David Spangler has called Traigh Bhan on the sacred Isle of Iona the heart chakra of the Findhorn Foundation. I would agree. It’s an incredibly heart opening place for most people. Geologists say the island is 2800 million years old and I find its energy very pure and open. From Iona all the way to Canada there is nothing but a vast expanse of ocean. I first stayed in Traigh Bhan in 1991, as a guest. When I walked through the door my first thought was, Oh, it would be lovely to be the custodian of this house. Ridiculous I thought, but later that week in the sanctuary, I was told very clearly to go for membership of the Findhorn Foundation. Now I am about to start my 16th year as custodian of Traigh Bhan.

When I arrived on Iona there had been little contact with the local crofters who regarded ‘those people from Findhorn’ as a bit weird. Previous custodians had stayed only one or two summers. Returning year after year has helped create strong connections locally. Building relationships with neighbours is wholly important when living on an island; you just never know what might happen. People are reliant on each other. The Iona Group host a tea party and open house at Traigh Bhan every year before the summer season starts, attended by 40 50 islanders.

The weekly Wednesday noon meditations open to everyone as part of the spiritual intention when Traigh Bhan was gifted to the Foundation, are now well known and attended by a wide variety of local people and visitors. David Spangler re-consecrated the Traigh Bhan sanctuary in September 1972 so this year is the 40th anniversary of this incredible and beautiful gift.

Niels Paulsen, interviewed by Harula Ladd