Introduction to Kingscote Park and the development of the Matara centre as a meditation and rejuvination centre.

We moved into Kingscote Park 13 years ago; a wonderful Georgian grade 2 listed home and sanctuary, nestled in the Cotswold Hills in 28 acres of woods and parklands in a place of outstanding natural beauty.

The Matara Centre at Kingscote Park was born out of tragedy and hope and now is a place of beauty, celebration and inspiration. My partner and soul friend of 32 years, June Higgins, was diagnosed with ovarian cancer. June, first and foremost, wanted to get well. She also wanted others to benefit from our journey of discovery over an 8 year period.

We discovered even in dying there can be a healing and sense of unity and wholeness. We learnt it is all too easy to hold onto life or a lifestyle for as long as you can, leaving little time or energy to live well in the present.

Together we designed Matara as a well-being centre and were excited about the possibilities that it provided. June died before the centre could be built, I continued with the project as part of my healing process, holding the intention that Matara would be a place where people would reconnect with mind, body, spirit and the natural world to experience a sense of connection and wholeness.

Just as June had wished, Matara has evolved into that special place – a meditative centre, a healing place, dedicated to the full expression of the human spirit and a deeper relationship with nature.

I have continued to explore the principles of well being following an integrative approach of mind, body and spirit, encouraging people to return to a sense of wholeness and harmony, where we can be at peace with ourselves and the world we live in.

Let me share with you some of the principles of the building.

We never had a budget or finishing date for the centre. Our cash flow allowed time for the building ideas to develop and emerge. Everything was and is done with love and care without compromise. For instance we did not have the funds to add the cloister, this was added 3 years after the building was finished.

We applied as many ecologically sound principles we were aware of to be incorporated into the building. The energy requirement is 25% of a normal building. The water treatment is organic and forms the ponds within the parkland. We did not consciously use any toxic materials.

Throughout the building I held the energetic thought that this would be a place of mind, body and spirit connection. Somehow this seems to have happened.

After the building was complete I let the building energies settle for 3 years. During that time I would not identify the use other than a healing centre.

Our work is influenced by:

Human potential movement: Promoting the cultivation of extraordinary potential believed to be largely untapped in most people.

Eastern spirituality: The East has long been regarded as a source of profound and universal wisdom.

Ecological movement: That sees everything as living, related and connected. The great challenge of our times is to change our value system to have respect for human dignity and ecological sustainability.

Holistic health: That integrates our mental, emotional and spiritual needs.

At the heart of everything is the love and care that is the Matara Centre at Kingscote Park – that’s the healing

Best wishes

Geoffrey