Allan Armstrong is the Prior of the Order of Dionysius & Paul, a position he has held since 1991. The ODP is a Religious Order dedicated to the contemplative life and the study of Comparative Religion, Mythology and Symbolism. His life’s work is devoted to developing a greater understanding of the spiritual life and the path of spiritual perfection in the context of the Order curriculum. His research interests reflect this in his a life long study of Spiritual Disciplines; Prayer & Meditation; Ritual; Healing; Kabbalah and Mysticism.

He has written introductions to the following books: A Handbook of Mystical Philosophy by G. B. Scaramelli; Dionysius the Areopagite on the Divine Names translated by C.E. Rolt; Prayer by Dudley Wright; The Adornment of the Spiritual Marriage by Jan van Ruysbroeck, and Father Lazarus’ translation of On the Prayer of Jesus by Ignatius Brianchaninov.

The title, The Secret Garden of the Soul, reflects the fact that throughout history Kabbalists have likened the soul to a garden, a secret garden hidden deep within our being. Indeed, from the earliest times that the teachings of such people, and the disciplines they employed, were directed towards enabling others to enter into that secret garden and engage with the inner reality of their own being.