Attending last week’s Mystery School Part 2, held by the Community Learning Circle, was helpful in so many ways, but what I have taken away from this enjoyable evening exploration was the question put out to the audience at the very beginning, “Why did you first come to Findhorn?”

It is a simple question that for many of us holds layers of answers. I had an initial response that night, but something struck me later that moved me to share my response in writing. When I deeply considered this question, the answer that strongly came to me was: I didn’t like what I saw in the world around me. I was looking to find a new way to live and work with others that included our interdependent connection with Spirit and with reverence for the Earth, as well as for each other. It was simple! I found that at Findhorn in September, 1975, and soon it will be the 50th anniversary of my arrival here.

Candlelight meditation in the Universal Hall

Candlelight meditation in the Universal Hall

Through working, playing, laughing, singing, studying with others I learned that the task you are doing is not as important as how you are engaging in the task. Whether it was working in the kitchen, the garden, in the toilets, the engagement would begin with holding hands in a circle, acknowledging the Light and Love in each other, acknowledging Spirit working through our task of the day, acknowledging Nature and the subtle realms as co-creators in our work.

As a 23 year old, I had the sense of “Yes! This is what life is really about!! This is how I want to live!!”

Although I left Findhorn then after three weeks as a guest, the principles that I learned here guided me all my life, through dark and difficult times, both personally and with world situations. I was fortunate to be able to return to Findhorn to live in 2017, with the hope of renewing my commitment to Spirit, humanity, and nature as powerful sources of connection.

What I wonder, from my present day perspective, is whether the 23 year olds who show up at Findhorn today, can find in our community new ways of living in the world, despite the chaos that is so prevalent. I want to believe that we hold love for each other, love for the Earth and connection to Spirit, above our differences with each other. I have seen that spark of joy and hope in the faces of younger people discovering Findhorn. I believe we can all contribute to this spirit of Love and Light thriving in our community as a beacon in a difficult world.

It takes you, me, and all of us to make this happen.

I leave you with a quote from an American Episcopal bishop and member of the Choctaw Nation, Steven Charleston:

“Celebrating what we hope for together is better than fighting over what we believe separately.”

Remember why you came to Findhorn…

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Photo credits: Thank you to the Findhorn Foundation for the use of these images.