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Home / Teachers

Alex Swain

Alex Swain

Alex has been working on the integration of personal and social transformation for almost two decades. With a background in direct action and affinity group work on climate justice, anti-capitalism and queer politics, and from an early commitment to Buddhist practice, they helped to found the Ecodharma Centre in Spain, in around 2009, where they lived in a secluded corner of the pyrenean mountains for 10 years. Over this time they have taught on programmes at Ecodharma and later the Ulex Project, focused on sustainable activism, psycho-social resilience, engaged buddhist training and training for trainers – coordinating international projects to support the propagating of this work throughout Europe. Their Dharma practice has been fundamental in this, feeding into and shaping these programmes, as well as supporting their own development and capacities for meeting the challenges of this kind of work. Not affiliated with a particular Buddhist tradition currently, they continue to practice with the support of a sangha of engaged buddhists connected to Ecodharma, also benefitting from some of the practice frameworks and the Triyāna approach of the Triratna Buddhist Order. They currently live in Scotland with their young family, are in training in Gestalt Psychotherapy at the Metanoia Institute, and continue to work for Ecodharma and Ulex, in a number of capacities.

 
 

Blog

  • 7 July 2025

    Interview with Yeshe Fuchs

     
  • 15 May 2025

    Shambhala Sun Camp : A Week of Discovery, Joy and Authentic Presence

     
  • 3 May 2025

    Ringu Tulku Rinpoche will be teaching in Dechen Chöling this summer

     
  • 30 December 2024

    Moments of Magic: Our 2024 Journey at Dechen Chöling

     
  • 23 December 2024

    From Stillness to Action

     
 

Upcoming programmes

  • Kyudo: The Way of the Bow – Combined

    24 July 2025 – 4 August 2025

    With: Max Baltin, Kanjuro Shibata Sensei XXI

    Instructor training for Kyudo practitioners combining the advanced and public programs led by Onyumishi Kanjuro Shibata XXI, Sensei.

     
  • Kyudo: The Way of the Bow – Advanced

    24 July 2025 – 31 July 2025

    With: Kanjuro Shibata Sensei XXI

    Instructor training for advanced Kyudo practitioners. The programme will be led by Onyumishi Kanjuro Shibata XXI, Sensei.

     
  • Family and Community Camp

    25 July 2025 – 3 August 2025

    With: Sophie Maclaren

    For families, single parents, and children aged from 3 to 10. Activities for children are organized in the mornings, giving adults the opportunity to meditate, read or just relax.

     

All programmes ›

 
 
 

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Le Mas Marvent
Rue du Château 640
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France

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