Welcome to the Living Spirit links and associates page.
For us, interconnectedness is central to spirituality and we are very aware of and grateful to all the different people and organisations that uphold spiritual, healing, creative and environmental & humanitarian work. Here are just a few examples of folks with whom we have close links.


First and foremost is Ian, who runs the web and graphic design business, Graphic Alchemy. All the wonderful work on the Living Spirit website, posters, blog etc has been created by Ian, so if you are looking for bespoke, beautiful and professional design…look no further!


Any one who has read our blog will have noticed our enthusiasm for myth and storytelling. A great source of inspiration in this regard is storyteller Martin Shaw and the West Country School of Myth and Story. As a second year student, I can't recommend their work highly enough. Also featured here is the West Country Storytelling Festival, a bi-annual storyfest and coming again in 2010… don't miss it…


In terms of fellow retreat centres, we have particular links with The Sacred Space Foundation and The Coach House. These are THE places that I return to year after year for my own retreats (and I'm fussy!) If you are looking for inspiring locations and truly open minded, loving, skilled and experienced retreat guidance, then I recommend you get in touch with them. Spiritually, I would also recommend from experience the work of The Interfaith Foundation and The Epiphany Group (who have links with the Coach House) and are a great source of guidance and training in the Ignatian Tradition.


Some of my favourite local environmental & humanitarian organisations are also shown here. I've watched my friends Rosie & Ifa over many years, working incredibly hard not only to support their own family here in Devon but also their extended family and community in Cameroon. Have you ever wanted to contribute to an overseas charity but felt worried that you'll just be paying for admin, red-tape and corruption? I know I have and so I've glad to be involved with a small, personal charity that really makes a grass roots difference, working at a local level with local people. Please do give them your support.


On the environmental theme, I also wanted to recommend educational organisations Wildwise and Embercombe and eco architects Earthway Design. My son Tam and I have had some great stays in the Wildwise wood learning outdoor skills (and listening to founder Chris Salisbury's wonderful storytelling too) and attending seasonal events at inspirational Embercombe. Anyone who has been to Living Spirit's Badarroch Retreat will have appreciated Earthway's excellent design, not only at Badarroch itself but in the design of other local homes and the Torridon Village Shop and Tea room. Do contact Adrian on 01445 790257 if you are looking for an experienced and friendly architect.


This area is full of creative people… and here are some that I especially love. Fellow moor dwellers Rosie Musgrave and Philip Kuhn greatly inspire me in their commitment to their creative work of sculpture, poetry and book binding/publishing, as does the writing of my neighbour Philip Reeve. Musically I love local singer/songwriters Ros Brady and Simon Barron. Our family recently enjoyed a trip with friends to a local Devon Village Hall to see a shadow puppet show of the classic tale 'The Fisherman' by The Storybox Theatre - check out their website for future shows and venues.


Kabbalistically speaking, I've learnt so much from Warren Kenton and all the good folks of The Kabbalah Society. We are blessed to have several Kabbalah Society tutors visiting in 2011, including poet and publisher Peter Brennan and astrologer Jonathon Clark.


Last but not least is the healing and consciousness raising work of friends old and new. My dear friend Glen Park is the best healer I've ever met and a groundbreaking pioneer in Alexander Technique, while another old friend, Jean Farrell, is an inspiring artist and sound healer. New friends include Kamini, who brings together Buddhist mindfulness practice and creativity and Abigail Robinson, a contemplative musician and healer and to date the UK's only professional music thanatologist.

News, events and updates
Links to our friends and assosiates
All about the people behind Living Spirit