A few weeks ago, following the death of Eileen Caddy at 89, I was interviewed for "Sunday," BBC radio's major religious affairs program. Eileen was one of the founders of the Findhorn Foundation, which started in 1962 and has been the most influential holistic, green and new age spiritual community in Europe. In her last years, Eileen was awarded an MBE - a British medal of distinction - for her services to spiritual inquiry. The producers from the BBC talked to me on the phone and … [Read more...]

It's the turning of the year and I am reviewing the last 12 months and its highlights. Forgive the vulgarity, but what stands out for me is when I snogged this fantastic 3-year old horse, Jupiter. (For non-Brits, 'snog' is slang for an enthusiastic kiss.) He and I pushed noses hard against each other and exchanged breaths. If you have never done it, you would not believe how soft and silky a horse's nose can be. And the smell - if you like animals - is wonderful. Why was this so great for me? … [Read more...]

In my home, the first person to get up lights a candle in the kitchen. Usually it is a four-hour nightlight that sits on a little shelf next to where there are pictures of our loved ones. In a way, it is an altar. It is one of the many places in our home where we have pictures and objects of the people, animals and places that we love. Across all cultures and periods of history, most homes - from stone castle to straw hut - have had altar spaces holding important objects and images. This is … [Read more...]

Seven years ago, after spending the night sitting at my mother's bedside, I left the hospital at 6 a.m. to catch a train, knowing that my sister would shortly come to take my place. In those few minutes of her being alone, my mum died. There are many stories like this, of devoted families caring for a loved one and then the actual death happening when no one is there. It seems that many people want to be alone when they start their new journey.Once I was in a house in a remote part of Ireland … [Read more...]