“Ando, a talented and active writer, a woman who spent many years living in deep retreat from the world.
Ando's poems are about silence, stillness, the research of inner peace, and human relationship with nature.
Her works show that a journey of self-discovery can be described with just a few words at a time: and the result can be beautiful and intimate poetry.”
— Naviar Records. Publisher of music based on haiku and renku (a short form of renga).
Welcome, I’m Andō, a poet, writer, contemplative, spiritual director and silence facilitator.
I spent many years living quietly in the forest, where I learnt the Zen of forest, mountain and river, and studied the poetry of the wind.
I'm passionate about poetry, particularly Zen and Ch'an poetry, haiku, monoku, renku, free verse and fragments.
I'm currently editing and designing the first of a series of collections of my own poetry, Small Silences. Later, a journal of the poetry of my students, Between Two Pines. A longer term project is a haiku memoir, The Forest. A series of poetry prints is also in the pipeline.
I'm writing a number of courses, to share the process of contemplative poetry and writing, and the silent practices of a range of faiths. This is my heart’s work.
My poetry and writing has been published internationally in a number of collections and journals.
Please consider supporting my writing, publishing and podcasting work. You can do this by becoming a patron, making a donation, or working with me.
Any questions, please feel free to get in touch.