Page 9 - C.A.L.L. #37 - Winter 2013/2014
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A coming together of Camphill and the intentional communities movement:
1TCommunal Pathways to Sustainable Living
Andrew Plant, Milltown Community near Aberdeen, Scotland
I have lived in Camphill communities in north by two 'Focalisers'. Here also we were
east Scotland for many years and over this introduced to the Findhorn practice of
time I have visited the world-famous attunement. Before each activity - whether
Findhorn Community several times, but, it is washing up after a communal lunch,
despite my interest, I had never had the taking part in a work project, or a session
opportunity to take part in any of their of life-sharing-even before each session
many residential courses. Over this time I during the conference - the group would
have also become increasingly fascinated by have a moment of peace. Somebody would
the history, development and modern guide the group to find an inner stillness
manifestations of intentional communities, and to create an inner mood of mindfulness;
and especially interested in what light they mindfulness of where we are, of what we
can throw on the questions facing Camphill are going to be doing, of the other people in
communities today. the group and to bring to mind the
Fortunately for me, these two interests significance of the moment and the active
came together this June 2013 when the presence of all beings both visible and non-
International Communal Studies Association visible. In the same way activities often
(ICSA) held its conference at The Findhorn ended with a checking out, a moment of
Foundation - a conference of over two reflection to bring the activity to a close
hundred and fifty people, both community before moving on to the next thing. This
researchers and academics and also people practice is part of the legacy of the
living in intentional communities. A further founders of Findhorn, especially Eileen and
element was that Jan Martin Bang, who has Dorothy. Eileen Caddy received guidance in
spent many years living in kibbutzim and in her meditations from an inner source that
Camphill and is the author of several books she called 'the still small voice within' and
about Camphill and about eco-villages, has Dorothy Maclean was able to intuitively
been the Chair of the ICSA for the last contact the nature spirits that gave her
three years. In this time he made it his instructions in how to work in harmony with
mission to bring Camphill and the worldwide nature in growing herbs, flowers and the
movement of intentional communities closer legendary Findhorn vegetables. We had also
together, and this conference was very an introduction to the Findhorn 'Game of
much where this happened. Transformation', a form of board game that
The conference itself ran from Wednesday that can lead to new insights in self-
26 to Friday 28 June, but before this began awareness and to a new understanding of
I had signed up for the three day 'Taster key issues in a person's life.
of Findhorn' programme. There were about Part of the taster experience was a tour of
sixty of us, all of whom later took part in the two main campuses: Findhorn Park near
the conference. This was a chance to the village of Findhorn and Cluny Hill in
immerse oneself in the culture of Findhorn - Forres. I was especially impressed by the
to find out more about the history and two new co-housing developments at the
development of the community, to meet and Park that have been built over the last
talk to community members, to sing, dance years. Not only are these a visible sign of
and play games and to bond and share with the fact that Findhorn is expanding but also
the others in several small groups, each led a sign that the Foundation is becoming yet
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