Community & open source
The central focus of my life has always been around bringing people together and building community. Open source is where I found a home for that drive to connect.
Community blogHello, I'm Sīlavāpi.
You may have known me as Ruth Cheesley - I was ordained into the Triratna Buddhist Order in 2026 and given my new name. Same person, same work: open source, community, dharma, and rather a lot of running.
What I do and care about
Living with a disability
Diagnosed at 23 with Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome, a genetic condition affecting the connective tissue in my body, I've spent most of my life working with chronic pain, joint instability and fatigue.
Being bendyBuddhism and dharma life
A practising Buddhist for over sixteen years, I was ordained into the Triratna Buddhist Order in 2026. The dharma sits at the centre of everything else in my life.
DharmaFitness and health
Learning how to train with a physical disability and exploring ways to push myself without injuries or flare-ups has been quite a challenge. In the summer of 2025 I completed my first triathlon.
Health & fitness blog
About
Here's a bit about me
Fractional leader
Senior, part-time operations and community leadership for the organisations that need it - currently fractional Director of Operations at Mercury Consortium. Work with me.
Open source advocate
Long-term user and contributor to open source projects, I'm currently working as Project Lead for Mautic.
Public speaker
Speaking regularly at events around the world on a range of topics from open source to living an active life with a disability.
Board member
Proud to be a trustee of Breathworks, helping people around the world living with pain and suffering.
Ordained Buddhist
Ordained into the Triratna Buddhist Order in 2026, after sixteen years of practice - Sīlavāpi is the name I was given.
EDS Warrior
Living a full and active life with Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome, including a slight obsession with endurance sport.
Events
Next up on the travel itinerary
I am very fortunate that my work often allows me to meet amazing people from all over the world to collaborate on and improve open source projects and communities.
- November 2026 Mautic World Conference, London
- 30-31 January 2027 FOSDEM, Brussels
From the blog
Recent writing
What I learned leaving a Ruth AI in charge
Before my three-month ordination retreat I built a Ruth AI so our Mautic team could keep going without me. The AI turned out to be the smaller part of the story.
Top tips for thriving on the three-month ordination retreat at Akashavana
Preparing to thrive on the three-month ordination retreat at Akashavana - fitness, medical planning, kit and coping with the mountain weather - from someone who once was not sure her body could manage it.
What I learned at my first Order convention
Sitting in complete stillness with more than 620 Order members at Wymondham, and what I worked out about how to survive, and enjoy, a first convention.
Open source is where I found a home for that drive to connect.