A senior Buddhist monk from Sri Lanka has identified Herefordshire as the premier location in the UK for individuals seeking spiritual development. Venerable Dhammaloka expressed a strong sense that the county possesses an optimal state of balance, essential for personal happiness and mental well-being. He highlighted the region's natural environment, air quality, and overall atmosphere as key factors contributing to this unique suitability.
Venerable Dhammaloka's conviction in Herefordshire's spiritual potential led to a significant development for the county. Despite never having visited the area himself, he advised his mentee, Ishara De Silva, to establish her wellness centre in the West Midlands region. This counsel resulted in the opening of Plantation Villa in Kings Caple, Herefordshire, in 2022. The original Plantation Villa was founded by De Silva in Sri Lanka, but the UK branch now brings ancient South Asian healing practices to the British countryside.
Ishara De Silva, who had resided in the UK for 19 years without visiting Herefordshire, recounted how Venerable Dhammaloka specifically chose the county. She explained his reasoning that it was the best place for mental development, drawing parallels with historical English practices in physical and mental health. The centre offers a range of services, including Ayurvedic retreats, yoga, and sound healing workshops, all rooted in the ancient system of medicine and healing from South Asia.
Ayurveda, an ancient system of medicine and healing from South Asia, has been developed over thousands of years and focuses on balancing the body through diet, lifestyle, and therapeutic practices. Laura Leverington, a practitioner at Plantation Villa, teaches yoga and leads sound healing workshops, emphasising their role in deep relaxation for both mind and body. She noted that scientific research continues to demonstrate the effectiveness of sound as a stress-release tool and an aid for meditation, helping individuals to quiet their minds.
For Leverington, Ayurveda embodies a philosophy for living a happy life by focusing on holistic balance. This includes attention to diet, exercise, and daily routines, from the foods consumed to morning rituals. The centre's offerings align with a growing interest in complementary and alternative medicine within the UK, although the NHS advises individuals considering such therapies to discuss them with their GP to ensure they are safe and appropriate, particularly if they have existing health conditions or are taking medication. While the NHS itself does not typically provide Ayurvedic treatments, there is increasing recognition of the benefits of mindfulness and relaxation techniques for mental well-being.