Editor’s Note: For the 2026 Easter Conference Economics As If Life Matters Laura Pasetti of the Theatre of the 7 Directions organised a special edition of the Artist Hunt entitled The Stories that Took Root.

Sylvia Robertson told the following story. As the audience walked up to the performance they could hear the Hans Paulsen song One Incredible Family playing in the background.

In addition to the video this post gives the text of the story and also written contributions from members of the audience.

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It was May 2021 – 6 weeks after the devastating fires that destroyed the Community Centre and Sanctuary, when three long standing Community members, Liza, Leona and Cornelia, met. They asked themselves “What can we do about this mess?!” and together they got a clear message: “Celebrate the 60th Birthday and create a platform for people to share their stories”. It was then that the seeds of my existence were planted. The seeds continued to be watered and so it was that I was born.

“First, we need a name”, they said and they thought about the Hans Paulson’s song, ‘One Incredible Family’ which was often sung at Community events and over the years became a kind of anthem for the Community.

So I was named ‘Celebrating One Incredible Family’ – you can call me COIF for short.

Who exactly am I? I am the ‘Teller of Tales’, the ‘gatherer of stories’, the keeper of the Community’s collective autobiography. How do I do that, you might ask? Well, I do that through a small team of dedicated volunteers and a website.

I serve this One Incredible Family of Community members past and present, those that live locally and those that live all around the world. I also serve scholars and researchers and ANYONE who wants to learn about or connect with this centre of light – for we are ALL one incredible family, all humans, other-than-humans – all Gaians -all One.

From small beginnings I have grown in abundance and I now have over 1600 stories in the collective autobiography – is yours there? – and more than 400 portraits in the Faces of Our Community Gallery – is yours there?

There is also abundance in the thousands of people who visit my website and Facebook page, and in the thousands of hours my volunteers are putting in.

You can see that as well as being a Storyteller, I’m also a Photo Album, a Librarian, an Archivist and a Wisdom Keeper.

I am co-creating the living memory of this Community together with everyone. Preserving the collective memory and history of a community is important. Not so we can go back to the old days, but to understand and honour its foundations, its vision, its evolution and yes, even its mistakes. So we can learn from it all and move forward into a new future.

In the words of the Hans Paulson song (which you heard coming in) we’re going to

“…… build another
Garden of Eden

where we can really grow
children of love, children of light
so everyone can know…
we belong to
One incredible family…”

And all these stories are the compost for the new Garden of Eden.

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What does the Community mean to you?

At the end of my storytelling as COIF, I asked the audience to write down a few words to answer this question and the following is the ‘Incredible’ response we received:

“wishing to live in community,
with those i love
and will love,
i came across
findhorn and others already doing this.
i came, i learn,
and today i participate
sharing a meditation ceremony co-created with the land.
happy to be here
sharing
sharing
loving
sharing”

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“I have known of Findhorn for many years – since the 70s. But have not visited until 2024, and my wife, Julia, and I are now regular visitors, staying in our motorhome, several times a year.

Here we have found a spiritual home and value the very special atmosphere of light and love.” (Graham)

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“Perseverance, resilience,
Generosity of Spirit,
Love, Universal Will;
One Incredible Family
Persists the storms
Of collective light and
Shadow – and continues
To exist with a light that
Cannot be extinguished!”

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“One Incredible Family – a reason to celebrate.
If you’ve only just discovered us,
It’s never too late.
You’ll find a welcome and warm embrace
Very soon we hope you’ve found that
Your home is in this place.
And as you settle down and find your reason to BE!
We’ll be glad you found our One Incredible Family!”

C

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“A wonderful mosaic of humanity.

A place where each can find a place to be and to belong.

A Community that despite the various viewpoints, contentions and beliefs can still find a way to come together, to communicate, to reason, to agree and to celebrate.

Love, compassion and mutual respect can be found through freedom of dialogue.

A place of connection and loving warm hugs.”

***

“heart

a catalyst for positive change in the world.

a dynamic hothouse able to experiment with new ways of living.

sounding a special note about a different connection with the natural world and spirit.

a beacon of light.”

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“I first came to Findhorn in 1995/96. Having been invited by another resident.
I came back regularly over the next 20 years, to Cluny esp., or so, knowing I would live here one day. I managed to find a place to live and have resided here since 2023.

Love is a key quality – love in action is a good way of expressing it. Help, give, welcome others, offer and accept.”

♡

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“Findhorn to me –
Has been a place of Welcome and Encouragement – from furthering my creative work to performing my 1st comedy stand up. There’s an abundance of creative energy here – to follow up and to celebrate. I appreciate being a part of the community, with young excited kiddos and warm, wise and encouraging elders who see me :)”

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“I’ve always been a satellite member, since ‘98 or so. I’ve done various singing and music workshops but none of the more in-depth things.
My brothers both work around the Foundation!”

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“Findhorn ist für mich eine bedeutende und schöne Erinnerung. Ich war in den frühen 1980er Jahren für 3 Monate hier und hatte den Wunsch jetzt noch mal wieder zu kommen. Ich bin beeindruckt was hier aus dem Caravan Park entstanden ist.
Findhorn ist ein Beitrag zum Frieden.”

Translation from German:

“Findhorn holds significant and beautiful memories for me. I spent three months here in the early 1980s and now wanted to return once again. I’m impressed by what has become of the Caravan Park.
Findhorn is a contribution to peace.”

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“A community of many lovely people. A sense of home, and spiritual place. T-“

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David Whyte the Irish/Yorkshire poet says
“We are always on the shoulders of our ancestors”.

“As a member of the community since 1993 it reminded me of what an amazing community I am part of and as a grandmother am now part of the history, the present and the future as my grandchildren will be here as usual in their summer holidays and that I am blessed.”

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“My first ever journey to Scotland – this lifetime – and my first port of call
Findhorn
Ecovillage

A journey that took 2 days to travel, took 14 years to happen.

A lesson started in 2002 in the Lecture Room – a lifetime’s journey quest against pollution – and for ecological construction

– we are all one family.
Thank you ♡”

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“The community at Findhorn for me means coherence. We live in a world where coherence sometimes is missing for different reasons. In Findhorn you created a space where people can live in coherence with themselves, doing what they believe is the right thing to do.”
Brian :)

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“I consider this community a source of ‘positive infection’ for Moray, Scotland and the rest of the world … Let us continue to spread it!”
♡ FV

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“This Community means so very much for me on my colourful journey in life.

I came at a very challenging time where a breakdown was hanging by just a thread.

Bit by bit, drop by drop, moment by moment the people of this Community nurtured my Spirit and I began to dance with that magical essence I call a Miracle.

My healing journey continues with Faith and curiosity and am so very grateful for this beautiful haven of light.
Namaste :-)”

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