Kia ora from Aotearoa, the Land of the Long White Cloud! A bit about me follows, but if you want to know more, you can wander this site.
I converted to Christianity at 8 years of age and “surrendered” to a foreign mission calling the next year. Upon finishing high school at 18, I started an undergraduate degree in theology, whose title changed to “Applied Ministry: Foreign Missions” while I was studying.
I was especially active in my religion from 16 - 25, after which time I became in atheist (two years after finishing my undergraduate degree and being offered a scholarship to a Master of Divinity degree).
I continued to study many things, from German to history to Buddhism to meditative techniques. My meditation practice began in 2003, while waiting on the birth of my son. Meditation is an important part of my life and, as I tell my friends, “the greatest gift I have given myself”.
I became vegan in 2018, after some years as a vegetarian. Since this awakening, I have been passionate about animal advocacy - especially at the intersection of spiritual practice.
In 2023, I began to consider whether any spiritual path practiced non-violence, so that I could return to this previously important part of my life. I explored Jainism, but couldn’t accept the physicality of karma. I explored Quakerism, which spoke of “peace” but served suffering at the end of meetings. Why was there no spiritual path centered on non-violence?
Then Saha Dukkha found me.
May all beings be free from suffering!
Tūruapō
12 June 2026