Who am I?

Born in 1977, to a matriarch who grew up in the Garden city of Manchester (U.K); a socially deprived area and a patriarch who grew up in a leafy suburb, attending grammar and university.

One great grandparent, one great uncle, a nana and an aunt on my dad's side.

Several aunties and uncles with 62 older first cousins on my mum's.

Raised with one younger sister and many pets over the years; gerbils, hamsters, rabbits, fairground goldfish, and a loyal dog.

In a leafy South Manchester suburb council estate.

Child of the '80s. School uniform or dressed in matching sibling outfits!

Saturday and afterschool cartoons included; Care Bears, and My Little Pony. The Lost City of Gold. Battle of the Planets. Thundercats. He-Man. She-ra. Gummi Bears. With Edd the Duck and Andy Peters presenting.

Shows included Blue Peter. Chips, The Dukes of Hazard, Bonanza, The Million Dollar Man, Charlie Chan and "Number one son", David Carradine as Kwai Chang Caine, The Wonder Years. Boy Meets World. Top of The Pops.

Films; Yule Bremner in the King and I. The Goonies, Karate Kid.

Toys; Space Hoppers and Chopper bikes. Kerplunk, Barbie and Ken, Slinkies.

Games; Knock a door run. Hide and Seek. Curby. Football.

Teen of the '90s. Science fiction my haven. Avatar the Last Air Bender. Nickelodeon.

MTV. Bros and Brother Beyond. Micheal Jackson. The Hitman and her. Trampolining, Athletics. Home Economics, Biology and Business Studies.

Raised listening to Mowtown, Northern Soul, Classical music and the Beatles. Choosing Dance, Handbag Stompers, Pop, Rnb, Rock n Roll, and Rock amongst others.

I certainly was a product of my UK consumerist culture.

Educated to college level. I took a year out; which ended up being many more. Ex-teaching assistant: mainstream and SEN; 6 months to 16 years. Experience in other fields of work. Mother to one. Aunty to 3. A multitude of cousins I have yet to meet. Friend and associate to many, both within the UK and internationally.

In May 2020 I finished my B.A in "Creative Media and Visual Communication", a top-up year to the 2 years study of Foundation Level "Contemporary Art Practice".

I created many art pieces; at the end of my 1st year I won "Best in Show" with my piece for the 21st Century exhibition "Exploitation and Objectification". Sculptures and paintings.

In the second year, I deeply engaged with the history of digital art - Spinning Wheel and Jacquard Loom, to Digital art and industry-standard computer programmes. Producing "ID" an exhibition of digitally produced photography and sculptures inspired by Ben Laposky and the oscilloscope.

In the 3rd year dissertation, I explored the notion of What is art? Producing "What a waste" which looks at how we can create sculpture without consuming resources. It navigated through the lockdown period of 2020 with the help of Wythenshawe Waste Warriors with whom I now volunteer as a co-opted committee member. I created their website as my 5th. This is my 7th. They deal with "humanised sculptures" in the form of flytipping as they assist the council to clean up the area's 17 parks and green spaces.

Exploitation

and Objectification

Images

from

"ID"

Humanised sculpture

In my life, I have been free to explore my spirituality. Whereas I was raised Church of England, I also have a parent who describes themselves as agnostic. They entertained many door-knocking religions and read many religious texts including the Koran looking for answers to their questions. We were encouraged to do likewise, by both parents.

I have lightly studied many religions and visited a number of religious settings. Choosing to attend church in many denominations but not finding, even with bible study, a "good fit". Even comparing the community I found there with the atmosphere at a football stadium.

Instead, I have found over the years that I have been drawn to the religions of the "East" - Taoism and Confusious and the cultures of the Samurai and Geisha.

I came to Buddhism through an American friend of over 10 years. She had taken up Soto Zen in the lineage of Soyu Matsuoka, later she ordained and was starting to share the Middle Way in a 101 study group and "Sit With Me" sessions, I joined in September of 2020.

Not long after I was introduced to the Tarot, which explores the art and psychology of symbology.

My Dharma name is Shinjin (信心) meaning Faith in Heart and Mind.

From the 36th Fascicle of Dogen’s Shobogenzo: Shinjin Gakudo “Learning the Truth With Heart and Mind”. I am instructed to remember that Zen is found in life, not books. I was presented with my Dharma name on September 25, 2021, at Kai Sanbo.

Shinjin Gakudo was also my priest's Kai Sanbo Dharma name; it truly is a blessing, that I have embraced, discarding my childhood name upon all social facing platforms and trying to balance study with life.

Zen is life.

dharma gates, amongst other things are life lessons.

The Buddha didn't want to teach, the students insisted.

He tried his best and they orally transmitted these things till an attempt to write them down was made. Each scroll and book is a Zen stitch in time. Of their ancestry and written in the language and zeitgeist approach of their time.

I received the Bodhisattva Precepts at the ceremony Jukai Tokudo on May 8, 2022. For which I had to hand sew a Rakusu and I continue to study my ancestry.

My intention to take the path to Priesthood was announced and I took the position of Shuso (Cheif seat / main student / big sister).

I believe that being authentic is key to thriving in today’s world. Where once I wore masks to conform and strive.

Connecting with compassion and following the vows, to share one's journey may assist another.

To see what I’ve been up to, browse my site, learn more about what makes me tick and find out what excites and interests you, as well.