Free day (and a rainy one) on the Island of Erraid, seems like a good time to step back into the blog and catch people up a bit. Where to start?
First off the program is whizzing along and is closing in on its final two weeks. All is going very well, couldn't really hope to explain it away but in brief; it's been a fascinating, at times challenging, at times blissful journey through my psyche, group life and dynamics, community life, complete with a good look at our current global situation. Some really inspiring presenters, some intense, some insightful, some deep, some confusing and maybe others even a bit boring, from a 70ish year old permaculturist, to the 32year old [female] systems theory and process oriented psychology trained "CEO" of the finhorn foundation, to a former president of the global ecovillage network, to individuals in charge of conflict resolution in the community, to a man who has a track record of curing certain cancers who works with people from all over europe and has a schedule booked months in advanced, and on and on. So many people (at times it seems like too many) have shared and added to this experience on a daily basis, and I'm only talking about what went on within the formal meetings of the program, outside of our regular 9-12 and 2-5 meetings all sorts of things have been happening.
Meeting and getting to know Astrid has been a huge part of my time over here. We seem to be each others teachers, counselors, agitators, lovers and friends. She just celebrated her 26th birthday, and came here originally with her mom from Denmark when she was much younger and came back a year ago to work in the garden/landscaping at the Cluny campus (the former hotel). In the past month or so she was presented with the opportunity to 'focalize' or manage the garden landscape crew at Cluny and just recently stepped into that role. She becomes Staff in June on a long term contract...
Other highlights include; Having had the opportunity to witness a concluding meeting between the board of trustees (including one titled 'Lady') and the local management of the foundation, that was open to all community members. Got a interesting snapshot of what was hot in the community, namely the issue of being an 'aging' community, also the budget [which apparently is in the rare position of being in good shape], the need for a new model of governance within the community and extended networks, and expanding housing for staff and 'living education apprenticeship program (or LEAP) members. Interesting evening...Also participated in a four day 'Conscious Medicine Conference', five rhythms dance, the four day silent retreat, weekly saunas, so enjoy the food and the gardens that i've been working in from time to time, also watching all the new eco-buildings going up, reading great books, conversing, watching random events in the universal hall, open mike nights at the blue angle cafe, fish and chips and drinks in the village and more...
Snapping back to the present, I'm out with the group on the Island of Erraid staying within a much smaller, very basic community (12 members) that is associated with the Findhorn foundation. Buildings of granite from the 1840's, rainwater collection, composting toilets, chickens, sheep, gardens, the ocean, candle making, wood burning for heating of homes and water, survivalist feel, (with a good internet connection). Yesterday I went exploring on the island and found the 'hanging stone' feature, as well as a cave close by, it was suggested that I bring a torch - but i forgot, and sure enough it was pitch black inside this cave, a little disappointed *and slightly scarred, I turned around to make my way out when something caught my eye. Reached out to what seemed to be a rock shelf and found a candle. Felt around a bit more and there was a jar of matches! Pretty fun, lit the candle and entered some classic mindset inspired by the candle lit cave, hearing drops of water and breathing in the dank cave air, this experience was only heightened by the discovery of a golden bottle of whisky sitting back on the same shelf where I found the candle. Pretty sweet sitting in this cave having a swig by candlelight, felt like i was one treasure chest away from dreaming.
I'll be back in the Findhorn area this weekend in time for some professional clown doctoring. Traditionally fearful of clowns I'm hopping to overcome this fear with the help of Patch Adams who is coming to the Foundation and holding a workshop this coming weekend. I guess saturday is his birthday as well and I'm told there will be festivities to match. Astrid has tickets for the weekend too so I'm thinking it will be a great time.
I will likely stay for two more months (I need to clarify if I have six months from my last entry in march or if Im still on the six months from when I entered in january) before returning home with the possibility of applying for a longer term visa...Still very up in the air...
That's it for now!
Lots of Love,
Adam
