With sections covering Essential Findhorn programmes (such as Experience Week, Spiritual Practice, Exploring Community Life, and Incarnational Spirituality), workshops for creating a new world together (such as Right Livelihood, Joyful Parenting, The Findhorn Way – A Workshop Leader’s Toolkit, and Dreaming the New Dream – Shamanic Visions of Death and Rebirth), special events (such as our autumn conference Forgiveness – The Great Undoing: A gateway to peace and connection) and new additions to our calendar (such as 3-day events with Robert Holden, Andrew Harvey, Jeff Foster and Caroline Myss), there is something for everyone whether you are coming for the first time or returning to renew your inspiration and connection.

We look forward to warmly welcoming you here.

“You can also keep fit by walking on the beach every day,” she encourages.

The timing is perfect. The telephone call comes when I’m wondering how I can best occupy my time before I resume walking, and the answer is suddenly obvious.

To be honest I’m also missing the wonderful sense of community with kindred spirits that Amala and I enjoyed at Findhorn – I relish the idea of sampling life in a small intentional community, this one inspired by Eastern spiritual traditions and especially Osho’s vision of awakening through love, meditation and celebration.

Despite misgivings about what the journey Down Under will do to my carbon footprint, I agree, taking comfort in the knowledge that the Villiera Wine Estate in South Africa, with its commitment to Earth-friendly practices, is planting a tree for every kilometre I walk.

Gondwana turns out to be a little piece of heaven ideally located along the lush sub-tropical coast. It’s little more than an hour’s beach walk from Byron Bay, a popular holiday destination that’s arguably Australia’s capital of spirituality and alternative living.

It’s a half-hour walk to the local beach and my footprints are usually the first in the sand. The water is warm and inviting, and I celebrate meditative alone-time while I have it all to myself.

It’s astonishing how much is happening in the wider area, and the nearby BluesFest attracts the Who’s Who of the music world, among them international artists like Paul Simon. Sadly Australia is super-expensive and I can’t afford a concert ticket, although I do enjoy lots of free music courtesy of the talented artists who play most nights on Byron street corners.

A highlight is a visit to the town of Nimbin where the hippie culture continues to thrive. The love and peace generation descended on the former dairy-farming centre for a festival in 1973 and never left, creating communities dedicated to living in harmony with the Earth and each other. They famously stopped logging of the local rainforests and raised awareness about the culture and rights of Aboriginal people. They’re caring, colourful and still bemoaning the fact that it’s illegal to grow cannabis. More than once I’m offered some, but decline with a smile. I get high enough on life itself!

The Nimbin Museum in the town centre is enormous fun, and Amala and I pose in an iconic flower-power VW Bus, typical of an era when I was having my own awakening as a teenager across the world in California. The issues were similar: we protested against war, exploitation and a society gone crazy and worshipping at the altar of money and materialism.

Geoff and Amala having fun in the Nimbin Museum

While there isn’t quite the same feeling of connection I’ve known at Findhorn, where I have lunch and dinner in the Community Centre every day, I enjoy the Wednesday night gatherings in the main house at Gondwana where 20 or 30 like-minded souls meet for a healthy vegetarian meal and animated conversation.

We agree that instead of trying to dominate and control, we humans need to recognise that we are but a strand in the web of life, celebrating the interconnectedness and interdependence of all life. Life is an experiment and we’re doing the best we can.

There are around 15 property owners in the community and a handful of others in modest dwellings. Amala and I have our accommodation free on the understanding that we work a few hours each week. We’re part of a worldwide movement of WWOOFers (Willing Workers on Organic Farms) who travel cheaply and experience a more Earth-friendly way of living while offering their labours in exchange for food and shelter.

Some of the key players in an initiative to plant trees and create koala-friendly havens

Our’s is but one of many similar projects and local organiser Bela Allen explains that the tree planting isn’t only about koalas but bringing the community together.

Jo Green is a passionate project officer from the local Byron council and insists: “The message for the next generation is not to worry about material things.”

Angus Underwood, an environmental team leader whose wife is expecting their third child, tells me: “A lot of what motivates me is undoing past damage for the benefit of future generations and all biodiversity.”

Everywhere I go there are signs warning the oil, gas and coal companies that their greed and destructiveness is not welcome, and already two mining companies have had to place a moratorium on their fracking plans.

Hundreds of trees were planted to create safe space for threatened koalas as well as a ready food source

We also attend an inspiring round table discussion in the Byron Community Centre entitled A Climate for Change. Among the panel of speakers is Helena Norberg-Hodge who presents a powerful argument for localisation as a key to what she refers to as ‘the economics of happiness.’ It’s about being more conscious and thinking globally while acting locally.

After brief presentations by seven speakers, including a woman who is a leader of an Aboriginal community and a passionate advocate of a more intimate relationship with the land, the panelists join us at our individual tables for further discussions.

At my table there is long hair, beards, dreadlocks, a physicist, surgeon, spiritual activist and a common sense of concern.

I volunteer my belief that a core problem is humanity’s disconnection from the natural world around us. It is when we take time to immerse ourselves in the beauty of nature that we are overcome with feelings of love and peace, intuitively understanding the interdependence and sacredness of all life. When you love your world you won’t harm it – it’s that simple.

At the end of the evening, we agree that we are the ones we have been waiting for. Best we get busy…

Against a backdrop of clear blue skies, bright sunshine and pristine white snow, members of the community gathered to celebrate the handing over of keys to the initial tenants and homeowners. The land and buildings were blessed in traditional Findhorn style with a moment of silence, a prayer and blessings and then David Hammond of Dunelands Ltd led the key handover and tape cutting by one of the new residents. The delighted recipients of keys were kind enough to welcome curious viewers to their beautiful light-filled flats.

These homes are the first to be completed out of the 25 dwellings that make up the East Whins Co-housing cluster situated on what was originally known as the Magic Triangle. The project itself has had a long journey starting with the purchasing of the land 15 years ago by the Dunelands Board. Members of the board spoke of how they managed to fundraise for the purchase of the land within a very tight deadline. Bill Henderson, the initial managing director of the project, expressed his gratitude to his successors and appreciated the way the buildings reflected the community. Jonathan Caddy described his years of involvement as a rollercoaster and he thanked the shareholders and voluntary board of Dunelands Ltd for holding the vision throughout this time.

Whatever you can do or dream you can, begin it, just begin it. Boldness has genius, power and magic in it.

Goethe

Inspired by other co-housing examples within the community such as Station House in Findhorn village and the Centinis in the Park, Dunelands wanted to take their approach to communal living a step further. One of the unique features are the communal spaces developed to serve the East Whins community, and to also offer space for them to share with the wider community. These spaces include a kitchen, eating/lounging area, bike shed, workshop and laundry.

Registered charity The Park Ecovillage Trust held a vision for affordable and accessible housing for all. They created the Park Housing Co-Operative to allow community fundraising, which manifested two units as shared ownership and two rentals designated as community care flats providing a new role for PET as landlords. PET hopes that such housing opportunities can continue within the future development of West Whins. Particularly inspiring is the amount of support and effort that has been put into this project by the entire community.

This huge step forward in developing ecological, affordable, communal housing really helps cement Findhorn on the map of environmentally conscious development and follows in its tradition of pioneering inspired ecological buildings.

This project has highlighted perseverance and faith over a long and bumpy ride ultimately ending in satisfied and settled community members. In the next four weeks the rest of the homes will be completed and another ceremony will be held. Blessings to all the residents starting life in their new homes – an extension of our growing community.

Friday morning
Barbara Swetina introduces her long-term friend Sheila Pettitt, “This is my co-minstrel with a Celtic voice who brings nature into her music.” They hold the session together each contributing their own special focus. As an invocation, Sheila plucks her harp and Barbara joins in seamlessly with her recorder. The sounds of the two instruments merge to create magical tones and we all join in with the soft ethereal song ‘The wings of my heart carry me on’.

Sheila asks us to develop our awareness of listening, forming a close-knit group as we sing so we can experience our combined sounds as a meditative massage. I become aware of where the sound is being made in my body and the silence we come into as we complete the sounds. She then leads us in a range of exercises for toning, breathing and sculpting sound, including one where we bark like a dog to see how we're using our muscles! I wonder how these warm ups will relate to our singing but my mind is put to rest as soon as we are singing again. I can feel how this new body sound awareness inspires my voice.

Together we sing ‘Bismillah’, a familiar song within the community as part of Findhorn sacred singing. Barbara explains how sometimes when we know a song well we sing it automatically and these exercises create a more conscious journey with the sounds. As we begin to sing in rounds, a meditative and spiritual sense to the song shines through. I feel that we could not sing slowly enough; the newly heightened sense of awareness makes me want to savour every note and is increased as we add simple gestures and movements to the words.

Barbara suggests we feel the universe inside us and connect with the universe outside as we move. The movements spread our blessings out into the world as we imagine stepping into our greater universal self. The rounds of song and movement become like waves of a prayer washing over us and rippling out, finishing in a motionless hum and the renewal of silence of collective beings. The session completes with a slideshow of images depicting the effects of prayerful sound on auras and sound waves. I can see what I have physically felt and heard, which grounds the experience within the musical universe even more deeply.

Friday afternoon
As we filtered back into the Universal Hall after the tea break, David and Vera had us gather together and led us in a fresh rendition of a song we sang during our 50th birthday week celebrations, "Let the beauty we love be what we do, There are hundreds of ways to kneel and kiss the ground". The altos begin the round, with the soprano, tenor and bass voices joining in as the singing prayer unfolded. What a beautiful way to start our last conference group session together before tonight's grand finale celebration.

Peter Vallance and conference co-focaliser John Willoner whisked through the obligatory closing announcements, a necessary but seemingly brief interruption before they handed over to Ali to guide us in a 'thank you' song to recognise, name and thank all the community workers who helped behind the scenes to support this delightful event — from office team members to those who made the teas and cleaned the facilities. Styled on the famed 60s video version of Bob Dylan's Subterranean Homesick Blues, Peter and David held up and discarded prompt cards with various titles and names on them as Ali cajoled us with an impromptu "Yeah oh yeah, yeah yeah yeah, hey (read name off card), we thank you for your…."

Returning to a more sober mood, Peter then took the opportunity to invite the presenters into our midst to receive a gift as a personal thank you for their individual and collective contributions. Not missing a beat, Peter was invited into the centre of the floor to receive all our appreciation and thanks, by way of a prolonged standing ovation, for his vision and dedication in bringing this event together.

To close the afternoon, we gently danced and sang the same song Barbara had led us in at the beginning of the event, "Ancestors, sky people…" segueing into choir leaders Bill and Kate leading us in a song written by Ali Burns:

Think of me, forget me not
Remember me wherever you go
I am yours and you are mine
Remember me wherever you go

What a wonderful blessing to offer fellow participants. We walk together, individuals becoming pairs, pairs becoming foursomes, until we intertwine into one tight knot of humanity.

Friday evening
Every seat in the Hall was filled for the grand finale of the EarthSings conference as our host, Kate O’Connell, introduced the evening. “Let us bless ourselves, bless this place and relax as we enjoy the performances. You are all encouraged to join in towards the end!”

With Kathy Bullock opening the show there was no way we were going to wait until then to join in. I recognised the familiar tones of a song Kathy had shared with us earlier in the week, “You are welcome, you are welcome, you are welcome to this place.” As I write, I sing the melody to myself and wish for the warmth of this song to jump into your heart as you read the words. I felt a great sense of belonging and also excitement at the thought of Kathy coming back for a week-long workshop next year.

The four main presenters of the conference shared the beauty and inspiration of the songs they’d be teaching during the week, beginning with the calm energy of Sr Fionntulach. “These are ancient Gaelic chants that reach back over 1,500 years. It's a bit like Celtic Tai Chi,” she explained, “Feel the elements of wind, waves, rocks and mud.”

Participants who had been following her workshops during the week came down to the centre of the Hall. Several singers stood in the middle as others formed a circle around them, walking slowly as they sang and made gentle hand movements that emphasised the words. I listened to these love songs to God, inviting us to come closer, and felt their resonance with our community. Heartfelt prayer followed one after another and I was struck by the joyful expression on Sr Fionn’s face as she sang with her eyes closed, leading those around her into the soul of Scotland.

Frank Kane and the participants from his workshops followed with songs from the Republic of Georgia. “This is one of the oldest documented traditions in the world,” Frank said. “May every soul be blessed, may every soul rejoice.” The Georgian culture is strongly rooted in nature as we are here and grows out of the land in a similar way to the Celtic tradition. The deep contrast was powerful between the more gentle Celtic sounds and the stronger Georgian sounds, both with inherent beauty, and the richness filled the Hall.

Contemporary Scotland came to the stage next with the voice of Ali Burns and I was struck by the familiar words of Amazing Grace sung to a very different tune. I’d heard this modern version taking shape during the week and was amazed at the incredible change in just a few days and the maturity of sound.

I remember standing in the Cathedral in Santiago de Compostella after the forty days of my Camino pilgrimage a few years ago, moved to tears by a soloist singing the traditional Amazing Grace. Ali’s melody, with Kathy Bullock accompanying on the piano, somehow touched me even more deeply, perhaps the dance between familiar/unfamiliar heightening my senses. It was touching to witness the support the presenters offered each other, sharing their musical gifts beyond ego.

Ali’s songs were deeply personal. “After my father died in 2004 I felt stuck in clichés and decided to give myself space for a year to take the pressure off,” she shared. “Eventually my partner said to me just go and write a song! It's how I process my feelings.”

“The Vow” was written to celebrate love, with the wonderful chorus, Say yes, say yes repeated a few times. “When love needed a road we built it. We shouldered the stones and the dirt and built it. We set aside our hurts and built it, when love needed a road.” Practising this song earlier in the week the words had felt like an important reminder and this evening to hear the community choir in full song was immensely powerful. I imagine even more so for the singers at the heart of the sound. Their connection with Ali was tangible and I felt blessed to be living in a community that so often experiences the heart-opening potential of song.

The entertainment of the evening changed as Sr Fionn announced, “I'm surprised there were no April Fool’s Day jokes here at Findhorn.” Kathy moved around the Hall singing the Holy Fool chant with ominous tones and after some searching through the audience found him – in the form of Peter Vallance! She presented Peter with a yellow crown decorated with snowdrops and feathers that bounced around joyfully on his head.

Peter then proceeded to share about the revolutions that had taken place during the week. “This is a vegetarian community and yet on Thursday people ate lamb during the Supra dinner.” Gasps of shock from the audience! “Would you like to eat meat more often?” Peter asked. A resounding and reassuring, “No” came back.

"We eat at 6 in the evenings," Peter continued, "have seconds at 6:30, KP begins at 6:45, the bus to The Park leaves at 7:15." He gently mocked our well-established community rhythms and rituals. "But on Thursday, food was served at 6:20 and we had dessert normally reserved for Fridays!" Peter's great contribution as events organiser was widely recognised by everyone in the Hall and there was a huge round of applause before the interval began.

The second half of the evening began with Kathy Bullock invoking the powerful energy of the gospel movement through the song Vow to the Lord followed by a jaunty Hallelujah. "This is the way we sing praises to our Lord," we sang in unison, the audience soon on their feet and moving to the music, smiling and clapping to the rhythm. The next song included a duet between Kathy and Nadasree Gadas, the Park hostess throughout the week. I'd never heard Nadasree sing before. Wow, it was a stunning performance of the song, "I feel seasons everywhere" with the lyrics "Those seeds that you've sown are going to come into their own" sung with both tenderness and passion.

I imagined Eileen Caddy enjoying the next song, which resonated deeply with her belief that she instilled in the community, "All is very, very well." The large choir gathered even more closely around Kathy playing the piano and launched into singing "Everything will be all right … After the storm the cloud passes over." Every song was imbued with soul-stirring inspiration that I found impossible to ignore. Everyone in the Hall seemed to delight in song after song and the powerful voice of the collective was clear as Gospel came to Findhorn in full force!

The next song "I'm looking for a miracle" seemed almost written for the community and inspired by our 'Expect a Miracle' cards – it just had the gospel attitude instead! "I expect the impossible, I feel the intangible, I see the invisible," we sang together, Martin Barker joining in with a drumbeat.

Kathy's star power lit up the Hall and the energy continued to lift even more after an evening of song so powerful I expected the roof to lift from the Hall any moment. Amidst cheers of celebration Peter Vallance thanked the many people involved in making this wonderful event happen and left us with these inspiring words, "Let's take the fire into our hearts and carry the light out into the world, to light new fires of hope, peace, unity and wellbeing in the world."

Wednesday night

It's Wednesday night and I'm here in the Universal Hall, waiting for highly acclaimed Scottish singer/songwriter Karine Polwart to step onstage. The atmosphere in the Hall is alive with the excitement and expectancy of a crowd who have come from near and far, some only for tonight's concert and others here as part of the EarthSings conference.

Accompanied by her brother Steven Polwart on vocals and guitar, and by Shetland native Inga Thomson on vocals, accordion, finger piano and percussion, Karine sings a diverse range of songs, accompanying herself at times on a melodious instrument resembling a harmonium.

While known for the way she draws from folk music's long tradition, it is very obvious from the words she's written that Karine is keenly aware of the issues affecting people in Scotland today. Sharing with us what inspires or enrages her, Karine draws us into her world, and connects us to the world we all share. More than once, she invites our participation by teaching us the chorus of a song and encouraging us to join in.

Karine has come to Findhorn with her partner and children, enjoying a few days of holiday while celebrating spring. She tells us that one of her children is really excited that tomorrow they are going to visit the 'Hobbit House', which is of course our own beloved Nature Sanctuary. Family life is clearly paramount for Karine, heard in the tenderness with which she sings Five More Sleeps, a song about Skype phone calls with her children when she is away on tour.

Birds also feature strongly in Karine's lyrics. The robin, with its red breast; the wren, the King of Birds; and her favourite, the heron, which she reckons she would be if she was a bird. We laugh with Karine as she describes the heron as a bit gangly and slightly uncouth, identifying with this very talented woman who has the ability to take herself lightly.

I have thoroughly enjoyed this evening, my heart and soul truly touched by this trio of singer/songwriters.

Thursday afternoon

After experiencing the bliss of Michael Stillwater's Chantwave on Tuesday evening, I am really looking forward to today's session with him. This afternoon is the Honouring Ceremony, healing through music. We are recipients of transformative, spontaneously created songs of healing. This time with Michael is a chance to surrender to spirit, to the moment, and to whatever is alive within us. The invitation is to step forward into the circle to release something or call something forth for change and healing.

Entering the Universal Hall I find groups of participants dotted around and as Michael invites us all to come closer, an intimate circle is created around him. Michael explained to me earlier that he has always done the honouring on his own, calling forth whatever moved within him to offer as a healing song. For the first time here at Findhorn other singers will join Michael, spontaneously offering their voices and words to Michael's. I was surprised and delighted to see that the singers, sat in a half circle around Michael, were our EarthSings presenters Kathy Bullock, Fionntulach, Ali Burns and Karine Polwart! Joined by community members Barbara Swetina and Martin Barker they make up a ring of talented musicians. Hearing all of them sing together in this intimate gathering of healing feels like such a privilege.

The ceremony begins with the first recipient stepping into the circle. Michael suggests that she allow the possibility that the healing has already occurred. He then plays gently on the guitar and begins to sing, filling the circle with his powerful voice. Joined at first by a few, then by all the singers, an exquisite communal song emerges. Each singer comes in with their own felt words and melody, joining each other to compose one beautiful harmonic mantra. These are all extraordinary singers alone but together they make a moving, powerful call to spirit, a celebration of voices, a prayer. The music flows over me, through me, beyond thought to body, energy and spirit. We all move to the music and join in as each piece resonates within us.

Michael again has created a spell of blissful connection. As the ceremony draws to a close I understand why Michael calls this the Honouring ceremony. I feel we have been honoured by these healing glorious voices, but above all we have honoured the process of healing through the communal power of intention and song.

Thursday evening

Tonight I have the wonderful opportunity to attend what I discover is another first taking place in the Findhorn Foundation. Arriving at the Community Centre for a Georgian supra, I am immediately struck by the warm and inviting atmosphere that has been created to welcome those of us participating in this ritualised, sacred collective meal. The polished wooden tables, normally spread out around the room, have been joined into one big table. I learn that in Georgia the table is a symbol of unity, and so for this meal during which we remember and reinforce the universal human values and principles that hold us together, no table is allowed to be separate from another. Our appreciation is offered to Park Homecare and David Janes for their ingenuity in arranging the tables to be as one.

Candlelight and flowers add their softness and beauty, while bread and wine speak to us of nourishment and sacrament. As is tradition here at Findhorn, we begin by blessing the delicious food that has been prepared, with gratitude given to Thomas George, Desie Opgenoort and the kitchen staff, volunteers, gardeners and all those who have brought this meal into being. Appreciation is given to the Cullerne gardeners who are serving our meal and cleaning up afterwards.

As the Foundation's representative, Peter Vallance holds the place of host for this supra. After welcoming his guests, it is the host's duty to choose the Tamada, or toastmaster. The Tamada is the one who leads the supra by choosing the themes of the toasts that give the meal its structure and rhythm. He opens himself to be inspired by the people at the table and lets come to him the words that will progressively lead the people to open themselves and share their most intimate thoughts and feelings. Tonight we are honoured to have Frank Kane as our Tamada and Barbara Swetina, whom Frank has chosen, as our Moadgile, or deputy toastmaster.

Peter starts us off with a Celtic blessing, drawing our attention to the empty place left at the table for the stranger with whom we share our hospitality and the abundance that we ourselves are about to enjoy. More than once tonight, the similarities between ancient Scottish culture and that of Georgia are brought to our awareness. Peter then hands over to Frank who speaks of tonight as an opportunity to learn about a ritual form used by the Georgians to build cohesion. In this ritual form, the words we say to each other are an act of cohesion and the drinking of the wine the way in which we make sacred the words we've spoken. The songs that are sung will be those that capture the spirit of the toasts that are made.

One of the themes that Frank leads us into is that of ancestors, origins, roots. Sharing from a very personal space, he speaks of his 12 years of coming to Findhorn, of the acceptance of humanity that he found here when he came for Experience Week back in 2001. Appreciating what he refers to as an acknowledgement of his right to exist, Frank talks about feeling this same acceptance when he is in Georgia. Toasting Eileen and Peter Caddy, Dorothy Maclean, the Findhorn Foundation, the people who are attracted to come here, the nature connection and innovative arts programmes, Frank offers Happy Belated Birthday wishes and blessings on our next 50 years.

Barbara follows on by sharing about when she first came in 1978. Offering a special toast to Dorothy, our surviving founder, as a fountain of inspiration, love and wisdom, Barbara mentions these three pieces of guidance from Dorothy:

All religions agree God is love
God lives within each one of us
Go within

Voices in the ancient polyphony that is a hallmark of Georgian singing fill the room with Mravalzhamier, the Georgian song sung for birthdays and which means many years.

Another ancestor who is honoured tonight is Edischer Garakanidze, the first one to bring Georgian singing to Findhorn in 1995. Here for the conference Songs of Heaven and Earth, Edischer sparked the beginning of what has become a tradition of Georgian singing here. Today that tradition is kept alive by Bill Henderson, Vera Bohlen and Jacqui Watson through the local group they lead, Bukhari (hearth in Georgian) and by Frank through the workshops he offers whenever he comes here.

As the evening unfolds, I experience a depth of intimacy, love and joy between us all that I wouldn't have expected within the context of a formal meal. At one point Frank leads a toast to the power of love in all our lives. Fionntulach offers a Gaelic chant (Love above all else) and invites Kathy Bullock to join her. Together they turn it into a gospel song that I daresay touches the hearts of everyone in the room.

At sunset Peter tells us The Tale of the Woodcutter, a Muslim story of Mushkil Kusha – The Remover of All Difficulties. With sweet dates for us to eat, both as a symbol and a reminder, we are invited to recognise the abundance in our lives and the importance of giving as well as receiving. We then sing a soothingly beautiful healing song Batonebis Simghera that many of us have learned while in Frank's workshop this week.

There were so many exquisite moments tonight and I want to offer my heartfelt love and gratitude to everyone who was there and gave of themselves. Our sacred meal comes to an end with Peter being the first to celebrate Frank as the toastmaster, thanking him for creating this space. As a final blessing, Frank offers these words:

"May the love we've shared be of benefit to all of existence."

Tuesday morning

Tuesday already, which means we're halfway through this wonderful week of singing for unity and wellbeing. It has been an incredible time so far with so much more still to come!

Kate O'Connell leads the first session of the day, giving us a chance to play with rhythm, harmony and words. We begin by taking a few moments to be still and focus on our abdominal area, Kate speaking of Cerridwen's cauldron – the cauldron of creativity – that is to be found in this part of our bodies. From here the universe sings through us. Drawing our attention to 'we are the instrument', Kate asks, What song comes from that centre? She invites us to walk around the room, first quietly, then making our own unique sound, then adding a gesture. We are encouraged to interact with one another as we pass by, exaggerating our sound and gesture. This is fun and also enlightening. One person shares afterwards that she thought that with all the different sounds there would be dissonance. To her delighted surprise she found that not to be so.

The next step is to make our unique sound while joining together in small groups. Again the joy of discovering the music we make together while contributing that which is truly our own. Kate then requests that we take this a few steps further. In small groups and using nonsense syllables such as 'be bop du wop', one person starts with a rhythm, each of us then tuning in and adding a complementary rhythm until with the whole group we have created a song. We do this again, this time using words in the form of a short sentence describing how we feel about being here in the conference. In the group I am with, we sing our own sentences at first and then spontaneously we begin to sing each other's sentences. What a gentle, yet powerful way to step into each other's shoes and feel what someone else is feeling.

Early on in the session Kate had asked the question, How many of you are terrified by the idea of improvisation? At least half the group raise their hands, me included. And yet, that is exactly what we did, and effortlessly! Before we break for tea, we again take a few moments to be still, appreciating the beauty we each contribute to the world.

Tuesday afternoon

We are now at the point in the week where we are to choose which of the ongoing workshops we wish to attend. In these workshops we will build towards a performance for the Final Night Extravaganza. Having heard the powerful resonance and antiquity in the Georgian singing on Saturday night, I am drawn to Frank Kane's workshop.

After a round of names and sharing what we each hope to achieve by participating in this workshop, Frank shares with us about his voice journey and the impact that coming to Findhorn for the first time in July 2001 has had on that journey. He then invites us to see in our mind's eye our own voice journey, those significant times in our lives relating to our voice and singing. Though I don't yet know it, I'm about to take a huge step in empowering my voice.

We spend half of the session exploring vibration in our bodies, that being such an important aspect of not only our singing, but in all the ways in which we express ourselves. As Frank points out again and again, we are vibration. He encourages us to turn our ear receptors way down and our body receptors way up, to hear with our bodies. As he says, the ears will still be a part of hearing, but let the focus be on hearing-by-feeling the sound.

Frank also emphasises the importance of talking/singing from the bones rather than from the musculature as contracting the muscles dampens the vibrations, which in turn dampens the sound. I am starting to understand at a deeper level that to expand, I actually need to go inwards and just be completely present with myself. It is from this place that I can actually touch you with my voice, with my singing.

We spend the rest of the session learning a song of alchemy from the Meskheti region of Georgia called Okro Mchedelo. From a metal shoe that fits a sparrow's foot, the goldsmith is asked to make a shovel, a hoe, a sickle, a knife and a mobile phone. I did say it was a modern song of alchemy, didn't I?! The energy contained in this song is fantastic and I feel exhilarated after we finish.

I head for lunch feeling so nourished already on all levels, and truly blessed to be able to participate in this week.

Tuesday evening

Michael Stillwater sits comfortably on centre stage as we enter the hall, his guitar poised on his knee. He smiles and greets a few of those nearest to him in a relaxed way as community member, Barbara Swetina introduces him.

Tonight, he explains, is ChantWave, the practice of singing to remember who we really are, singing to feel connected to our inner selves, to each other and to life. It will allow us to shift from a ‘head consciousness’ to a ‘heart consciousness’. Michael invites us to take a journey with him, to come out of our busy minds into our hearts through song. He offers us the freedom and encouragement to find our own part in the songs he plays and to join in as we feel moved to. I'm excited and drawn in before he has even begun, this is a journey I want to take with him.

Accompanied only by his acoustic guitar and Martin Barker's soft drumming, Michael's rich powerful voice fills the hall as he begins to create the magical peace that emerges with each successive song. A spell of blissful connection falls over us all as his beautiful voice sings out his profound healing lyrics. We are quiet and still at first, then we begin to move and sway, as bursts of joyful soprano voices erupt around the hall. Eventually everyone is singing, joining their voice in spontaneous contributions to the collective music. Michael promised to soak us in the joy of song and that promise has been fulfilled. I am completely and utterly joyful. Singing these rich, resonant sacred songs, I feel open, connected and entirely at peace. Looking around the hall at the blissful, relaxed faces all singing together, I realise that we have created something special here – a sacred space, a healing space and a true communion with spirit and with each other. Without a doubt, Michael has taken me on the promised journey into my heart.

Monday morning

This morning I arrive at the Universal Hall eagerly anticipating the first session. It’s Harmonic Temple, another of the regular opportunities we have here at Findhorn for healing and transformation through singing. Community members David Harrison and Vera Bohlen offer their love in action throughout the year by leading these Harmonic Temple sessions. Created by a man named Nickomo Clarke, these four-part harmonies bathe the singers in an absolutely delicious energy that leaves one feeling completely whole.

David starts us off this morning with a series of movements to wake every cell in our bodies and bring ourselves fully present to release the voice that comes from deep within. We shake, wobble, jiggle, flap and tap various body parts and give our faces a massage while making a sound. But the best bit is the exercise to clear our throats. With our mouths open and our tongues stuck out as far as possible, we say our full name and address. I heartily recommend you try this at home, especially in the company of friends. Not only will you and your friends have cleared your throats, but you’ll all have a good laugh as well!

Like all the songs I’ve learned in the conference so far, the four-part harmonies are taught by ear, slowly building them up so that everyone feels confident in singing their part. Acknowledging that our natural state of being is compassion, we sing the Tibetan mantra Om Mani Padme Hum, creating a prayer wheel with the four voice parts. To focus our intention, David reads these words:

With every turn of the wheel, we send our prayers to liberate all beings from suffering,
With each turn of the wheel, we become more our authentic loving selves.

From the Tibetan tradition we move to the Christian tradition, singing a Benedictus in Latin, the English translation of which is: Blessed are those who come in the name of God/Spirit/Creator. While the Tibetan chant was a steady rhythm, the Benedictus builds to a crescendo, then flows back into a quiet prayer. We finish by sending the blessing out into the world, perhaps to someone in particular, speaking that person’s name into the circle.

Next this morning is an opportunity to once again sing with Ali Burns. An introductory session to the more focused sessions later in the week, we get a taste of the songs that will be performed on Friday night.

Ali invites us to arrange ourselves in three voice parts – low, middle and high – easily done as the seating in the Hall is in three sections facing the centre. Using her snapping fingers and tapping feet to help us keep the rhythm, and her tuning fork to help us find our starting note, we very quickly learn and then sing a few lines from a beautiful love song Ali has written using words inspired by the Gaelic poet, Angus McNicol. I am amazed at the ease with which we achieve such harmony together.

Ali then shares with us a song she wrote for a friend of hers who died suddenly in a car accident. Titled In Green by Day, this song is a tribute to a woman who poured her love into creating a house and home for herself and her family, to tending the land upon which that house was located and to walking the hills of the area in which she lived. One woman in our group expresses that the song feels as much a love song to the land as it is a tribute to a dear friend. It is indeed. As I sing my part and feel what the words and melody invoke, the tears well up from within, both in joy and in sorrow. I feel connected to that of which we are all a part, and know without knowing, that we are all, in Ali’s words, forever turning in the dance.

The last offering for this session is a song Ali wrote after her father died. She apologises, thinking we might find it morbid that two of the songs she’s brought this morning were written as a result of losing a loved one. Not morbid at all, Ali. I am deeply touched by your sharing of your life with us.

This song is called Charm, the words are from the Carmina Gadelica, and I am reminded once again of the Gaels of Scotland who saw the divine as being all around them – in the heavens, in the land, in the seas, in the home, in the everyday. Reflecting on this, it comes as no surprise to me that the Findhorn community was born here.

Monday Afternoon

After enjoying lunch in blissful spring sunshine, a group of 40 of us gathered in the Universal Hall for a practical workshop in Gaelic chants held by Fionntulach, a sister in the Ceilé De order. Speaking about the close relationship between the singing of these ancient words and nature, she explains how the reverent essence of the chants or Fuinn translated nature back into music. Reflecting the dynamic events of the natural world in spring we create sounds to represent the unfurling of fronds and buds. The workshop flows into an awareness of the experiential sense of the sounds within our bodies, feeling where tones resonate most strongly within each of us leading to a sense of heart-warming connection. As we begin to chant prayers, we use sound to encourage movement in our bodies on an individual basis at first, and then as a spiral-walking collective whilst still maintaining any personal movements we feel flowing with our words and sounds.

Sith agus sonas nam Flath — Peace and bliss of Heaven

This introduction to the Fuinn brought to our awareness the way in which the Celts consciously used their chants as a powerful tool to transcend the concept of ‘just singing’ and develop a soul medicine to transform their inner and outer energies.

Monday evening

On Monday evening I felt incredibly blessed to be in the powerful presence of Kathy Bullock, teacher of African-American sacred music, for my first experience of gospel and spiritual sung live!

The combination of a grand piano, a gifted musician, a willing audience and the energy of this musical genre created a rousing atmosphere that moved every soul in the Hall.

Kathy brings such a deep understanding and appreciation of music that I felt immediately inspired and engaged by her joy and enthusiasm. Here is an artist who moved effortlessly between the parts of soprano, alto, tenor and bass, demonstrating each one to the audience as she taught us song after song, with great encouragement, explaining a little bit of history each time.

“This is one of my favourite songs,” she said, “There is a balm in Giliad to make the wounded whole. It is a song filled with hope that our children’s children will see a better future.” Kathy was invited to sing this in a service after the events of 9/11 and the lyrics captured the healing power of hope and the knowledge that from great sorrow great power can emerge.

Inherent in each song I could feel the depth of spiritual potential woven into the words and music, written to inspire people to rise above challenging conditions, recognise the beauty in life and praise our very existence! There were about 200 people in the Hall and together we created a lively atmosphere, following Kathy’s expert lead. Her background merged with the energy of Findhorn, which she recognised as a place of healing and light.

The power of song as a spiritual practice was evident and I marvelled at her ability to be the song, to express the soul of her being through the most incredible voice that seemed to have a range free of limitation. Kathy’s love of music shone through to all of us. At the beginning of the night she asked for the lights to shine on the audience and it was very much an evening of participation and yet performance too.

Martin Barker, a drummer who lives in the community and has his own passion for African music, joined Kathy on stage to share the beat of the djembe, as the audience moved and clapped to the rhythm. Rory O’Connell, another local musician, accompanied Kathy with his saxophone after listening for just a few moments having never heard the song before!

During the evening I closed my eyes and felt the layers of sound melting into each other. The energy and tempo was a powerful force and I would happily have kept singing into the night blending my voice with the audience of many, merging into oneness and celebration of life.

Saturday afternoon

In traditional Findhorn manner, we start our event with a moment’s silence, and as I am to discover it will be one of the few moments of silence as we embark on this enticing journey of joyful singing, creating a harmonic temple together. Peter Vallance, our host and conference focaliser, carries out another Findhorn tradition of lighting a centre candle while he recites an age old Celtic prayer from the Carmina Gadelica – Smooring the Fire:

I will build the hearth,
As Mary would build it.
The encompassment of Bride and of Mary,
Guarding the hearth, guarding the floor,
Guarding the household all…

Peter invites whoever feels drawn to do so to fulfill one more Findhorn tradition – that of choosing an angelic quality to oversee our gathering – and guided by the Angel of SYNTHESIS we greet each other by sounding our names into the space. Some gentle voices, some strong, a real mix of ages and genders and nationalities – a precursor to our voices sounding much more strongly together.

Our visiting presenters, Ali Burns, Frank Kane, Fionntulach and Kathy Bullock (Michael Stillwater and Karine Polwart will arrive later), then introduce themselves with a brief description of what music represents for them, and what they will be sharing with us. To set the tone, Findhorn Community member Barbara Swetina leads us in one of the Songs of Universal Peace.

Only an hour or two into this gathering and already it’s becoming evident that the group energy is building, harmonics rising, voices blending… I don’t count myself a singer but I can feel the bonding and am one of those with a broad smile on my face as we break for tea.

The rest of the afternoon is devoted to the home groups, conference participants gathering in smaller, more intimate groups that will form support and sharing spaces for the rest of the week.

Saturday evening

Tonight an air of expectancy fills the Universal Hall as we take our seats for an evening of performances by several local community choirs. Taught by Findhorn Community members Kate O'Connell, Bill Henderson, David Harrison and Vera Bohlen, these choirs represent all that is inclusive about community choirs — no auditions are necessary and there is no need to read music as all the songs are taught by ear. Everyone who enjoys singing is welcome.

We are treated to a wonderfully rich and varied soundscape of male and female voices — together in large groups, small groups, all male, all female, highs, lows and everything in between.

The Forres Big Choir, now in its 10th year, is up first. Of the three songs they sing, the one that touches something deep inside me is This is My Song. Written in the 1930s by Lloyd Stone and Georgia Harkness, and set to the music of Finlandia composed by Jean Sibelius, it is a vision of a more positive future created by "proclaiming peace together in one song…."

Exploring different ways of tuning to each other is the impulse behind The Wee Big Choir, an offshoot of the Forres Big Choir. One of their offerings tonight is Traveller's Prayer, a song introduced to Kate many years ago by another community member. Written by John Renbourn after he researched the ancient songs found in the Carmina Gadelica, this prayer is an example of the beautiful merging of Pagan and Christian beliefs as lived by the early Gaels of this land.

The Georgian Choir takes us to another land where secular and religious existed alongside each other. Alternating between Easter songs that would traditionally be sung in the church, and ones that would be sung going from house to house in the villages, we are given a glimpse into a culture that has developed a powerful way to use their voices to build community.

Lest we think that tonight is for listening only, next comes the first of two opportunities for audience participation. Bill leads us in a six-part Gospel call and response during which we proclaim our willingness to turn away from war, "laying our guns down by the riverside". It is my hope that the energy of our song reaches every part of the world where people still suffer, bringing the possibility of change.

I’ve mentioned all male and all female and the next performances are by the Sounds Deep Men's Choir, led by Bill and David, and by Kate's two women's groups. Hearing men on their own, I am able to really appreciate the range of the masculine voice, the strength and the tenderness that can be expressed. This group of men sing a love song from Croatia with such feeling that the two lovers in the song become visible in the mind's eye. The two women's groups do a selection of songs, including one about transitions, written by Ali Burns and titled Evening Will Come.

To round our evening off, Bill and Kate lead us in a version of Amazing Grace as sung at the Natural Voice Camps. Very simple, very upbeat and a lovely way to end. Peter bids us goodnight, and using words that also come from the prayer Smooring the Fire, asks for the blessing of The Sacred Three – to save, to shield, to surround – to be with us all.

Sunday morning

Easter morning dawns bright, the sun caressing the crocuses that dare to unfurl their delicate, yet vibrant petals despite the crisp cold temperatures we are still having here in northeast Scotland. The Hall, adorned with a Celtic cross made from branches, greenery and flowering gorse and an altar of lilies, tulips, candles and bread, is packed this morning. Barbara Swetina, Ian Turnbull, Fionntulach and friends on flute, guitar and cello lead this special Sunday Taizé.

From the nature spirits we know that at midday on Good Friday all the natural world goes into mourning until sunrise on Easter, at which time there is celebration. In the Celtic Christian tradition, the chant of 'Christ is risen from the womb of the earth' is sung from the hilltops while all manner of noise is made. At our disposal this morning are tambourines, rattles, bells and our own voices. With Fionntulach singing the chant to the east, south, west and north, we all add a drone and our chosen noisemaker. The feeling in the Hall when we stop is one of deep peace and joy.

Two opportunities to sing, dance and greet each other follow. How beautiful to have the space to be in stillness and in movement together, with ourselves and with one another. We then sit in our voice parts for several Taizé songs. One of them moves me to tears and for a moment I have to stop, eventually finding my voice again. Our community poet, Auriol de Smidt shares a poem in which the innocence, wisdom and compassion of a child caught up in the horrors of the Holocaust shines a light in the darkness. And we break and share bread together, affirming that our connection to Spirit will feed our hunger and quench our thirst.

Then a delightful surprise! Iona Leigh, herself once a child growing up here at Findhorn, enters the Hall leading a procession of parents with their young children. With them is Anna Barton, a Sacred Dance teacher within the community for many years. Young, and the young at heart, come together to each shine our little light, never hiding it under a bushel and never letting it go out. After singing together, the children go round with their baskets, offering the adults yummy chocolate Easter eggs.

Sunday afternoon

Sunday afternoon is taster sessions in the Universal Hall with four of the presenters. After yesterday’s brief introductions I’m curious to see more… or should that be hear more.

Ali Burns

She then introduces us to a new song of hers as a teaser – we will be exploring all the offerings of the presenters more deeply in their workshops during the week. Again I am amazed and delighted to be part of this brief lesson in singing coaching.

I love it! I want more. And I’m about to get it!

After a short break Frank Kane has us all back on the floor of the Hall. There is no sitting back and spectating here! He suggests we “turn down the ears” for hearing and “turn up the body” as a receptor. Traditional Georgian singing, something that Frank has been exploring for 30 years, has a lot to do with how it feels, he says. Using some simple vocal exercises of mmm and aaah he invites us to feel into various parts of our body to feel the sound moving within us. His workshops during the week will give us an opportunity to explore this more deeply as well. I sense the problem of what to choose coming up.

Fionntulach

Frank Kane

After another short break, Fionntulach invites us into the world of Gaelic spiritual chanting and song, explaining that like any traditional music, it grows out of the land and resonates in the body. She leads us in an enchanting Gaelic chant – Caim agus curach – and invites us to see what imagery it invokes before she explains what the words mean. It is a chant that has its birth in the Celtic myth of people being put to sea in a coracle and left to drift, and is medicine for when we feel adrift in life, being a statement of intent that 'I am empowered'. These sacred chants, she shares, are to connect us with our spiritual life.

Kathy Bullock

Kathy then gives us a potted history and definition of what African-American music is, which segues into us singing and adding West African rhythms. The slavery movement, which was rife between West Africa and USA, birthed a genre of music, she explains, that grew out of people's connection to the inner God. Singing is life giving and, in some circles, saying 'I don't sing' is like saying 'I'm not alive'. And so we find ourselves again swaying and singing together, deeply immersed in Walking In The Light attributed to the Georgia Mass Choir.

Tired but exhilarated, I leave the Universal Hall with Kathy's last song, Be Blessed, floating through my head. I do indeed feel blessed that I have experienced these four performers, teachers and way-showers this afternoon. For one not enthused about singing before, I think I have found my voice.