Tejananda is my Buddhist name; my family name is John Wakeman. I’ve been living at Vajraloka, a Buddhist meditation centre in North Wales for the last 13 years & have been centre chair since 2001 (I think!) Vajraloka is part of the FWBO, and I’m a member of the Western Buddhist Order, ordained by Sangharakshita in 1980. In recent years I've also studied with Lama Shenpen Hookham and Khenpo Tsultrim Gyamptso Rinpoche.
'All-Good' Samantabhadra, our true nature as intrinsic primordial Awareness
My life centres around Dharma practice - meditation & Buddhism, indeed any approach that points to waking up to who and what I / we really are. I teach and lead workshops and meditation retreats as well as writing on meditation and Buddhism.
I've published one book: The Buddhist Path to Awakening (see Amazon co uk or Amazon com for some appreciative reviews and to order!)
I’m also very keen on climbing, mountaineering, trekking,
running & cycling and have been practising yoga (intermittently!) for over
30 years.
Here I am on the Cho-la pass (around 5300 m) between the Gokyo and Khumbu valleys near Everest, in March 2008
On Kala Patthar, 5545m, with Everest behind us, and just 5 miles to the summit (but this was as far as we went!)
Also ... I love all kinds of music, from classical to modern to electronica to metal (particularly sludge / post-metal at the moment) I read a lot and browse the web a good deal!