I am the Cook here, and have been since June 2008. Prior to that I had been living, practising and working at Gampo Abbey Nova Scotia in Canada. The Abbey is part of the Chogyam Trungpa and Pema Chodron, Shambala tradition. I spent over a year there, establishing a daily meditation and communal practice. That year was a tremendously moving and liberating time and, on leaving, I decided I wanted to go to another equally supportive Buddhist context.
I have been around the Triratna Buddhist Community since 1991. Luckily back in January 2008, a vacancy arose here at Vajraloka, and despite some trepidation about being a cook here, I jumped at the chance to come.
I feel I have very much landed in the exact right place at the exact right time, which is amazing for such a nomadic heart as mine. I cook for most of the retreats here, and am exploring how best I can participate and be cooking.
The community here is very warm friendly and supportive, and allows me space to explore the nature of my being in an understanding environment. The landscape is much more beautiful than I envisaged and the weather just reminds me each day that I’m thankfully not in the city.