Hello – my name is Cath and I am just two months into my new life at Taraloka as I write this in October ’24.
The path I have taken up to this point began in my early twenties when my Yoga teacher introduced me to the Metta Bhavana; a practice that has been a constant in my life since it first filled me with awe and wonder. Fast forward 35 years and I can see that there has been a thread of curiosity, Buddhist awareness and varying degrees of practice woven through my life since then. It could be said that I was taking a path of irregular steps!
Throughout my 20s 30s and 40s I was working full time as an actress. A profession the Buddha is said to have had concerns about! I had also trained to teach Yoga – and eventually in my mid 40s I left the performing arts and thoroughly embraced yoga teaching.
My first contact with Triratna was with my teacher Bodhin. My training as an MBSR teacher with him in 2013 propelled me into a Satipatthana retreat. This was a breakthrough moment. Bodhin suggested that on my return home, I find a centre and take steps to really explore my interest.
So, finally in my mid 50’s – I was able to fully engage with the Triratna Sangha in Southampton. After years of living just that bit too far away to attend, Covid happened and Zoom followed. I joined an on line study group and the wheels slowly started to roll. I became part of a sangha, I had the guidance support and love of spiritual friends and the wisdom and example of people who have been part of the Order for many years. The Dharma began to move me. I could sense it informing and guiding my experience of the present and I saw its light beginning to clarify and deepen my understanding of why I’ve done the things I have in my past.
Like many people, there are parts of my life that I could label as tragedy. I now know that those sufferings, far from being a dead end or something to reject, are in fact precious gifts – they are the portal to growth and freedom. And it was after a long period of painful letting go, that I realised it was time for me to somehow put my practice at the centre of my life. Instead of it being something I enjoy and do regularly – how would it be if it became everything I do?
I’m so fortunate to be at a stage in my life with nothing and no one holding me back. After realising that my conditions, although not unpleasant, were not conducive to making the changes I longed for, I took some huge decisions about the direction of my life.
I’m now here at Taraloka – living working and practising in a radically new way.
It is often marvellous, occasionally difficult, always changing – and entirely inspiring.