Welcome to my website the spirit of fire in the head – words, images, land & the creative process PLEASE NOTE NEW CONTACT DETAILS (SEE CONTACT PAGE) At the hub of all my work is my belief in human potential, and the power of the human spirit in conjunction with inspiration and creative expression to renew, re-envision and regenerate itself. Alongside this is my own commitment to environmental issues and sustainability at a profound level, plus a strong need to celebrate: this earth, its beings, the fact of being alive. A common theme running through all my work is a dialogue between inner and outer landscapes; this is underpinned by my own Zen practice and training in transpersonal counselling as well as a lifetime spent in rural living and also in wilderness exploration (as much as is possible in Europe). My lifelong path draws together a Celtic/Western Mystery Tradition nature-based metaphysic, in which everything is seen as imbued with the sacred, and transpersonal psychology. Ecopsychology sums it up. *** My own creative work primarily takes shape through words and images: my books and my paintings. (You'll find some examples here; I will be adding to these.)  Equally important, though, is the work I do with others, primarily in the fields of creative and reflective writing, but always with an undercurrent of soulwork and the evolution of consciousness. I believe passionately that our way forward as a species depends on our growth in terms of consciousness, and eco-consciousness in particular. Increasingly I'm finding that I want the work I do to deepen our relationship with the natural world, and to this extent in 2010 many of my workshops will take that focus. To this work I bring a lifetime immersed in literature (especially poetry), art, archetypal and transpersonal psychology in which I have a counselling qualification, wisdom traditions and the human potential movement, all informed by mindfulness techniques from Buddhist practice. I've been privileged to work with many truly lovely people. I'm interested in the power of the word, and in the importance of communication. I am interested of course in what makes good writing. But I'm also interested in writing with soul and imagination, and in writing in the service of truth, wisdom, personal development and as therapy. I don't see these things as mutually exclusive, although sometimes one focus will take precedence over the others. My courses will enhance your understanding of the tools and dynamics necessary to create work that is the best you can produce; and frequent feedback suggests that they also enhance your understanding of yourself and of the world. I believe that the writing process is as much a passionate journey into inner space as it is about reaching an outer creative destination. I believe in the alchemical power of words to forge connection: to oneself, to each other, to the natural world, to creative consciousness and the human potential movement, and to the silence from which words grow... and if these things interest you too, then welcome, friend. I offer: groupwork for adults; currently in creative writing, & in writing for therapy, for self development & environmental awareness (see 'Ground of Being' on Courses page) workshops for schools (& INSET days for teachers) drawing together creative writing, environmental awareness & emotional intelligence, often outdoors one-to-one mentoring and tutoring in writing and personal development (on hold till later in 2010) two correspondence courses (writing the novel, and poetry). I will be adding more correspondence courses in therapeutic journalling and the archetypal work of the soul through the Western Mystery Tradition and the Celtic metaphysic           Thank you for visiting.   2010 Calendar in brief (see 'Course Details' under the 'Courses' button at top of page) June-December: next 6-month poetry correspondence course: June 1st, applications still open, with first assignment due back at the end of July June 5, Saturday: poetry reading (Roselle + musician) at Charles Causley festival, 6.30, Launceston, above Jericho's (tickets on door) June 20: Dartmoor, solstice Ground of Being day workshop Autumn tba, Devon: Zen & Poetry Storymaking 6-month novel writing online correspondence course: you can join at any time GREEN THINGS: there's always too much to list, or choose. But here are two: Botswana Bushmen denied water rights A Botswana judge has ruled that Bushmen who returned to their lands in the Central Kalahari Game Reserve are not allowed to drill wells for water. The decision condemns them to having to walk up to 380 km to fetch water in one of the driest places on earth. Tourists to the reserve staying at Wilderness Safaris’ new lodge, however, will enjoy use of a swimming pool and bar, while Gem Diamonds’ planned mine in the reserve can use all the water it needs – on condition none is given to the Bushmen. Bushman spokesman Jumanda Gakelebone said, ‘If we don’t have water, how are we expected to live?’ Please write to Botswana’s President Ian Khama at op.registry[at]gov.bw expressing your outrage. If the e-mail bounces, you can write a paper letter: see survivalinternational.org. Factory farming cows I spoke too soon of plans to shelve a new factory-farm dairy, housing thousands of cows for life on concrete. Although that particular proposal has been held up by opposition, more plans are back on the agenda. If you, like me, feel that intensively farming animals who give their lives for us is not acceptable in an enlightened society, click here (or copy & paste): http://www.38degrees.org.uk/page/s/factoryfarm 2 out of 3 farm animals on the planet are factory-farmed. If you want to help give farm animals, which give their lives for us, a better life, visit the Compassion in World Farming website.