The Transformation Game Facilitators training.

How it was? Two weeks in Findhorn Fundation and more than 100 tuition hours. With people from all around the world-France, Montenegro, Singapore, New Zealand, Holland, Germany, USA, UK, Hungary and, yes, also from Latvia. Our Singapore colleague DJ developed video.

Bumblebee paradox

Written by: Inta Santa

It is possible, that it is answer on all kind of "Why?" of questions

For me summer, 2013 starts a really early- I met it in Findhorn Foundation, Scotland based eco-community, where I learned in a Transformation Game Facilitator Training program. 

For 2 weeks I was within an environment, where:

• prevails cooperation instead of competition  ;
• prevails openness instead of closeness;
• prevails responsibility instead of avoidance; 
• prevails acceptance  instead of judgement.

If you believe in the fundamental principles of traditional business (A.Smith theory of the invisible hand that regulates the market), then must to understand, that this eco-community should have already be washed out from the world map, as it absolutely not compete, not effectivize or non-globalize its offer, as we usually see in classical market conditions. It just exist and continues to be for more than 50 years. Just like the bumble-bee (1), which flies despite of the fact that someone with scientific approved methodology approves that she is unable to fly. People with an interest visit the Findhorn Foundation Park due to see the eco-village life in action (14,000 visitors annually), those who minds address these ideas have the opportunity to learn in different types of programs at Findhorn clunny College (every year, more than 3,000 graduates of the trainings), but those to whom that philosophy spoke up to depths of their hearts, those becomes a community for residency (currently 400 residents).

For me traveling to this commune happens, because, I decided to took the opportunity to acquire an in-depth training for Facilitators of Transformation Game workshops, which is one of the Findhorn Clunny College basic programs. This game is created within the Findhorn and reflects there prevailing philosophy: the developers of the game Joy Drake and Kathy Tyler use to say that participating in this game workshop is likely to experience the spirit of Findhorn Foundation.

I met Transformation Game, when my college Aija Berjoza invites me to play...one interesting game. Many thanks, Aija, for that! For me it took only a few minutes to realize that it's all about my life. Keywords flashes out really beautiful. There were necessary to have a very deep look into myself, looking out where exactly resonates in me setback  cards. Also depression swamps found their place. But most pleasant feeling was- to be aware that Angels are present ... And it seems, this was the the first board game in my life, which I have played, without attempting any defeat or victory. Rather opposite- I occasionally got the gifts and blessings from the rest of the players! The only person with whom I was really fighting- was myself. I competed with my old "ME", who step-by-step looks for the way to my new "ME". Really transformative game!

Probably, there is right place to answer the question: how all this can be connected with coaching? And also it is right place to note out that each player has their own goal of the game. That's it! Like it happens within coaching session, at the beginning of each game there is devoted enough time to clarify the player's goal. Only in this case is to specify all goals of all players ... even more- in this game each player has two goals: one, the target- which player wants to get or reach on, and the other one - what player wants to give or share with. And the whole game-time there happens a deep work with both of these goals. And also like it happens within the coaching session- here the player gets a possibility to expand a consciousness, only in this case- in such action participates all the game elements: playing cards, other players, facilitator and the interaction between the players well. It is like a powerful whole day (5h-10h) coaching session. In fact, this game perfectly captures life- it mirrors daily life and within this game it is possible to change beliefs, destructive activities, enjoy sharing, collaboration, giving and taking. Just like in famous quotation of Latvian poet Rainis: "It is not possible to lose that, what you get by giving" so also this experience allows to see the world in a different light.  In such kind of everyday life as it sees Findhorn Foundation residents (2) who do not seem to care about "Bumble paradox", but continues to exist despite of classical theories.

Perhaps it is also the way for one of you- forget that there are "laws, which proves that it can not be" and be as you always want to be, reveal your true nature, which are often hidden behind the public "must have" things and live a much more consistent with yourselves, others and the environment! It is never too late to prove that the bumblebee can fly (1) ... and that we are able to not only imagine, but also to do! I encourage to use all the opportunities that life presents to us, here and now!

Till the next time!

(1) Recent studies (published on January,2007) shows, however, that the bumblebee can fly. Due to security reasons I wrote the date, because up to now there always has been someone who has been able to prove otherwise! More info here >>

2) Did you know that also here, in Latvian are the people who are not aware of the "bumble bee paradox"? For example, an open-air festival of master classes "Give & Get" organizers certainly are such people! They already several years keep organize the event, which is open to anyone interested who is willing to give and to get, to be a volunteer festival organizer, workshop manager, music player, chief, workshop visitor, listener or simple eater. More info here >>

Findhorn Foundation. How it starts?

Written by: Inta Santa

It was a long waiting time... and then it happens! At the end of May 2013 I go to my journey- which at the same time was a very important training- The Transformation Game Facilitator training program.  I chose the place for training bearing in mind, that Transformation Game origin birth place is Findhorn Foundation in Scotland. I had a hunch, that the training will take place in a great environment. And I did not became disappointed! I experienced all this and even more! Besides all other things I had a chance to get to know the history  and nowadays of this Eco-community. Let`s begin with a little insight.

Possibly it is most important sign for everyone`s life road! Findhorn Foundation "The Park".

How all it starts?

Once upon a time there lived Caddy family in the small town of Scotland, called Forres.   The wife took care of the house and the children (they had 3 sons), but husband Peter went to work, providing a livelihood for the family. It is possible that everything would have been different, if not a hotel chain reconstruction, which led to the liquidation of Forres Cluny hotel- place where Peter worked as a manager. And so Peter Caddy stays without a job ... and his family without means of subsistence. They had to leave the place of residence and to move to a mobile caravan.
 
But, but, but from there story starts become non-rational and perhaps for "normal" folks non-acceptability because ....

..Peter`s wife Eileen has got "small voice" in her`s head or in other words she heard voices. Eileen Caddy though that it is the voice of God, the other maybe called it as  the highest ME or voice of collective unconsciusness. However, but this little voice spoke and Eileen heard it. And this little voice told her that they must to move from Forres to Findhorn fisherman`s village, situated much more close to the North Sea, near the Gulf of Findhorn river, and there they must to develop a vegetable garden. Peter  Caddy was very purposeful man, and when he start to do something, then it do completely. For luck of Findhorn commune, Peter took into account the messages of the voice, which heard his wife. Caddy family moved caravan closer to the sea and together with the close friend Dorothy start to develop a vegetable garden. The garden was the Eileen  thing and as real surprise for everyone, there grow up a really marvelous vegetable within sandy seaside land. Small voice in wife's head, has got a new message and now it called to prepare a place for other people who will arrive soon ... And although there was no indication that there are any ready to move towards the Findhorn, Peter starts to prepare the place for other interesents. And people began to arrive from both nearby and distant places. And it turns out, that the small voice had spoken also  to them. So, that is the way, how began the story of the Findhorn commune.

The caravan and garden from all it starts. 

How much truth is there, how much imagination, it is hard to say, because serious face of my tour guide did not give an idea where one ends and the other begins. But does it is the most important thing- to now it? The main thing is- that this community has already celebrated its 50th anniversary, and it looks like the range of the population is increasing (currently around 400 residents). And not only  the commune population range increases, increasing also range of like-minded people who are outside the borders of the commune. The huge amount of peoples in nearby municipality are engaged in healing, gardening and craft practices. Their small town house roofs are installed with solar panels, but miniature gardens in front of the homes not only to green grass, but also for miniature greenhouses with different herbs. Ecological thinking is dangerously virusal!

The night before trainingm, I spent in such company. It was in local physiotherapist studio.

More about the commune experience you could find here or read in a book below.