Hello. My name is David Johnson. Below is a brief biography about myself, so that you can perhaps get to know better who is behind the writings on this site.
After studying for an undergraduate degree in Computer Science I set off for a few years of travel. It was during this time that I came into contact with Tibetan Buddhism, as well as developing an interest in environmental concerns.
On my return to the UK I became involved with a Tibetan Buddhist sangha and moved to their Retreat Centre in South Wales where I lived and worked for six years. Towards the end of my time there I bought a piece of land in the same village, next door to the Retreat Community. There I built an award winning ecological house.
Wishing to explore the overlap of spirituality, psychology and our connection with the natural world, I enrolled in a graduate program at Naropa University, Boulder, CO in Transpersonal Psychology with a concentration in Ecopsychology. I graduated with Masters Degree from Naropa in 2006.
During the Masters program, I became aware of the issues around peak oil and also watched the Transition movement send out it fledging roots in Ireland and the UK. I was invited to take part in a dialogue in 2005 with Rob Hopkins and others looking at the "heart" of energy descent planning.
I have trained with Joanna Macy in her Work That Reconnects, as well as with Chris Johnstone who has worked with Joanna for more than 30 years. I helped Chris establish The Great Turning Times which he edits.
In 2007 I moved to Portland, Oregon.
Since moving to Portland, I have helped bring the Transition Initiative to Portland, TransitionPDX. I was a member of the Initaiting Group for Transition US that was set up in 2008 and served on the Board of Transition US until November 2011. I am a Transition US Trainer and the places where I have offered trainings include Portland, Vancouver BC, Austin & Houston TX, and Amherst MA. I have written on Transition related matters for Transition Voice, both under their Spirit section and on behalf of Transition US; those writings can be found here. I have also given talks on the Transition movement.
In 2009 I finally got round to completing a two week Permaculture Design Course at Occidental Arts and Ecology Center (OAEC) .... and a great one it was as well!
I am currently working as an assistant editor for the online Journal of the International Community for Ecopsycholgy, Gatherings.
I enjoy cycling, Portland is a great city to enjoy the biking culture, and gardening even if I no longer look out over the open fields of Wales but just have a balcony and a roof top to cultivate on.