An aspect of group consciousness, a rather ‘magical’ one, occurred towards the end of my time as a guest in 1984. Piles of earth appeared around the steps leading down to the garden at Cluny. I asked Pieter, Cluny’s focalizer, what was happening.
“The sewer is clogged,” he said. “We’ve been digging to find the blockage, but so far, nothing. It’s been a few weeks and I’m ready to call a meeting of all the members to look at what might be blocking us … you know, maybe spiritually, or psychologically.”
My curiosity was piqued. “Please can I be a part of that meeting? I promise to stay quiet in the back of the room. I just want to know how the Cluny membership works together. I’m gonna be a member myself pretty soon.”
Pieter agreed, and when I walked into the room, he directed me to sit on the floor in the back. Then he called the meeting to order.
“We have not found the sewer’s blockage. It’s time for us to look deeper into why. Is there something that needs to be aired, some stuckness?”
A few members, one by one, spoke of certain problems they were having, with Pieter in particular. He had not included them in many of his decisions. Others felt the expertise in their department was not valued, that he ought to let them help more. Unaware of the part he had played in the blockage, Pieter listened their feedback and promised to include others more in the day-to-day running of the place. A lightness filled the room and the meeting ended with humour and good will.
The next day the sewer cleared.
(Just to say this is my memory of the story. Others may remember this differently. Would be great to hear their take.)

Bonnie Blue