Ardagh was educated in England, at The King's School, Canterbury, and later at Cambridge University, where he earned a master’s degree in literature. After graduating from Cambridge, Ardagh studied and lived with a number of spiritual teachers, both in Asia and in the United States. In 1987 he founded the Alchemy Institute in Seattle, Washington, and trained several hundred people as counsellors.In 1991 he went to India for a period of prolonged meditation and met H. W. L. Poonja, a direct devotee of Ramana Maharshi.

In 1995 Ardagh developed the Living Essence Training. Ardagh is a member of the Transformational Leadership Council. He speaks at international conferences, and has appeared on TV, on the radio, and in print media. He also teaches the Deeper Love seminars with his Norwegian wife, Chameli Gad Ardagh. They live in Nevada City, CA with his two sons.

He attended Oneness University for a 21-day awakening course. He wrote a book "Awakening into Oneness" after having a great experience. His book has inspired many seekers to awaken.

Books

• Relaxing into Clear Seeing, Self X Press, Nevada City, CA 1997
• How About Now, Self X Press, Nevada City, CA 1999
• The Last Laugh, Self X Press, Nevada City, CA 2003
• The Translucent Revolution, New World Library, Novato CA, 2005
• Awakening into Oneness, Sounds True, Boulder, CO, 2007
• Leap Before You Look, Sounds True, Boulder, CO, 2008

Audio

• Let Yourself Go, Sounds True, Boulder, CO, 2006
• Living Essence Audio Series Vols 1-3, Self X Press, Nevada City, CA, 1997-2007