I first got involved with the Triratna Buddhist Community in 2005, when I was living in Sheffield, working as a physiotherapist and doing a lot of rock climbing and mountaineering.  It was when I was on a trip to the Andes when I was 25, that quite by chance I picked up my first book on Buddhism, and thought: ‘This makes so much sense!’  I’ve been practising meditation and the Dharma (the teachings of the Buddha) ever since.  I moved to Taraloka Buddhist Retreat Centre in 2009, drawn by a desire to integrate meditation experience more fully into my daily life and to live in a vibrant community of other serious Dharma practitioners.   It was a great move!  In 2014 I was ordained, and given the name ‘Maitrisiddhi’.  The name means ‘success or attainments based in love or friendliness’.  I love my name.  It’s an aspiration and path to follow for the rest of my life, and links me to my yidam, Maitreya, the ‘friendly or loving one’.

Since 2015 I’ve been part of the Taraloka Retreat Team, as well as teaching in other contexts.  I find it very satisfying to share my delight in the Dharma, and meditation is an area I deeply love – all types, but especially sadhana (visualisation practices) and metta (loving kindness).  I also feel a strong connection to ritual and devotion.  In terms of what inspires me, I particularly love Pure Land teachings, especially Shinran, the Pali Canon, the Bodhicaryavatara, and the exquisite clarity of my teacher Bhante Urgyen Sangharakshita.  I find all these entirely compatible – the Dharma life like a jewel, described from many angles.