Category Archives: Articles by me

Ode to Persimmon – 12/2020

Posted on December 19, 2020 by Inner Ventures

What fruits mature in the dormant depths of winter?What fruits when ripe, so deliciously plump, so wantonly juiced and sweet, offer so much edible pleasure? The persimmon. Wikipedia has this dry botanical description:Latin: ‘Diospyrus Kaki’. Diospyros is in the family … Continue reading →

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Boarding School Haircuts

Posted on December 12, 2019 by Inner Ventures

Whenever I have a haircut, the sensations take me back to one of the more, I could even say most, pleasant memories from boarding school (age 8-12). I can’t remember how often we were lined up for a haircut. Maybe … Continue reading →

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A left-handed Shame Attack

Posted on July 28, 2019 by Inner Ventures

From her seat next to her husband, the headmaster’s wife called my name, following it with a rhetorical question, designed to shame me: Continue reading →

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ON SILENCE by Ardhan Swatridge

Posted on April 25, 2019 by Inner Ventures

Probably the biggest challenge and barrier for any of us to deal with in trying to pursue a spiritual practice is, in our search for some degree of inner peace and self-acceptance, we eventually realise that our restless minds endlessly … Continue reading →

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Teenage Trauma of a pretty ‘Bum Boy’.

Posted on October 16, 2018 by Inner Ventures

It has taken me fifty years to reach a point in my life where I feel ready to talk openly about some of my teenage boarding school experiences. Since my late thirties I have tried to address the most painful … Continue reading →

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Sexual Abuse & Trauma relived – Part two

Posted on April 28, 2018 by Inner Ventures

My defences against verbal abuse are strong; walled-off and defended after years of boarding school life, away from the relative safety and protection of family and home. I am numbed, emotionally starved, often lonely and miserable, having been relentlessly taunted … Continue reading →

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Sexual Abuse & Trauma relived – the first of a two-part account

Posted on April 27, 2018 by Inner Ventures

I am settling down in bed, adjusting to the dark, relaxing after my day, and dropping into the beginnings of sleep. Suddenly I hear movement around me as 6 or 8 male figures loom over me, surrounding my bed. I … Continue reading →

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Aging is Humbling

Posted on March 30, 2018 by Inner Ventures

These days I frequently  find myself sitting in wonder and confusion as to where my life has gone. My logical mind tells me that I have now lived three score years and seven; I have memories and momentos that help … Continue reading →

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Decisiveness, Uncertainty & Not-knowing

Posted on December 10, 2017 by Inner Ventures

Decisiveness is considered a valuable and necessary quality in contemporary society, and it has probably always been that way. One of early man’s essential survival skills was his ability to think quickly and act decisively under pressure, using his weapons, … Continue reading →

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Moving Beyond Our Addiction to Consumerism

Posted on August 6, 2016 by Inner Ventures

I just watched a powerful documentary film – 2.5 hrs long, but having the luxury of time today, I found it very inspiring. Its called “Zeitgeist – moving On”. Free to watch. It started with the issue of our addiction … Continue reading →

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