Alan Clements

Alan’s international sales and marketing career spans 55 years with companies that includes Wiggins Teape, Alcan and Unilever. As an entrepreneur, he has also built-up businesses as diverse as printing, packaging, advertising and online marketing. Alan has visited over 30 countries, had an office in China, and his knowledge of international marketing is extensive.

A Buddhist for more than 30 years Alan has taken instruction in meditation and dharma in both the Gelug Tibetan Buddhist and Japanese Soto Zen traditions.

An early grounding in Christianity and a degree that included Philosophy and Physics sparked off an interest in the deeper questions of life. His first of several private meetings with His Holiness the Dalai Lama in 1992 was to ask the the question “what is the meaning of life” and this led him to becoming the Chairman and later Vice President of the Tibet Society and Relief Fund of the UK. He has also been greatly influenced by the teachings, videos and books about Lao tzu, Gandhi, Father Bede Griffiths, Alan Watts and Fritjoff Capra.

Alan is particularly interested in the comparison of east-west philosophies and the remarkable cross relation between the scientific findings of quantum physics, Buddhism and Taoism. A lifetime of being in awe of nature, a love of the world’s great landscapes and his passion for gardening has led him to create his own four-acre meditation garden, Cascades Gardens in Bonsall, Derbyshire. He has a strong belief in the therapeutic and spiritual value of beautiful landscapes and the concept of being “one with nature”.

Monthly Zoom talks on Zen Gardening by Alan

July 3rd
Zen Gardening. My garden is my teacher.
Aug 7th
"Oriental gardens, their content, purpose and meaning".
A tour of Japanese, Chinese, Islamic paradise gardens and Feng Shui
Sep 4th
"Being one with nature": My garden mindfulness and meditation practice
Oct 2nd
Video tour of "Cascades Gardens through the seasons” from a Buddhist, and secular perspective" and Introduction to Bonsai.
Nov 6th
“Cascades Gardens- My spiritual journey" 

Zoom Event

Sept 2nd, 2021
12 PM (UK Time) | 7 AM (Washinton D.C Time) | 4.30 PM (Sri Lankan Time)

*Session duration 1 hour 30 minutes

Zoom Meeting link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/9204160619

Topic: “Introduction to Bonsai & Cascades Gardens Summer Video”

Alan takes you on 25years of experience and challenge in developing Cascades Gardens, his meditation garden. He explains how the garden has taught him profound lessons about nature and life.

Expressing his initial awe in the beauty and miracle of nature he recognises the need to find the best position and conditions in his high-altitude garden in Derbyshire for every plant, and the increasingly uncertain weather conditions that he has faced in recent times. Tracing the seasons with dramatic photography in the spectacular landscape, that is his garden, he shows how fabulous plants can be when conditions are right.

Exploring the need for creativity and patience, his perception is that when a garden has the chance to become established it develops a harmony and balance that can give enormous satisfaction and peace of mind. His pictures of the quiet places in his garden shows that it can be the perfect place to celebrate nature, to relax, reflect and even meditate on its beauty.

Website www.cascadesgardens.com
Blog www.gardenforwellbeing.com