Five Steps to Cultivating Resilience
Resilience in the Findhorn Community, Scotland
For almost 30 years the Findhorn Eco-village/Spiritual Community has been my home. Its creation and organic development is an excellent example of resilience. From its humble origins of a caravan near a rubbish dumb, with three adults who just lost their job, to a thriving international centre of hope and inspiration almost 60 years later, it is a very inspiring place to be. Based on inner listening, and following up any inner messages into practical action, it demonstrates what we humans are capable of. It expands the realm of possibilities.
The founders had absolutely no desire to start a community, or an eco village, let alone one that would be famous all over the world. They simply listened to their inner guidance and acted on it. Soon they focussed on creating a garden created on sand, with hard work, compost, to supplement their food supply. Then they started communication with the nature spirits and devas, and the plants responded, and abundant and miraculous gardens were created. If giving loving attention to plants had spectacular results, how about giving that loving attention to people? The small group turned into a Community, which later transformed into a spiritual Eco-village, with several organisations, groups and ethical businesses.
Is it easy to live here? No, not really. Is it a perfect place? Definitely not. We currently have our challenges dealing with mass redundancy, and rebuilding the Community Centre and Sanctuary we both lost through a fire, just to name a few.
Yet it is responding to the ongoing challenges, and move forward step by step. It certainly is an example of resilience through a combination of inner work, cooperation with nature and with fellow human beings, and inspired action.
This is not an invitation to just pack your bags and come to live here! This is an invitation to consider how and where you cultivate resilience in your life.
Five Steps to Cultivate Resilience.
1. “The most radical thing any of us can do is to be fully present to what is happening in the world” Joanna Macy.
How do we do this: being fully present. When we are continuously tempted with endless distractions. In order to be present with our world, we need to be able to be present with ourselves. We need to be able to simply sit on our seat, feeling your sit bones on the seat, our feet probably on the floor. Noticing our breathing. Hearing the sounds of the seagulls outside, or maybe the traffic in the street. Being present in the here and now… So that when we engage with the world, read the newspaper, and interact with our family, or respond to the climate crisis, we can be fully present too. We can respond to each situation from a place of wholeness, from our heart, from a place of love, wisdom and caring.
2. “If you think you are too small to make a difference, try sleeping with a mosquito.” Dalai Lama
No action is too small. I find that a lot depends on where you put you attention. There are plenty of ways to notice our changes and progress. You choose. Maybe you like writing a journal, or having a chat with a friend, creating a mind-map, or any other method where you check in with yourself.
3. "We may encounter many defeats, but must not be defeated." Maya Angelou.
Life will bring its challenges as well as times of grace and joy. Part of our learning journey is finding ways through. We will come out stronger, wiser, and with the capacity to benefit others.
4. “Do you want to do something to help the world-situation? Then look within. As you change your consciousness to love, peace, harmony and unity, the consciousness of the whole world will change.” Eileen Caddy
I deeply resonate with this wisdom, and actually have organised a conference on this theme about ten years ago: Inspired Action. The conference itself was prompted by a strong intuition that did not want to go away, even when I argued with it! The event had a multi levelled effect, on me as organiser, on the presenters and participants, on the Community it took part in, and on the world. It had a ripple effect.
It connects our inner transformation with the challenges in the world, and for me that gives me a strong sense of purpose, interconnectedness and peace. Our world needs our care, attention, and skilful action. Whether we focus on the climate emergency, injustice, racism, patriarchy, poverty, war, refugees; the list is endless. Linking our inner work to benefitting our world is essential, as the wider world certainly needs resilience as well. Our intention to include the wellbeing of life on our planet in our inner work makes a huge difference.
5. “Every journey starts with a single step.” Lao Tzu.
This is just so true! This step can be large or small. That does not matter. The step can be profoundly enjoyable, or really challenging, who knows? You listen within, make your list of options, you choose, and go! Then you can reflect on how this went, and take the next step.
These are some of my thoughts and experiences. May they be of benefit to you, and to the world.
If this resonates with you, you may consider joining my course on Cultivating Resilience, where you will focus on Inner Work that is the basis for Outer Action, in a supportive group setting of people just like you!
Margo van Greta
Margo van Greta is a pioneer of holistic spirituality, bringing integrated spirituality into our daily life. She enjoys facilitating transformation, and created Heartbeat Findhorn, Inner Work for Outer Action, courses and programs. She is living in Eco village Findhorn for over 30 years. Most programs are online.
For almost 30 years the Findhorn Eco-village/Spiritual Community has been my home. Its creation and organic development is an excellent example of resilience. From its humble origins of a caravan near a rubbish dumb, with three adults who just lost their job, to a thriving international centre of hope and inspiration almost 60 years later, it is a very inspiring place to be. Based on inner listening, and following up any inner messages into practical action, it demonstrates what we humans are capable of. It expands the realm of possibilities.
The founders had absolutely no desire to start a community, or an eco village, let alone one that would be famous all over the world. They simply listened to their inner guidance and acted on it. Soon they focussed on creating a garden created on sand, with hard work, compost, to supplement their food supply. Then they started communication with the nature spirits and devas, and the plants responded, and abundant and miraculous gardens were created. If giving loving attention to plants had spectacular results, how about giving that loving attention to people? The small group turned into a Community, which later transformed into a spiritual Eco-village, with several organisations, groups and ethical businesses.
Is it easy to live here? No, not really. Is it a perfect place? Definitely not. We currently have our challenges dealing with mass redundancy, and rebuilding the Community Centre and Sanctuary we both lost through a fire, just to name a few.
Yet it is responding to the ongoing challenges, and move forward step by step. It certainly is an example of resilience through a combination of inner work, cooperation with nature and with fellow human beings, and inspired action.
This is not an invitation to just pack your bags and come to live here! This is an invitation to consider how and where you cultivate resilience in your life.
Five Steps to Cultivate Resilience.
1. “The most radical thing any of us can do is to be fully present to what is happening in the world” Joanna Macy.
How do we do this: being fully present. When we are continuously tempted with endless distractions. In order to be present with our world, we need to be able to be present with ourselves. We need to be able to simply sit on our seat, feeling your sit bones on the seat, our feet probably on the floor. Noticing our breathing. Hearing the sounds of the seagulls outside, or maybe the traffic in the street. Being present in the here and now… So that when we engage with the world, read the newspaper, and interact with our family, or respond to the climate crisis, we can be fully present too. We can respond to each situation from a place of wholeness, from our heart, from a place of love, wisdom and caring.
2. “If you think you are too small to make a difference, try sleeping with a mosquito.” Dalai Lama
No action is too small. I find that a lot depends on where you put you attention. There are plenty of ways to notice our changes and progress. You choose. Maybe you like writing a journal, or having a chat with a friend, creating a mind-map, or any other method where you check in with yourself.
3. "We may encounter many defeats, but must not be defeated." Maya Angelou.
Life will bring its challenges as well as times of grace and joy. Part of our learning journey is finding ways through. We will come out stronger, wiser, and with the capacity to benefit others.
4. “Do you want to do something to help the world-situation? Then look within. As you change your consciousness to love, peace, harmony and unity, the consciousness of the whole world will change.” Eileen Caddy
I deeply resonate with this wisdom, and actually have organised a conference on this theme about ten years ago: Inspired Action. The conference itself was prompted by a strong intuition that did not want to go away, even when I argued with it! The event had a multi levelled effect, on me as organiser, on the presenters and participants, on the Community it took part in, and on the world. It had a ripple effect.
It connects our inner transformation with the challenges in the world, and for me that gives me a strong sense of purpose, interconnectedness and peace. Our world needs our care, attention, and skilful action. Whether we focus on the climate emergency, injustice, racism, patriarchy, poverty, war, refugees; the list is endless. Linking our inner work to benefitting our world is essential, as the wider world certainly needs resilience as well. Our intention to include the wellbeing of life on our planet in our inner work makes a huge difference.
5. “Every journey starts with a single step.” Lao Tzu.
This is just so true! This step can be large or small. That does not matter. The step can be profoundly enjoyable, or really challenging, who knows? You listen within, make your list of options, you choose, and go! Then you can reflect on how this went, and take the next step.
These are some of my thoughts and experiences. May they be of benefit to you, and to the world.
If this resonates with you, you may consider joining my course on Cultivating Resilience, where you will focus on Inner Work that is the basis for Outer Action, in a supportive group setting of people just like you!
Margo van Greta
Margo van Greta is a pioneer of holistic spirituality, bringing integrated spirituality into our daily life. She enjoys facilitating transformation, and created Heartbeat Findhorn, Inner Work for Outer Action, courses and programs. She is living in Eco village Findhorn for over 30 years. Most programs are online.
