The power of nature is simple and profound. I spent time at the Findhorn River in Scotland after cycling there from the Findhorn Foundation. The trees turning golden, luminous with the rain, amber water and the ferocity of this body of water is wonderful to experience and watch.
I’ve just returned from doing Experience Week at the Findhorn Foundation. It was timley that I had to move out of my house for a week and my housemate suggested taking part in the Experience Week here. Although I’ve been living in the Park (which is where all the eco houses and offices are) since July, I’ve been having my own experience since I arrived. So I thought I’d try a different kind of experience.
Experience Week at Findhorn is really an introduction to what the community is about, how it works here, what happens day to day and the organic, rather complex layers of programmes and entry into the foundation.
There were ten people from all over the world in my group with Durton from Germany and Ineka from Holland as our wonderful facilitators. We all stayed at Cluny Hill College which is a converted hotel in Forres that is part of the foundation. There was a real feeling of ‘family’ for me this week not only because of the bond that was created in our group but also because of everyone being in one building and congregating in the lounge room at various times through out the day.
We played games to connect with each other, did sacred dancing, listening to talks from members of the community, connected with nature, shared with each other, ate a lot, did toning on a power point on the hill, sang, made origami and drawings, went to the beach, got tired, had headaches, took deep baths, hugged a lot, danced some more, worked in various departments (mine was Cluny Hill Kitchen), escaped for tea and cake, did yoga, laughed, talked in our sleep and so many more moments that created a very full week.
Not all moments were great as entering into group dynamics is very intense, so is sharing a room with two new people. But through the chaos of the many layers of emotions and energies in the space, I felt a deep love and connection to my fellow human beings there in the circle with me. And, really, that’s the point. Or it was for me. There was nothing really new that I heard that had not experienced in some way before. It was not a transformational experience, profoundly altering in any way. For me, it was an opportunity to see myself in a group again, feel my unique-ness and common ground with other people of different ages and cultures, an experience to open and share and be in harmony and play (we picked angel cards on the first day…the group angel card was PLAY and my personal card was HARMONY and that is exactly what I felt). And the most important aspect, to LOVE and accept each other as we are. Experiential reminders are always useful.
Here are some images of the amazing autumn light, nature and our lovely group:
Sheila Gibbons is a yoga instructor and raw foodist. She hosts a Raw Food Lunch at her home in Findhorn Village. In this video she shows us whats for lunch today! (and dessert!)
My Interview with Sheila:
Here I am in Findhorn on a very balmy, warm evening on 28th September watching a soft, peachy sunset.
I want to share these videos with you so that you get to know this special part of the world too, perhaps in a new way if you’ve already heard of Findhorn.
I film from the perspective of my own curiosity and interest which does not mean that I necessarily agree with or practice any of the thoughts, ideas and practices that are shared in the videos.
They are here for you to enjoy, to learn something new perhaps and to inspire.
May you receive what you came here for and much more!
with love
Jane
