teachings of the Dharma (Buddhism). Not that I ever stopped practicing the Dharma when I separated from this Sangha; I continued with other organizations and went very deep when I ordained as a Theravada monk in Thailand. I ordained within the Dhammakaya Order, where I experienced deep devotion and discipline. We were expected to aspire to follow 227 precepts in this temple, which were viewed as rules and regulations.
Life with the Dhammakayas was a mixed experience of being a monk, a lay meditation teacher running an international retreat center, and becoming a spiritual garden designer for the temple. I couldn’t be a simple gardener, as it is forbidden for a non-Thai citizen to have this role, which would have revoked my visa. Unfortunately, my experience ended very negatively, and I returned to the UK in November 2014, suffering from PTSD and distancing myself from organized Buddhism. However, I kept the Dharma alive within me.
In November 2024, I had another negative experience while living in Plymouth, being involved with someone who was not good for me. This experience reignited my desire to reconnect with the path of practicing Buddhism, going back to using rituals as a way to bridge that missing link. That flame became brighter, lighting a path back to where I started with the Friends of the Western Buddhist Order, (Triratna) twenty four years ago, "It's never too late."
And this time it's not a cult.