FINDHORN FOUNDATION OUTREACH TRIP
to BRAZIL, ARGENTINA and CHILE February – May, 1992
AND THE IMPACT OF THE FINDHORN COMMUNITY IN SOUTH AMERICA

Report to the Findhorn Foundation Education Branch and Board of Trustees
by Charles Petersen and Jashana Kippert
May 1992

In South America as elsewhere, the Findhorn Community represents a beacon of hope for what is possible: an experiment of community that works. Yes, the “magic” as reported by Paul Hawken’s book (the first book on Findhorn published in Spanish, along with Peter Tompkins’ The Secret Life of Plants) has caught people’s attention here, as it has in other places. But more important seems to be the possibility of community. In Argentina and Chile, during the years of their respective dictatorships, we’ve been told that any attempts of group activity were repressed. And although in the character of the people in these countries there is found a strong ego and individualism, we’ve become aware of an interest in and a “pull” towards community – at least as an idea. In looking for examples, the Findhorn Community shines out. For “Findhorn” is seen as a contemporary experiment that works, that blends recognition of spirit, concern for the environment, and practical aspects of people living together – money, organisation, conflict resolution, etc.

Our other strong impact comes via Eileen’s books – and recently, Dorothy’s book as well. In South America five of Eileen’s guidance books are now in print in Spanish; God Spoke to Me is in its eleventh edition (of 3000 copies each). Numerous individuals have mentioned how much they value having God Spoke to Me as a personal reference. Clearly the guidance “translates” equally well in Spanish. Errepar, our publisher in Buenos Aires, reports growing interest in Findhorn’s books, which are being exported to six other Latin American countries, as well as to Miami! Carol Riddell’s The Findhorn Community is now being translated, as well as Sir George’s Summons to a High Crusade (lectures given at Findhorn).

The workshops and presentations that were organized for our tour met with great success. All of our 3-day “experience weekends” were fully subscribed (groups of 18 to 27 participants). Our open introductory presentations (with the Findhorn audio-visual) drew large attendance. To highlight two of the elements included in what we are offering in South America: Sacred dance is very well received among the people we have worked with, and is identified with what the Findhorn Community represents. Nazaré Community in Brazil has become a focal point for spreading sacred dance throughout that country. Where we offered sacred dance sessions in Argentina and Chile, there was clear appreciation, and requests that we do more. A sacred dance workshop can also serve as an introduction that can inspire participation in our other experiential programmes.

Secondly, the Angel Cards and the Game of Transformation, in our experience, have a value in South America – in another idiom – equivalent to their use with English- speaking groups. Already “informal” translations of these have been done in Portuguese and Spanish; we recommend that the Game’s producers authorize its production in these languages.

The Findhorn Foundation continues to affirm its role as a centre for planetary transformation; in parts of the world such as South America, it’s rewarding to be able to make a personal response to the note we sound, and to foster the collective raising of consciousness in these distant countries. Many of the current challenges facing the planet (including pollution and population growth to name but two) are really being felt, and being addressed, in the so-called Third World. The Findhorn Foundation has the opportunity to add its unique voice in distant countries, as well as at home in the Community, in the work toward planetary change. By investing our resources in this kind of outreach work, we respond to a need that is becoming more visible, and surely will grow.

An image I find useful is that of humanity having its head in the North and its feet in the South; presently the head is very large, the feet very small. Accepting the idea that the South indeed has a key role in aiding humanity’s grounding and unity, the Findhorn Foundation can contribute to that process, using our basic tools for enabling personal awareness and building group consciousness.

Appendices

1. Programmes offered during the 1992 trip

Argentina
Introductory evening + 3-day weekend: San Marcos Sierras (24 people)
7-day Experience week: Aguas Claras community, Cordoba (29 people)
Introductory evening + 3-day weekend: Buenos Aires (21 people)
6-hour seminar (with Elpis Foundation): Buenos Aires (40 people)
3-day weekend: Mar del Plata (27 people)
Introductory evening + 2 evenings sacred dance: Bariloche (45 people)

Chile
3 evenings games & sacred dance: Santiago (35 people)
3-day weekend: Santiago (Puangue) (18 people)
Audio-visual + 2 experiential sessions:
“Pathways to Growth” seminars, Santiago (100 people)

Additional activities:

Brazil
Visit to Nazaré Community; interest in an exchange

Argentina
Newspaper interview: “Pagina 12”, Buenos Aires
Visit to Errepar publishers, Buenos Aires
Magazine interview re Charles’ & Jashana’s personal stories: Uno Mismo, Argentina Video interview re our work in Argentina for Elpis Foundation
A/V and sharing with informal group: Villa Gessel

Chile
Sharing with informal group: San Alfonso (Santiago)
A/V and sharing: Agua Viva centre, Santiago
TV interview, aired on Chilean television
Magazine interview: Uno Mismo, Chile
Guest at a top-level governmental/business seminar on environmental concerns, Santiago

Peru
Informal exploration re future programmes in Lima

Potential for the future: Doing more of the same! Repeating in the same locations, and adding others. Working with Luis Frejtman, director of the Elpis Foundation, to stimulate community formation in various groups around South America. Enabling visits to South American communities by members of communities in the North — for mutual benefit.

2. Financial Report

The amount of income that can be expected from Findhorn programmes in South America varies from country to country, and is subject to dramatic fluctuations in the respective country’s economies. What is true one year may be quite different in the following year.

Income from the 1992 trip:
Argentina with a relatively prosperous economy, and excellent organisation and support, the six programmes provided income of £1600, plus hosting and internal travel for the 5-week period.
Chile Chile’s relatively lower-level economy, and with less lead-time for programme promotion, provided £300 income, plus partial hosting for 2 1/2 weeks.

Expenses: (12 weeks)

Travel to South America (Charles return, Jashana one-way) £1169
Insurance (Charles) £122
Administration £100
Internal travel, South America £100
Living expenses *see note £586

Total £2422

Additional for change of dates on air travel (due to cancellation of Spain workshop) £192
Donation by Charles towards expenses -£170

Adjusted total £2444

*Note: Appreciation goes to numerous people who offered hospitality during the trip, resulting in an average living expense over 12 weeks of less than £4 per person per day.

In summary, the net expense incurred by the Findhorn Foundation: £550, approximately. With the experience gained from this tour, on a return trip to these countries it is reasonable to expect that a greater proportion of the expenses can be covered from income earned.

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Featured image: Charles and Jashana beginning their Findhorn Outreach tour at the home of Josephine and Fabio Chappe, near El Bolson, Argentina, 1992 photo Charles Petersen