A personal crisis and ensuing mystical experience finally pointed Andrew in a positive direction at the age of 23. He bought a DIY meditation book and began to meditate earnestly. He entered the Cistercian Order of the Strict Observance (Trappists) at the age of 28, after being made to wait for over 3 years. He was permitted to continue to see his 'guru' with whom he did intense psychological work, without which he couldn't have continued in the monastery. At the same time he was studying Theology and Philosophy. In all, he was a monk in three communities in three different (UK, IE, NL) countries, all Trappist. Most of this time was as a  junior monk, so moving between communities, though rare, was legally possible according to Canon Law. In the third abbey, after making solemn profession, he followed a Buddhist training with a view to serving the community by leading meditation retreats for guests. He stayed for a total of 21 years in the enclosed contemplative Cistercian Order. In his last year, a powerful dream showed him that his place was outside the monastery walls. He currently lives in a small mountain village in central Portugal.