By Robert M. Ellis
When we came to Tirylan House, on the edge of the Brecon Beacons National Park, nearly three years ago now, my partner and I were looking for a suitable rural house for a small retreat centre. It was a bonus that the house we ended up buying had 17 acres of land, and something of a coincidence that my interest in forest gardens for the sustainable production of food was rapidly developing at that point. However, from there the forest garden became an integral part of our vision for the retreat centre. Changing the way we produce food also involves the more profound task of changing people as well, and vice-versa.
Both I and my wife Viryanaya have a background in Buddhist practice, and we have both been practising meditation and developing our understanding of practical human development for many years. However, the difference between us is that she is still formally committed to a Buddhist organization (the Triratna Buddhist Order, which adapts Buddhism to modern conditions – see thebuddhistcentre.com), whereas I have chosen to prioritise the development of my own understanding of the path of practice, drawing on Buddhist tradition along with a wide variety of other sources: psychology, systems, neuroscience, philosophy, embodied meaning, and the arts. These have all contributed to my multi-disciplinary work on Middle Way Philosophy as a practical path that deliberately avoids opposing dogmas on both sides – a path I have now published more than 20 books about (see robertmellis.net) Ten years ago I also founded the Middle Way Society as a place for people interested in developing understanding and practice of the universal Middle Way to support each other (see middlewaysociety.org) Our retreats at Tirylan House, then, take two different formats that are as easily compatible in practice as our marriage has continued to be, whatever the theoretical differences of emphasis! There are Triratna Buddhist retreats and Middle Way Society retreats, and there are also independent retreat facilities in our annexe (converted barn) for any individuals or small groups wanting to spend a period concentrating on a helpful practice.
Alongside the retreats, volunteers have played an increasingly important part in what we do, with WWOOF being our most important source of volunteers. The forest garden is increasingly becoming an important source of food for both volunteers and retreatants, and Viryanaya is able to showcase delicious vegan cooking using very fresh ingredients by drawing on it. In turn, the volunteers and sometimes the retreatants can contribute some of the labour involved in creating and sustaining the forest garden. The process of garden work can also be an aspect of practice, particularly if we engage with it mindfully and in a spirit of friendship.
We find that volunteers often come here because they are at some sort of point of transition – perhaps they have finished a job or a course, are seeing the limitations of the way of life that came with it, and are looking for new approaches whilst deciding what to do next. Sometimes, however, they are just interested in finding out more about forest gardening and/or about the various practices and approaches we offer on retreat here. Finding that volunteers are often looking for at least some sort of retreat structure, from the beginning of 2025 we have decided to offer more of a working retreat arrangement, where we encourage volunteers to come for one or two weeks on dates that will coincide with others, and where we offer meditation and perhaps some arts or discussion activities as part of a typical day, alongside the conversation over meals and the garden work that have been a normal part of volunteering here (see our profile for more details)
I have personally found having volunteers here very rewarding. They come from a great variety of different backgrounds, and can offer lots of new perspectives on what we do – often offering valuable new suggestions. They make friends both with us and with each other, and the social side of WWOOFing is just as important as the physical activity and the learning. Obviously the depth with which volunteers are ready to engage with us and our project varies a lot: some are not sure what they are looking for, and just want a brief taste of something different, which is OK. Others, however, are ready to talk about their lives, philosophies and motivations in more depth. That means that we can make stronger connections and learn more from each other.
For us, then, living and working with volunteers has easily become part of a framework of practice that helps to create a long-term meaningful and spiritually/morally directed life. Of course, the environment helps too. We are located up on a hill looking across the Towy Valley towards Llandeilo, a small Welsh town a couple of miles away. A sense of physical space and perspective can easily become associated with a mental and philosophical space and perspective too: looking across at human society and sufficiently removed from it to get an overview. The kites, swallows, deer, and butterflies all add to the sense of an interwoven ecosystem that we are gradually enriching through our efforts to turn a boggy pasture into a biodiverse forest garden.
See tirylanhouse.org for more information about Tirylan House.
We are most grateful to Robert for agreeing to write an article for us and thereby supporting WWOOF UK Newsletter. We wish the very best for everyone at Tirylan House Retreat Centre.
If you are interested in WWOOFing at Tirylan House then you can find out more here.
Do you have an inspiring story to share from your WWOOFing journey? Email it to: editor@wwoof.org.uk Many thanks.
Disclaimer: It should be noted that hosts receive guests solely as part of an immersive learning experience, in line with WWOOF UK’s educational charitable aims. Visitors participate in the host’s lifestyle, in order to learn. There is no formalised or contractual agreement and the residential visitors (WWOOFers) are free to come and go at will, so are not considered workers. WWOOFers are absolutely not a substitute for paid labour. Any mention of the words ‘work’ or ‘exchange’ in reviews, articles and other content created by our membership is language chosen by the author and not sanctioned by WWOOF.
