Hello & Welcome to my Heart Space!
My Mission
If I am an ancestor of the future, then what can I do to leave behind a more wise, loving and peaceful world? While I have had many jobs in my life, what did my soul come here to do?
Return Humanity Back to Cyclical Living
Cyclical Living Educator
Visit my Celtic Wheel of Life and Menstrual Cycle pages
Our modern industrial world and its education system propagates the perception that we are linear, mechanical beings, destined for continuous productivity until we die. However, we can see all around us, this model of linear reality and relentless “growth” is not serving humanity or the planet we live on. Working with the natural rhythms and cycles of our bodies, our earth and our cosmos, returns our worldview from linear to cyclical, restores our embodied connection to nature, and realigns us with the sacred rhythms of life. Reclaiming the fullness of who we are as cyclic beings is a revolutionary act. It is an act against the industrial model of reality, against the controlling patriarchy, but most of all is it an act of self-care for ourselves and one of the biggest gifts you can gift the world at this time. It is true “progress”, and the medicine we and our world needs at this crucial time of transition.
Restore Women’s Culture & Values
Girls Mentor, Women’s Circle Facilitator & Rites of Passage Leader
Visit my Girls Circles, Women’s Circles & Rites of Passage pages
It’s time for our feminine wisdom, culture and values to be restored to the earth. Only through the returning of the vibration of the Divine Feminine, and the balancing of the female and male principle, will the world experience a renaissance – a flourishing of peace, love and unity. Part of my life’s mission is the calling forth of my own Divine Feminine into this world, and to facilitate the greater awakening and flourishing of this divine principle on the planet, through running girls and women’s circles, and rites of passage. If I am an ancestor of the future, then I wish to leave behind a world of sacred circles where there was before just unmet lines; a world where the feminine principle in us all is deeply honored and reverently celebrated; and a world where we live more deeply and fully from our heart space – at one with nature and all life.
Anchor Truth, Love & Peace on Earth
Spiritual Writer & Meditator
Visit my Truth-Seeking Book, Introduction to Meditation and World Peace Meditations pages
In my twenties I ventured East to seek truth and find deeper meaning. In my life journey and spiritual wanderings since then, I have experienced profound universal truths, and discovered exquisite treasures that lay within. It is my deepest wish that my book and the practice of meditation help awaken people to the truth of who they truly are and why they’re really here – leading them out of the exile in their heads, and back into the vast spacious home and wisdom of their hearts.
About Me
Being Irish
If you can’t hear my accent as you read this, let me tell you that it’s an Irish one! I’m from Co. Limerick, outside a village called Doon, in the south west / mid west of Ireland. This patch of county Limerick was traditionally the stronghold of the Ryan Clan over 1000 years ago, with the ancient ruins of the old Ryan Clan castle tucked away in a woodland about 10 miles from my home. There is something supremely grounding about knowing that you were born and grew up in a place where your direct lineage of ancestors have been living, for well over a millennia. Even though I have traveled all over the world, and am now living very far away, I feel my roots deeply, and carry my name of Ryan with honor and pride.
I grew up surrounded by rolling green fields, and always loved nature and the beautiful landscape around me. As a teenager, I wanted to “save the planet”, and decided to study Earth Science in University College Cork (UCC). I graduated with a first class honors Bachelor of Science degree, and went on to do a Masters in Sustainable Development in the Dublin Institute of Technology (DIT). I started my professional life as a postgraduate researcher with the Futures Academy, DIT and then moved back to Cork to work for The Cleaner Production Promotion Unit, UCC, as an environmental researcher, consultant and trainer.
At 28 I felt a deep un-satisfaction with life. The academic study of the environment felt dry and barren, and my work wasn’t as inspiring as I thought it was going to be when I was younger and thought I could make a difference. Knowing there was something more to be explored and understood about life, I gave it all up and went to “seek truth” in Nepal and India. Perhaps, in the end, the planet ended up saving me. (You can read more about that in the Book I am currently editing!)
I am one of three sisters, which has been a beautiful blessing in my life. The power of sisterhood is a profound gift I wish to share with others. So it was such a joy to have discovered Moon Mná (“Mná” is Irish for women, pronounced ‘men-aww’) – a community offering Women’s Celtic Circles, Rites of Passage, and Divine Feminine ceremonies. Having completed their comprehensive Women’s Circle Facilitator Training course, I’ve been facilitating Women’s Circles both in-person here in Austin, Texas and virtually via zoom, and am leading Rites of Passage events too. It’s so exciting for me to go deeper into my own Celtic wisdom tradition, and work more with the Divine Feminine in the form of powerful Irish Goddesses. It feels like a beautiful coming home to a truth that was there all along.
Truth-Seeking in Nepal & India
In 2009 I gave up my job, my apartment and life as I knew it in Ireland, threw on a backpack, and ventured East to seek truth and find meaning. I was 28, about to turn 29, and I just knew there was “something more” – a supreme truth to life that I yearned to directly experience. I travelled solo for the year, living in Kathmandu for 5 months, exploring the high Himalayan lands of Ladakh just west of Tibet for 3 months, and finished my journey close to the mouth of the Ganges river, on the hot humid plains of Calcutta, in Mother India.
In my quest to seek and find truth, I immersed myself in Buddhism and received life-changing Dharma teachings from a lineage of high Tibetan Lamas. I meditated many long hours in Tibetan Buddhist gompas (temples) and Theravada Buddhist meditation centers in Nepal and India; practiced Yoga; was initiated into Reiki and Pranic healing; had the sweet privilege of being part of a rural Nepalese community in the Kathmandu valley; co-ordinated English Conversation Clubs and classes with Nepalese girls and Tibetan refugees; trekked through the highest mountains in the world; stayed with Ladakhi nuns in the Himalayas; attended the teachings of the Dalai Lama; traced some of the steps of Jesus in his supposed lost years in India; meditated for many many more hours in a Himalayan meditation cell on the borders of Tibet; and worked in the Mother Teresa homes for children and for the dying in Calcutta. It felt like the education I truly yearned for, beyond the academic world. Education for the Heart.
I’m writing a book about my 2009 truth-seeking journey, so visit my Book page if you’d like to learn more.
Living in Austin, Texas
I always thought I’d live my whole life in Ireland, and presumed that after my truth-seeking adventures in Asia, I would return home to the same or similar life. But the Universe had different plans, apparently. Unbeknownst to myself, I had met the man I was going to marry in a Buddhist meditation center in the Himalayas. He was not Irish. He was not Indian. He was American. So at the end of 2011, I moved here to the U.S. of A. to be with my soon to be husband, Brian.
Despite how wonderful my husband and Austin are, it was a difficult transition. Over time I realized I had to reinvent myself. With a vision of working for myself, helping people directly in person, and engaging my organizational skills, I started my own professional organizing business and worked for various clients in their homes and home offices. In 2016 this work transitioned to becoming operations and sustainability manager for a new eco-friendly wedding venue and wellness retreat in the Texas Hill Country, The Cedars Ranch.
Austin, Texas has been my home now for nearly 10 years. I still marvel at all the warm sunny days year round, and the beautiful fresh water springs we have the honor of swimming in. Austin has a vibrant spiritual community, and I’ve especially appreciated gathering in sacred circle throughout the years, centered around the Native American tradition of the talking stick.
Austin has given me so many gifts, the biggest one being my husband and his wild creative and loving energy in my life. Brian is an artist and musician. Visit Living Light Designs, Ask The Light Miracle Cards & The Living Light for some of his beautiful underwater light creations. He inspires me to follow my own creativity, passion and mission in life, and hence this website has been birthed into form.
If you’re interested in more information about my education and professional background, as well as my previous volunteer work and other interests and passions, then keep on scrolling …
Education
Training, Certificates & Informal Education
2023: Moon Mná Women’s Circle Facilitator Training Course Certificate – Moon Mná, Online (Ireland)
2022: Circle-Based Mentorship for Girls Course Certificate – Journey of Young Women, Online (USA)
2022: Rose Priestess Certificate – Magdalene Rose Temple, Online (UK)
2019: Eckhart Tolle’s School of Awakening Course Certificate – Eckhart Tolle, Online (USA)
2015: Shamanic Reiki Practitioner Level 1, 2 & 3 Certificates – Feileacan Ministry, Austin, Texas
2009: Pranic Healing Course Certificate – Yoga Vidya Pranic Healing Foundation, Kolkata, India
2009: Reiki 1st & 2nd Degree Certificates – Reiki Foundation Usui Reiki Ryoho, Kathmandu, Nepal
Formal Academic Education
2007: Certificate in Training & Continuing Education (1st Class Honors) – NUI Maynooth, Ireland
2003: MSc Sustainable Development (1st Class Honors) – Dublin Institute of Technology, Ireland
2001: BSc Earth Science (1st Class Honors) – University College Cork, Ireland
Work History
2016 – 2020: Venue Operations & Sustainability Manager – The Cedars Ranch, Wimberley, Texas
Operations manager for an eco-friendly Texas Hill Country wedding venue and wellness retreat. Work included: Lead and client management; Marketing and promotion; Social media; Blogging; Website management; Graphic design; Networking; Organizing exhibits; Planning events.
2014 – 2016: Professional Organizer – Brenda Ryan Organizing, Austin, Texas
Professional organizer and member of the National Association of Professional Organizers, working with clients in their homes and home offices. Work included: Establishing / updating filing systems; Preparing official documents; Researching; Bookkeeping; Contact management; Optimizing space and storage.
2012 – 2014: Project Manager & Administrator – The WaterLight Healing Project, Austin, Texas
Co-founded a non-profit arts project providing visual art to community and healthcare facilities to support wellbeing and promote healing. Work included: Running a successful crowdfunding campaign; Researching grant-funding options; Writing grant proposals; Administering project budget; Organizing exhibitions.
2006 – 2008 & 2010 – 2011: Environmental Researcher, Consultant & Trainer – University College Cork
Academic researcher, consultant and trainer with the Cleaner Production Promotion Unit, UCC. Work included: Completing environmental reports and research papers; Preparing proposals for EU funding; Delivering environmental training to businesses nation-wide; Leading a carbon footprint study for the University.
2004 & 2006: Postgraduate Researcher – The Futures Academy, Dublin Institute of Technology
Postgraduate researcher working with Dublin business associations to prepare a book chapter on Business Improvement Districts (BIDs) for academics and professionals. Investigated environmental sustainability principles in Public Private Partnerships in Europe, in conjunction with Smart Futures consultancy in the UK.
Conferences, Publications & Awards
Conferences
2019: Co-Organizer of Self-Compassion Workshop with Dr. Kristin Neff – Wimberley, Texas
2014: Speaker at The Global Alliance for Arts & Health Conference – Houston, Texas
2011: Speaker at Environ Conference on Carbon Footprinting – University College Cork, Ireland
2008: Organizer of Corporate Social Responsibility Conference – University College Cork, Ireland
2007: Organizer & Speaker at Waste Management Seminar – University College Cork, Ireland
2004: Speaker at Environ Conference on Ecological Footprint Analysis – University of Limerick, Ireland
Publications
2019: Article “Dream Weddings Can Also Be Green” – Austin Awakenings Magazine Sustainable Spotlight
2008: Chapter Co-Author “The Adoption of the BID Model in Ireland” – Routledge
2008: Paper “Journeying Towards A More Sustainable World” – University College Cork Chimera Journal
2004: Peer Reviewed Paper “Ecological Footprint Analysis: Irish Study” – Journal of Irish Geography
Awards
1999: Awarded “College Scholar” in recognition of academic achievements – University College Cork
1998: Awarded “College Scholar” in recognition of academic achievements – University College Cork
Volunteer, Community & Youth Work
2019 – 2020: Ladies Let’s Talk Volunteer – Austin, Texas
2010 – 2011: St. Vincent de Paul Conference Member – Cork, Ireland
2010: UCC Wellness Society Meditation Guide – University College Cork, Ireland
2010: Primary School Cultural Awareness Class Presenter – Limerick, Ireland
Oct – Dec 2009: Mother Teresa’s Missionaries of Charity Volunteer – Kolkata, India
June – July 2009: Vajrayana School for Sherpas & Tibetan Refugees English Conversation Teacher – Kathmandu
April – July 2009: Nepalese Girl’s English Conversation Club Co-ordinator – Bungamati, Nepal
Feb – July 2009: Himalayan Buddhist Meditation Centre Public Relations Volunteer – Kathmandu, Nepal
2004: Primary School Ecological Footprint Project Co-ordinator – Tipperary, Ireland
2000 – 2011: Chernobyl Children’s Project Mulkear Outreach Group Member – Limerick, Ireland
Yoga & Meditation Courses
July 2015: 10-Day Vipassana Meditation Course – Vipassana Meditation Center, Dallas, Texas
Sept – Oct 2009: Personal Meditation Retreat – Mahabodhi International Meditation Centre, Ladakh
Aug 2009: Agama Yoga Course & Yoga Trek – Ladakh, Indian Himalaya
May 2009: 10-Day Introduction to Tibetan Buddhism Course – Kopan Monastery, Nepal
March 2009: 10-Day Vipassana Meditation Course – Vipassana Meditation Centre, Kathmandu, Nepal
Feb – July 2009: Daily Hatha Yoga Classes – Himalayan Buddhist Meditation Centre, Kathmandu, Nepal
Feb – July 2009: Daily Guided Meditations – Himalayan Buddhist Meditation Centre, Kathmandu, Nepal
July 2005: Raja Yoga Meditation Course – Brahma Kumaris Meditation Centre, Ubud, Bali
… & Dancing!
And all along the way there’s been dancing. Lots of dancing!
Irish Dance: Irish dance classes in primary school; Céilí dancing in college and beyond.
Bellydance: Egyptian bellydance and Rashenkoti tribal dance classes in Cork, including group performances and being part of the Cork City St. Patrick’s Day parade.
Bollywood Dance: Indian Bhangra dance classes in Cork, Ireland; Bollywood dance classes in Mumbai, India; and Bollywood dance workout classes with Monsoon Dance in Austin, Texas. My sisters and I also had the opportunity of being extras in a Bollywood movie in Film City, Mumbai.
Ecstatic Dance: Free form ecstatic dance in Austin with Body Choir / TriBal Joy Ecstatic dance and Ecstatic Dance Austin.
You then realize that you don’t live your life, but life lives you. Life is the dancer, and you are the dance.
Eckhart Tolle
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I publish my Heart Space Newsletter every 6 weeks, in line with the Irish Celtic Wheel of the Year!
