This article by Jon Drake was previously published in One Earth magazine, Volume 5 Issue 3, in March/April 1985 p25.

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What is it about Cullerne, this small piece of land nestling next door to the caravan park, that makes me love it? Is it the close proximity to the ocean? Or the incredible wildlife on the nature reserve opposite? Well, quite rightly, each of these views would swell your heart. The land lies between two areas of natural beauty that offer endless preoccupation with life in its most pristine condition. A pleasure that involves one totally—from the constantly changing sky with its vagaries of weather patterns creating wonderful sunsets and starscapes to the freshness of the air, the brilliance of light and the seasonal changes so marked this far north. Actually, it’s all of these, and more, that make me feel at one with nature and my Mother Earth.

I remember my first apartment as a young artist at age 17. My parents were visiting and we had tea amongst my meagre possessions and destitution. They were horrified. I told them, “Listen to the birds outside; see how the light falls upon the leaves. Isn’t life wonderful?”

In my ascetic lifestyle I had found a sense of peace and love for the immediate natural life around me. Whenever life gets tough I have always gravitated to the green earthy places, or out to the wilds to clear my head and find peaceful clarity.

So now I’m back in Scotland after a five-year sojourn in California with my lovely partner Catherine, both of us wanting to experience in our life together the inspiration and excitement of building a new world. A life that will uplift us and encourage others to fulfil their potential, to be creators of their own worlds and not tied in bondage to negative thinking.

Now that I have accepted the role of focaliser at Cullerne for the next wee while, I must begin to look for the creative purpose of its being. Mine is a process of attunement to the earth, of quiet meditations in our rock garden, of listening and looking. I walk about the place nosey – poking in all its hidden corners, taking stock of all that’s gone before, of my predecessors’ dreams. Sensing the climate of change, being encouraged to take things in hand, I gain greater confidence and begin to know the subtle nuances of the personalities of my fellow workers. All this brings me closer to Cullerne and, like any new relationship or falling in love, one has courage and caution.

I look from my window over morning tea, watching the sunrise over the hills, the darkness clearing away over the bay. Flocks of seabirds puddle-huddle in the shallows. Cluny Hill arises from the mists and I mentally link with all our people over there – a delicate web is woven amongst us. It overwhelms me when I consider all the people who have helped us over the years to build this centre called Findhorn.

I am on my quest for a vision: Cullerne changing just like the morning mists that clear away. I am feeling centred within myself and, like that young artist of years ago, beginning to paint a picture. I consider my materials: the soil and seeds, my tools and circle of friends with whom I am to create. I feel a tenseness of excitement and the charge of creativity, uplifted by the possibilities. I want to begin; I am anxious to start the initiation. Inextricably my own sense of spiritual transformation is tied to my role here.

What we do here together will be wedding the sky to the earth. Not only is this a gigantic job but it is also important to me that we be aware of the way we do things; that we create a sense of fun and joy and love between us – and that when we have all disappeared, this land will still be magnetic and draw people to come and partake of its special healing properties.

Cullerne is one of those special places on Earth that makes you feel better. I realised this when I observed our visitors this summer leaving us with brighter eyes and renewed vigour, going back to their own worlds better able to cope with their challenges – looking just plain healthy, happy and uplifted in spirit for having helped us build this garden.

We are building a garden, this is true – building in attunement with Mother Earth – the goddess – in all her seasons; building in awareness and love through linking our highest aspirations with practical caring. A garden of tremendous vitality and healing will be created and, I believe, we will all be transformed and made healthy, whole.

In our openness to serve our guests we have developed a workshop programme for next year, an educative side to our work that brings us in line with our greater community. To me a newer impulse is also emerging, one that is nurturing and healing in quality and feminine in aspect, surrendering and compassionate. I suspect that something much greater than I can comprehend is nudging me to a greater understanding of myself. Little by little I listen; little by little I become receptive. More and more I can allow life around me to unfold without deliberation; more and more I can be accepting of others. I become the womb in which the light and love of Christ can be born.

I am being born anew. Within me a vision is being born, a vision of marriage between the Earth Goddess and the Cosmic Christ, a marriage of opposites, male and female, of truth and love. This for me is the emerging spirituality of Cullerne.

Perhaps you will come and join us in our quest to fulfil ourselves and bring our vision into reality. There is plenty to do and share, lots to give. Projecting our vision futurish, maybe we will simply create together an eden of beauty where we shall feel nurtured and at peace.