During this conversation with Roger Doudna Michael Shaw reflects on his involvement with the Community over the last 50 years. He writes:
In 1974 during a flight from Australia to London I read The Limits to Growth *) cover to cover. I realised that I was flying over many areas where I have contributed to the problems described in that book in my work as an engineer for Balfour Beattie.
Escape was my driver to come to Findhorn. Initially I took a sabbatical for one year, but never went back to the corporate world. I lived in the Community until the early 80s, stayed involved with the Findhorn Foundation Trustees for 37 years and returned to live here in 2004.
Gurdjieff was important to me as a teacher and this connection was important in my relationship with my mentor, John Hilton, and also in my work in the Park Maintenance Department. We were practising, and failing, to connect with Self on an hourly basis throughout the day – reminded by the clang of a hammer on an empty oxygen cylinder (which I still have today).
I met Roger then, as we both were participants in Western Mystery School programme held by Francois Duquesne and Michael Lindfield – working with writings by Teilhard de Chardin, Alice Bailey etc.
Peter Caddy was my great role model. I saw in him a great leader with huge humanity, very kind, aware and dedicated.
Click here to watch the video of Michael interviewing Roger with the same question – 50 years on.
*) The Limits to Growth by Donella H. Meadows, Dennis L. Meadows, Jørgen Randers, William Behrens III, 1972, published by Potomac Associates – Universe Books
Guest Authors are contributors who are not COIF members (for various reasons).
For me, the thing I think makes Findhorn unique, in my experience, is the openness and honesty of the people. People are generally less defensive than is the case in mainstream culture. That is what touched me at a deep level. The quality of interactions. Not just honesty but kindness. These two conversations didn’t really dig into the personal stories on an emotional, spiritual or psychological level. I did however find both people very charming and interesting. Reading Eileen Caddy’s biography and also Peter Caddy’s the characteristic which stands out is their unflinching honesty on a very personal, emotional level. In Scotland we say ‘An open book’ to describe people’s capacity for honesty. I disagree with Findhorn’s purpose being about sustainability. I think it is about a modern spiritual culture.