Nice to meet you!

A little introduction for all you new Red Letter readers, such a treat to have you here!

Apr 01, 2023

Lots of people have signed up for the Red Letter recently, a special hello if that’s you, it’s an honour to be invited into your inbox! I thought it was time to re-introduce myself and invite you to do the same. If we don’t know one another, then hit reply and tell me a little about yourself. If we do, then send me an update!

So, my name is Vajradarshini, at least in Buddhist circles. It’s a Buddhist name. But I also go by Rachel and Rach. I like all my names so you can’t offend me by calling me the wrong one!

I’ve been practising Buddhism since I was 20 and took ordination in the Triratna Buddhist Order 25 years ago. Triratna isn’t a celibate order of monks and nuns, but an order where people try to live out their ordination commitments wholeheartedly, whatever their lifestyle. In my 20s and 30s, that meant living in intensive Buddhist situations like communities and retreat centres.

Now, in my mid-50s, I live in Stockholm with my Swedish wife and two bonus kids (in Swedish I’m a bonus mum, not a step-mum!) Living in a foreign country with two teenage boys turns out to be a whole other kind of intense situation with plenty of opportunities to put into practice the teachings I’ve been studying for years.

Bonus children — They make teenagers big these days!

Right now, this is what interests me most. How to practice the dharma, creatively, in the middle of ordinary, everyday life.

When I was young, I’d visit my grandmother. She’d greet me by holding my face in her hands and having a good look at me, then she’d ask, “How’s your Buddhism?” It always made me smile. She thought Buddhism was a part of my life. But Buddhism, Dharma practice, is woven into every part of a Buddhist’s life. And needs to be. Waking up is a full-time job.

I set up Red Ladder Studio 7 years ago as a project dedicated to looking for these moments of awakening, these openings where we glimpse reality. It’s based on questions I‘m always asking myself:

How do I turn every moment of the day into an opportunity to practice? Where can I find beauty and truth in the world around me?
What can nature, art and culture teach me about the Dharma?

Red Ladder Studio is the umbrella for all my Dharma activities these days. On the website, you’ll find details of live retreats, online courses and workshops.

In a nutshell, I’m known for sharing deep dharma in a down-to-earth way, making the connections between the Buddha’s teaching and everyday life and finding the Dharma in present-day art and culture. If that sounds like your jam, consider joining me in the Membership below.