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 a decade, I was ordained into the Triratna Buddhist Order in 2026. The dharma sits at the centre of everything else on this site.
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. I just completed my first ultramarathon.
Health & fitness blog
About
Here's a bit about me
Open source advocate
Long-term user and contributor to open source projects, I'm currently working full-time 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 more than twelve 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 ultramarathon endurance running.
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.
- September 2026 Open Source Summit Europe, Amsterdam
- November 2026 Mautic Conference Global, online
From the blog
Recent writing
Introducing Sīlavāpi
Over the last three months I’ve attended an 11‑week residential ordination retreat up in the mountains of Aragón in southern Spain. During this retreat I was ordained into the Triratna Buddhist Order and given the name Sīlavāpi by my preceptor, Acalavajrī…
What dāna teaches us about open source sustainability
Over the past week, something beautiful has been happening in the Mautic community. We launched an emergency fundraiser to address a significant revenue…
When the project you lead needs community support
There's a particular kind of vulnerability that comes with asking for help. Especially when you're leading something that tens of thousands of people…
Open source is where I found a home for that drive to connect.