Before I explain how I came to Cluny I need to own up to something.  As a farmer with a degree in conventional agriculture, the stories of giant cabbages and nature spirits kept me away from Findhorn for over 20 years.  I had read Paul Hawken’s book The Magic of Findhorn and that made a big impression, but the biographical bits about Peter and Eileen’s lives were what I found most fascinating.  In a powerful way I felt myself living vicariously through their exciting adventures and spiritual enquiry.  I had been trying to make religious Christianity work in my life for decades but it was obvious to me that large chunks of spiritual knowledge and experience were missing.  The thrill of New Testament miracles, guidance, healing and growth were somehow 2000 years old.  Yet here were two or three  people making it work.  


        In many ways it is their pre-1962 story that I love the most; the spiritual training, the dark nights of the soul, the synchronicities, their coming to Cluny in 1957 when I was still at prep school,  and then all the lessons, magic and preparation for our community that happened at Cluny   -   I couldn’t put the book down.


        And then my story and theirs met.  Experience week June 1999.  I didn’t know then that Cluny had been reclaimed.  I drove through Forres and up the hill to find this big old hotel.  It wasn’t until the Sunday that the penny dropped.  I felt a surge of excitement as I realised that books are not just fiction.  This was the place where all that had actually happened. It made their powerful story of total faith in a loving God even more poignant, and possible in my life.  The reality of what I had read in a book and been excited by came alive for me.  That is why I love Cluny and its energy of love and transformation and the awareness that this place gives me that here all things are possible.


        So what is it like a quarter of a century later to live in this beautiful place?  The trouble with all the myth, and history is that its past tense.  And tense it can be with a full house and lots of psychologically aware and less aware people all doing stuff.  They say that if you have got your shit together you may be standing in it, but underneath all the normal problems of community life, I feel that energy of love and transformation is still powerfully active. Eileen’s and Dorothy’s current messages of encouragement are as valid for me as they ever were. I appreciate the repetition and  simplicity which help me to find new insights and to change 50 year old perceptions - and I don’t know where else that could happen.  My beliefs are being constantly challenged and enlarged, made more eclectic.  I love finding common ground and inclusivity.  Different belief systems no longer threaten so much as compliment the holes in mine.


        When I decided to live here I imagined my contribution would be primarily through  training and experience in farming.  I wanted to work at Cullerne and for over a year enjoyed being part of that inspiring place and garden team.  It was a painful experience to move from there. Eventually I landed up in the Transport Department.  Looking back I marvel at the patience and wisdom of spirit in spite of my best efforts to resist change.  I love my job in the background helping the work of the Foundation and keeping the buses roadworthy and fully used.  My role helping to co-ordinate all our volunteer drivers is a constant reminder of how our beautiful community works and of the synchronicities beneath the surface.  The right person always seems to show up even when it is a busy time.  Driving groups to Iona and Erraid on the west coast is a scenic treat.  


        There are many other aspects of living here which I love - Taizé singing, conferences, discovery games, events in our Universal Hall to name but a few.  It is exciting, inspiring and a great privilege to be here now. I’m grateful to all who have made this possible.


Richard