{"id":1101,"date":"2026-08-01T06:21:40","date_gmt":"2026-08-01T06:21:40","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/myhealtho.com\/news\/county-the-place-to-develop-spiritually-says-monk\/"},"modified":"2026-08-01T06:21:40","modified_gmt":"2026-08-01T06:21:40","slug":"county-the-place-to-develop-spiritually-says-monk","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/myhealtho.com\/news\/county-the-place-to-develop-spiritually-says-monk\/","title":{"rendered":"County the place to develop spiritually, says monk"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Herefordshire stands out as the UK’s premier destination for those seeking spiritual growth, according to a distinguished Buddhist monk. Venerable Dhammaloka, a senior monk from Sri Lanka, believes the county possesses a unique “state of balance” that nurtures personal development.<\/p>\n

“For a person to be happy, they need the right environment,” he explains. “This environment, the nature, the air, everything in Hereford allows that.” His conviction is so strong that he advised his mentee, Ishara De Silva, to establish her wellness centre in the region\u2014a place he had never even visited before making that recommendation.<\/p>\n

A Monk’s Vision for Herefordshire<\/h2>\n

Venerable Dhammaloka’s guidance led to the founding of Plantation Villa in Kings Caple, Herefordshire, in 2022. The centre had originally been established by De Silva in Sri Lanka, but the monk’s insight prompted an expansion to the English countryside.<\/p>\n

De Silva, who has lived in the UK for 19 years, admits she too had never set foot in Herefordshire before following her mentor’s advice. “I had studied and worked in London, but when we talked about helping people in the UK, he chose Hereford,” she recalls. “He said that it was a place that was the best for developing a person’s mind.”<\/p>\n

Ancient Wisdom Meets Modern England<\/h3>\n

The monk’s choice was not arbitrary. He pointed to the region’s historical significance in holistic health practices. “Historically, people who worked on their physical and mental health and even the old and ancient medicine in England\u2014all of that happened around Herefordshire,” De Silva notes.<\/p>\n

This deep-rooted connection to wellness makes the county an ideal setting for Ayurveda, an ancient system of medicine and healing from South Asia that has been refined over thousands of years.<\/p>\n

What Plantation Villa Offers<\/h2>\n

Visitors to the centre can immerse themselves in a range of holistic experiences, including ayurvedic retreats, yoga sessions, and sound healing workshops. These practices are designed to restore balance to both body and mind, drawing on principles that have stood the test of time.<\/p>\n

The Power of Sound Healing<\/h3>\n

Laura Leverington, who discovered her passion for Ayurveda at the centre, leads the sound healing workshops alongside her yoga teaching. She describes the practice as “a practice for deep relaxation for both the body and the mind.”<\/p>\n

“Science has proved and is continuing to prove that sound can be used as a stress release and help with meditation,” she says. “We learn how to slow the mind down and how to switch the mind off through sound.”<\/p>\n

A Holistic Approach to Daily Life<\/h3>\n

For Leverington, Ayurveda is fundamentally “how to live a happy life.” The philosophy extends far beyond occasional retreats, influencing everyday habits and routines. “It really focusses more on balancing the body, through eating the right foods, all the way through to how we wake up in the morning,” she explains.<\/p>\n

The centre’s approach resonates with those seeking a more mindful existence, offering practical tools for navigating the stresses of modern life. By combining ancient wisdom with the serene Herefordshire landscape, Plantation Villa provides a sanctuary for personal transformation.<\/p>\n

Why Herefordshire Attracts Spiritual Seekers<\/h2>\n

The county’s appeal lies in its unspoiled natural beauty, clean air, and slower pace of life\u2014elements that Venerable Dhammaloka identifies as essential for spiritual growth. Unlike bustling urban centres, Herefordshire offers the tranquility needed for introspection and self-discovery.<\/p>\n

De Silva’s journey from London to Kings Caple illustrates a growing trend of people seeking alternatives to city living. The move has allowed her to create a space where others can reconnect with themselves and nature, guided by principles that have nurtured well-being for centuries.<\/p>\n

Building a Community of Wellness<\/h3>\n

Plantation Villa has quickly become a hub for those interested in holistic health, attracting visitors from across the UK. The centre’s offerings are designed to be accessible, whether someone is new to these practices or has years of experience.<\/p>\n

Leverington’s own story mirrors this accessibility. Her discovery of Ayurveda transformed her life, and she now shares that passion with others. “It’s about finding what works for you,” she says, “and creating a lifestyle that supports your overall well-being.”<\/p>\n

The Future of Spiritual Development in Herefordshire<\/h2>\n

As interest in mindfulness and holistic health continues to grow, Herefordshire’s reputation as a spiritual haven is likely to strengthen. The combination of natural beauty, historical significance, and dedicated practitioners like De Silva and Leverington positions the county as a leader in this field.<\/p>\n

Venerable Dhammaloka’s endorsement adds a layer of credibility, rooted in centuries-old traditions. His belief that Herefordshire is “the place for people who want to spiritually develop themselves” is a powerful testament to the region’s unique qualities.<\/p>\n

For those considering a journey into wellness, the message is clear: Herefordshire offers an environment where mind, body, and spirit can flourish. Whether through a weekend retreat or a longer stay, visitors have the opportunity to experience the balance that the monk so strongly advocates.<\/p>\n

As De Silva puts it, the decision to follow her mentor’s advice has proven transformative\u2014not just for her, but for everyone who walks through the gates of Plantation Villa. In a world that often feels chaotic, this corner of England stands as a reminder that true happiness begins with finding the right environment to grow.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Herefordshire stands out as the UK’s premier destination for those seeking spiritual growth, according to a distinguished Buddhist monk. Venerable Dhammaloka, a senior monk from Sri Lanka, believes the county possesses a unique “state of balance” that nurtures personal development. “For a person to be happy, they need the right environment,” he explains. “This environment,…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":1094,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-1101","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-blog"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/myhealtho.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1101","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/myhealtho.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/myhealtho.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/myhealtho.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/myhealtho.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1101"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/myhealtho.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1101\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/myhealtho.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/1094"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/myhealtho.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1101"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/myhealtho.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1101"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/myhealtho.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1101"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}