Thank you to each and everyone who sent in their responses to our survey. This was the first time that we have done this survey and although the number of respondents was not as high as we had hoped for, we still think that it is worthwhile reporting the results as we feel they represent a meaningful list.

In numerical terms it is clear that the writings of, and films about, the founders of the Community hold the greatest importance for our readers. The three autobiographies and the publications of guidance, such as Opening Doors Within and Come Closer, are mentioned frequently.

Our analysis showed:

Top 5 personal favourite books

Eileen Caddy: Flight Into Freedom and Beyond
Peter Caddy: In Perfect Timing
Dorothy Maclean: Memoirs of an Ordinary Mystic
Alex Walker: The Kingdom Within
Eileen Caddy: Opening Doors Within

Articles/posts

There were no clear forerunners, clearly everyone has their own personal favourites and there are just so many to choose from.

Top 5 personal favourite Films

Mainly Magnus from 1973 
Visionary Voices – Eileen and Dorothy on the God Within (1991)
Findhorn Documentary 1975 by Tory Mudd
Turning Point – A Return to Community (2009) by Lisa Mead
Visionary Voices – Founders (1991)

Top 12 of must read/watch

Paul Hawken: The Magic of Findhorn
Dorothy Maclean: Memoirs of an Ordinary Mystic
Eileen Caddy: Flight Into Freedom and Beyond
Peter Caddy: In Perfect Timing
50th Birthday Book – Spirit of the Future
Eileen Caddy: Opening Doors Within
The Findhorn Garden (we have the first edition from 1969 in our eBook Library)
Alex Walker: The Kingdom Within
Dorothy Maclean: To Hear the Angels Sing: An Odyssey of Co-Creation with the Devic Kingdom
Eileen Caddy: God Spoke To Me
Mainly Magnus from 1973 
COIF Topic posts
Visionary Voices – Founders (1991)

However, as it is often the case, it is the free text answers that give most insight.

The overwhelming feedback was that people found it daunting to answer the questions.

  • “It is difficult to make a selection as there is such a plethora of works, authors and perspectives.”
  • “It was a very difficult task because there is so much there – and each item gives a glimpse of the whole, each one is a fractal.”

At the same time, recognising the importance of a list “Of course, this is subjective, but a list of recommended authors would be a great addition.”

It is the subjective nature of any such list which prompted the COIF Core Team to undertake the COIF Hall of Fame 2024 survey in the first place, trusting that the wisdom of a larger group might create a more robust outcome.

As reasons for their choices, respondents stated:

  • “They are a cross-section, representing the many different avenues to explore the Community’s culture and underpinnings”
  • “Because all of them represent what Findhorn is for me, each one in different ways.”

They emphasise the role of the founders and the ‘source material’

  • “The source material for the three founders is fascinating and is the best introduction.”
  • “Most important is to keep stories from the past so that newcomers know how it all started.”

They describe the importance of the material due to their transformative power of consciousness both for individuals and humanity:

  • “most importantly the relationship with the kingdoms of Nature and the elementals. This is a unique event in human history.”
  • “They all inspired me to follow my inner calling with trust and inspiring others in the same way, to trust themselves and their inner callings”
  • “They led to the transformation of my life and that of my family”

The answers validate the undertaking of the COIF website to create a collective autobiography, to make the stories and records accessible to the public. The delicious problem remains: there is so much to share about our Community, from the past as well as the present, that it is difficult to come up with a definite list.

Perhaps we have to trust that the ‘Mystery School’ will continue to provide the relevant material in perfect timing. In the past it was books falling off bookshelves, nowadays it is YouTube videos or Google Searches that bring up the perfect next impulse on the path of waking up, learning and growing.