Introduction by Rowan Duczek and Rowan D
This is a series of articles giving a personal take on the Common Ground.
The famous medieval mystic Hildegard von Bingen is supposed to have blessed people with the following words: ‘May you stay wet, green and juicy’, hence the title of this article.
Jamie and Rowan are both NFA Councillors now in their 2nd year of Council. Rowan was initially inspired by re-reading the Common Ground to stand for Council. It is a document that every NFA member receives on joining and it is given to guests of the Foundation in their Welcome Pack, and of course to Foundation members who join the NFA as individuals. So, this document is certainly in circulation, but we were wondering how it actually resonates in the hearts and minds of those who live here on the Park or further afield and who feel part of this community.
The Common Ground is a living document, not set in stone like some kind of prescriptive dogma, or meant as a means to accuse or to blame our neighbour. For us, it is rather a tool for self-reflection and introspection, something one can come back to every so often to ponder; ‘How am I living this?’
The Common Ground evolved first with the establishment of the NFA some 15 years ago and since then has gone through various incarnations. Most recently there was a convergence of individual versions of the Common Ground and in its’ present form it is a collaboration between both the Findhorn Foundation as an educational charity and the NFA as a members’ organisation.
Over the coming year, Jamie and I will meet regularly to reflect and share what the Guidelines in the Common Ground mean for us in our daily lives, beginning with:
- SPIRITUAL PRACTICE. In the next two weeks we will write a short article for the Rainbow Bridge on our insights, reflections and insights, and asking some questions that we have found helpful to ask ourselves.
We invite you to do likewise, to reflect, converse and ponder what a commitment to Spiritual Practice means for you and what form it takes. And if you wish you can contact us for conversation or even write something yourself, if you feel drawn to do that. This is an experiment to explore what we have signed up for when joining the NFA and to deepen our understanding.
As a passionate gardener I know that when watering the ground all kinds of new and interesting seedlings will appear.
Wishing you deep thoughts, a light heart and a sparkling sense of humor and we hope that you will join us in our exploration.
PS If you need a paper copy of the Common Ground they are available
from the General Office.
Rowan Duczek 07925 182 887
Jamie Bryson 07553 175 291
