Three dimensions of the Great Turning
A Personal Journey through Social Activism, Ecovillage Living, and Buddhism.
By Margo van Greta
7 July 2024
I met Joanna Macy in the Findhorn Community in Scotland, a spiritual community and Ecovillage. I moved there in 1990 from my native country, the Netherlands. I started learning about her work and became interested after reading her book "Personal Power in a Nuclear Age". I had the privilege to meet her at a weeklong event on The Work That Reconnects in 2000 and was impressed by her unique facilitation style. Since then, I've had the amazing opportunity to lead the powerful Work That Reconnects (WTR) workshops, both in-person and online, and it's been truly wonderful connecting with people through this experience. Now, I want to explore three dimensions of the Great Turning and how I experience them.
7 July 2024
I met Joanna Macy in the Findhorn Community in Scotland, a spiritual community and Ecovillage. I moved there in 1990 from my native country, the Netherlands. I started learning about her work and became interested after reading her book "Personal Power in a Nuclear Age". I had the privilege to meet her at a weeklong event on The Work That Reconnects in 2000 and was impressed by her unique facilitation style. Since then, I've had the amazing opportunity to lead the powerful Work That Reconnects (WTR) workshops, both in-person and online, and it's been truly wonderful connecting with people through this experience. Now, I want to explore three dimensions of the Great Turning and how I experience them.
1. Social Activism
In my early adulthood, I was driven by a strong desire to make a positive impact on the world. I aspired to pursue a career in medicine and help underprivileged children in Africa, a dream that was sparked by my awareness of the famine in Biafra when I was just a young child. However, upon moving to Amsterdam to pursue my studies, I encountered challenges in finding affordable housing due to a shortage of accommodation. This led me to become involved in the squatters movement, where I actively participated in efforts to occupy empty buildings and raise awareness about housing issues. Through my involvement in the squatters movement, I not only found a sense of community but also discovered a newfound passion for social activism. I engaged in various activities, such as supporting individuals facing eviction and participating in demonstrations and direct action to advocate for housing rights. Despite facing challenges and experiencing moments of adversity, such as encounters with the police, I also encountered remarkable acts of kindness and solidarity from the local community. My experience with the squatter's movement opened my eyes to the interconnectedness of various social movements, such as the anti-nuclear movement, anti-military movements, and the women's movement. This period of my life was marked by a quest to understand the kind of world I wanted to contribute to and the type of life I wanted to create for myself.
In my early adulthood, I was driven by a strong desire to make a positive impact on the world. I aspired to pursue a career in medicine and help underprivileged children in Africa, a dream that was sparked by my awareness of the famine in Biafra when I was just a young child. However, upon moving to Amsterdam to pursue my studies, I encountered challenges in finding affordable housing due to a shortage of accommodation. This led me to become involved in the squatters movement, where I actively participated in efforts to occupy empty buildings and raise awareness about housing issues. Through my involvement in the squatters movement, I not only found a sense of community but also discovered a newfound passion for social activism. I engaged in various activities, such as supporting individuals facing eviction and participating in demonstrations and direct action to advocate for housing rights. Despite facing challenges and experiencing moments of adversity, such as encounters with the police, I also encountered remarkable acts of kindness and solidarity from the local community. My experience with the squatter's movement opened my eyes to the interconnectedness of various social movements, such as the anti-nuclear movement, anti-military movements, and the women's movement. This period of my life was marked by a quest to understand the kind of world I wanted to contribute to and the type of life I wanted to create for myself.
2. Ecovillage Findhorn
The Findhorn Community, established in 1962 as a spiritual community, has evolved over the past thirty years into an Eco-village. Emphasising the importance of inner wisdom and its application in daily life, Findhorn Ecovillage serves as a hub for experimenting with and implementing low-carbon initiatives, enabling sustainable living practices. The community includes a wide range of initiatives, like eco houses with triple glazing, excellent insulation, and passive solar heating, as well as solar panels, air source heat pumps, and straw bale houses. Additionally, it includes a wind park, organic farms and gardens, community shops, the Phoenix Cafe, a Living Machine for water treatment, Trees for Life conservation efforts, Moray Carshare, and The Boutique, a space dedicated to sharing surplus items free of charge.
"Moreover, it offers space for creative expression, inner development, and meaningful change for everyone who chooses to experience it."
The Findhorn Community, established in 1962 as a spiritual community, has evolved over the past thirty years into an Eco-village. Emphasising the importance of inner wisdom and its application in daily life, Findhorn Ecovillage serves as a hub for experimenting with and implementing low-carbon initiatives, enabling sustainable living practices. The community includes a wide range of initiatives, like eco houses with triple glazing, excellent insulation, and passive solar heating, as well as solar panels, air source heat pumps, and straw bale houses. Additionally, it includes a wind park, organic farms and gardens, community shops, the Phoenix Cafe, a Living Machine for water treatment, Trees for Life conservation efforts, Moray Carshare, and The Boutique, a space dedicated to sharing surplus items free of charge.
"Moreover, it offers space for creative expression, inner development, and meaningful change for everyone who chooses to experience it."
3. Buddhism
The absence of religion during my upbringing led me to seek inner transformation and heightened awareness in my late twenties. My exploration of spirituality eventually led me to Tibetan Buddhism, which has become a source of inspiration and daily practice since 1986. I found that the meditations in The Work That Reconnects draw from traditional Buddhist practices, yet are accessible to all. I connect with the WTR reflections and their deep spiritual roots. It feels like home to me! One aspect I appreciate about the WTR meditations is their encouragement to engage with others directly, such as making eye contact and acknowledging their presence. This contrasts with the traditional Buddhist practice of closing our eyes and praying for the well-being of all beings. I find it incredibly powerful to contemplate the happiness, open-heartedness, despair, compassion, courage, and wisdom of the person opposite me.
Engaging in spiritual practices has helped me navigate life's challenges, enabling me to shift my perspective and turn obstacles into opportunities. This journey has brought me to view life as a continual learning process, akin to a mystery school that presents daily lessons for our personal growth.
Conclusion
Reflecting on my journey through social activism, life in the Findhorn Ecovillage, and the practice of Buddhism, I am reminded of the profound impact each dimension has had on my life. The lessons learned from engaging in social activism, embracing sustainable living practices, and delving into spiritual exploration have enriched my understanding of interconnectedness, compassion, and personal growth. These experiences have not only shaped my worldview but have also inspired me to contribute positively to the world around me. They strongly influence me as I facilitate the Work That Reconnects and other contributions to the Great Turning. As I continue to walk this path, I am committed to upholding the values of social justice, environmental stewardship, and inner transformation, striving to create a more harmonious and sustainable world for present and future generations.
The absence of religion during my upbringing led me to seek inner transformation and heightened awareness in my late twenties. My exploration of spirituality eventually led me to Tibetan Buddhism, which has become a source of inspiration and daily practice since 1986. I found that the meditations in The Work That Reconnects draw from traditional Buddhist practices, yet are accessible to all. I connect with the WTR reflections and their deep spiritual roots. It feels like home to me! One aspect I appreciate about the WTR meditations is their encouragement to engage with others directly, such as making eye contact and acknowledging their presence. This contrasts with the traditional Buddhist practice of closing our eyes and praying for the well-being of all beings. I find it incredibly powerful to contemplate the happiness, open-heartedness, despair, compassion, courage, and wisdom of the person opposite me.
Engaging in spiritual practices has helped me navigate life's challenges, enabling me to shift my perspective and turn obstacles into opportunities. This journey has brought me to view life as a continual learning process, akin to a mystery school that presents daily lessons for our personal growth.
Conclusion
Reflecting on my journey through social activism, life in the Findhorn Ecovillage, and the practice of Buddhism, I am reminded of the profound impact each dimension has had on my life. The lessons learned from engaging in social activism, embracing sustainable living practices, and delving into spiritual exploration have enriched my understanding of interconnectedness, compassion, and personal growth. These experiences have not only shaped my worldview but have also inspired me to contribute positively to the world around me. They strongly influence me as I facilitate the Work That Reconnects and other contributions to the Great Turning. As I continue to walk this path, I am committed to upholding the values of social justice, environmental stewardship, and inner transformation, striving to create a more harmonious and sustainable world for present and future generations.
Margo van Greta leads workshops on The Work That Reconnects and provides training for those interested in becoming Work That Reconnects facilitators. Originally from the Netherlands, she resides in a cosy eco-friendly home located in Ecovillage Findhorn, Scotland and is also the founder of Heartbeat Findhorn, an initiative focused on inner personal development for outward societal impact. She is a pioneer of holistic spirituality, involved with Tibetan Buddhism, yet open to the essential truth behind all spiritual traditions.
She enjoys connecting with nature through her daily walks to Findhorn Dunes and Beach.
You can find more details at https://www.heartbeatfindhorn.com.
She enjoys connecting with nature through her daily walks to Findhorn Dunes and Beach.
You can find more details at https://www.heartbeatfindhorn.com.
