The lack of wellbeing found today is a widespread struggle—many people are unhappy or unable to cope with life.
Cultivating wellbeing through the ancient practices of yoga, Ayurveda and mindfulness.
According to a study that was carried out in June 2025 by Our Future Health by almost 2 million participants;
In collaboration with Plantation Villa, founded by Metta Trust’s founder Ishara de Silva, we support individuals and communities facing growing mental health challenges through yoga, Ayurveda and mindfulness practices.
“May you have the chance to go beyond your problems, sadness and sufferings and shine on the sky of this world like a moon that has freed itself from dark clouds.” – Venerable Dhammaloka Thero
Life has always carried difficulty. Sadness, heartbreak, grief, trauma, and the reality that we cannot control everything or always get what we want are part of being human. These experiences are not failures or weaknesses — they are a normal part of life.
Yet in the modern world, fewer people are supported to understand or accept this truth. As a result, everyday challenges are increasingly experienced as overwhelming, contributing to the rise of stress, anxiety, and depression. Today, it is common for people to take time away from work due to mental distress, and to see individuals living in states of constant worry, fear, or emotional strain.
Technology and social media have deeply shaped modern life, often creating addictive patterns of constant scrolling, comparison and the search for validation. While not all technology is harmful, overuse can overstimulate the mind, disrupt sleep and create a sense of restlessness that affects both mental and physical health. Many people now live in a cycle of exhaustion, poor sleep and unhealthy habits.
At the same time, modern culture teaches us to look for happiness outside of ourselves — through relationships, appearance, possessions, wealth and constant experiences. These sources of happiness are impermanent, and when they fade, we often turn to more distraction to fill the gap. Mindfulness practices gently bring the mind back to the present moment, helping us rediscover contentment in what is already here.
Without a healthy body, it becomes much harder to maintain a healthy mind. Regular movement, nourishing food, consistent routines and adequate sleep are some of the most effective foundations for emotional wellbeing. Although we largely understand this as a society, many of us still struggle to give our bodies the care they need in the pace of modern life.
At the same time, our environment has changed. Highly processed foods, pesticides, preservatives and chemical-heavy beauty products are now difficult to avoid, and rates of chronic illness continue to rise. When the body is out of balance, the mind often follows. True mental wellbeing begins with bringing the body back into harmony.
Many ancient practices that cultivate wellbeing are slowly disappearing. Yoga, for example, is widely recognised today, but often as a form of exercise offered in most gyms. True yoga is far more than physical movement — it stills the mind and unites body, breath, and awareness to create harmony. This naturally leads into mindfulness and meditation, which trains the mind to remain calm, present, and resilient in the face of challenges, hurt, frustration, or loss.
Similarly, Ayurveda views health as a balance between body, mind, and spirit, and focuses on prevention, lifestyle, diet, and natural therapies to restore harmony. Treatments include personalised dietary guidance, herbal remedies, detoxification therapies, massage, and rejuvenating practices that strengthen the body and calm the mind. By addressing the root causes of imbalance rather than only symptoms, Ayurveda supports long-term physical, mental, and emotional wellbeing.
At Metta Trust, we are dedicated to preserving these practices in their authentic form, ensuring they remain available as practical paths to lasting wellbeing.
Plantation Villa provides a tranquil environment for restoration and balance, with centres in Sri Lanka and Herefordshire, UK. For those experiencing burnout or imbalance, we offer one-on-one yoga therapy, mindfulness and life coaching, daily yoga and meditation programs, and Ayurvedic healing with a qualified doctor — an ancient system practiced for millennia to restore harmony to body and mind.
Founded by Ishara de Silva in 2012 in conjunction with Metta Trust, Plantation Villa has grown hand-in-hand with our charity, supporting Metta Trust’s work while offering a sanctuary where people can reconnect with their bodies, calm their minds, and cultivate true and lasting wellbeing.
