I trained as a Secondary School teacher and loved the 3 years I taught English and History at the Christian Brothers College in Cape Town, and one year in Salisbury, Rhodesia at Allan Wilson High School. At the end of our year in Rhodesia, Richard and I decided to travel abroad, via Europe to India to find a Guru, as was the fashion in the 70’s. It was a 5 year plan, to travel, work as teacher and doctor along the way, and find ourselves, and a new approach to the world. We had to go via the UK so that Richard could get a British passport, which was essential in those days of UDI in Rhodesia – white Rhodesians couldn’t travel anywhere. So I left my job, and Richard finished his internship as a doctor in the Harare hospital, and we set off for London.

In London we met up with friends who told us about this vegetarian commune in the north of Scotland, Findhorn. It sounded interesting, and we thought it was worth a visit, on our way to India. We stood on the M6 north, to hitch hike. The first car that stopped was a speedy sportscar, and the driver was going to Inverness! At Inverness we had to decide whether to go west to Loch Ness or east, to this place Findhorn, where we could get a decent vegetarian meal! (In those days, vegetarian meals were scarce, and we ate a lot of toasted cheese sandwiches) But we promised each other that we would only stay for the weekend, and not get caught up there.

We arrived at the Findhorn Caravan Park, and pitched our little tent. There was the Lollipop Shop, that had been converted into a tiny theatre, and on our first evening, we watched an amazing show, with satire and music that completely blew my mind – as a drama student, I was mad about theatre, and this was some of the best I had ever seen. Michael Worth, Alexis, dancers Simone Worth and Nevena. Amazing. That first week was a life changer – we met the founders, Peter and Eileen Caddy, and they were so different from anyone I had met before. Then we were invited to join the first Experience Week, focalised by Michael Lindfield, so we thought why not? A week out, on our way to India. We had 5 years, after all.

That week was non stop mind blowing explosion! First the theatre, then the ROC presentation where he talked about his experiences with nature spirits and fairies – when I was little I was SURE there were fairies, and here was this elderly Scotsman saying that he had met them! I KNEW they were real! And Eileen, talking so matter-of-factly about hearing the voice of God. Most of all, it was the people who were living in the community – about 150 young people in their 20’s, all who had been drawn to Findhorn in their search for spiritual meaning. It was the most happening place on the planet! They were here to build the New World, and we were here to join them! Peter Caddy was an inspiring leader, completely dedicated to following the word of God. Why go all the way to India, when it was all right here?

We had an interview with Peter, Eileen and Alice to ask if we could stay, and we all felt good about that. However, there was not a single bed available, their caravans were all completely full. So Peter said, if a place became open, it meant we were supposed to stay. We lived for 3 weeks in our little tent, and joined in with activities until coincidentally, a couple split up and their double room in a caravan became available. So we could stay! We lived in a caravan with 3 other people: two in ‘coffins’ 6 feet long by 2 feet wide, and one person in the living room. They were Mary Inglis, Eric Swan (a 6’ 6 American!) and Sue Stern, Richard’s sister. Cosy.

One of my first jobs in the community was to spend half an hour each morning after Sanctuary cleaning the Caddy’s bungalow. Having come from South Africa I thought it quite normal for persons of privilege to have a cleaner. It was indeed a privilege for me, as during that half hour each morning I was privy to the most extraordinary conversations as I carefully brushed the coal dust off the hearth. Peter said nothing was confidential – every person was in the right place at the right time, even an ignorant newcomer such as myself! I heard conversations about the management of the Foundation, financial matters, and even references to the Space Brothers! One morning as I cleaned, I found a couple of whiskey bottles behind the sofa. I mentioned this to Peter, and he casually explained that they belonged to Charles, the chef from Cluny, who had visited them the night before. No shame attached, simply a fact. 

After some time working in the kitchen, learning how to cook for 150 people, and my early morning job cleaning the Caddy bungalow, Peter gave me the task of creating a newsletter – it was called the OpenLetter. I had always secretly wanted to be a journalist, and Peter somehow discovered that and empowered me to do it! Some years later, I helped Eileen to write her autobiography which is one of the most inspiring things I have ever done. It all started from sweeping up coal dust!

Being part of the Findhorn Community at that time meant total commitment to the community, so it was not possible to have a job outside ie to continue as a teacher in a local school. So I took on the teenagers in the community instead, and that was brilliant, but I never went back to teaching, a profession I really loved.

That was the first time the direction of my life radically changed…. the next was later when I went to Russia in 1988…

Liza Hollingshead