The City of Light

As you probably know I came back to Scotland in October, following guidance to do so.

I am now the volunteer Manager of a small spiritual community www.shenfoundation.net that is based on Daoist principles and the promotion of links between East and West (China). Work exchange for free board and lodging.

In some ways Shen is (just?) another mystery school, but with its own language and Qi Gong practices.  When I asked in Damanhur about the difference between Qi and Prana I did not get a satisfactory answer. They seem to be similar (or different) levels of the Etheric body which forms the aura and supports the physical form. DH people can seem a little parochial at times?

As for community living, staying here is so just like being back in Aria Nucleo in Damanhur with six of us. Except missing my friends in Italy whilst making new friends in Scotland and seeing old friends here, oh dear!

And now I am here I need to be present to do my work here.

I don't yet have a date for the hernia operation which I have requested, after which I cannot fly for a month or more. And I have run out of money. So my original idea of going to Damanhur for the healing intensive week in February looks doubtful.

I have started work on websites again, see http://www.forreschinesenewyear.co.uk/, and I could do website work here for clients / friends in Damanhur remotely?

Also missing the Damanhur School of Meditation, which of course I had to step out of when I left, unless they launch an International version. But then perhaps that would just dilute the Daoist path?

At times I struggle keeping my energy up, and would like a boost from Falco's prana machine.

We had 20 round the table, not all could fit!

Still at the Shen Foundation in Forres as Manager, after six months back from Damanhur.
I can hold the house and garden, but am struggling with the purpose of some of the bigger projects I am responsible for. But then again Project Management is all about internal,self development?

There seems to be pressure on me to go deeper (in meditation) so as to contact Cosmic Centre and download the big picture (Chinese) plan, which I only get glimpses of.

I find myself drawn more back to the Findhorn Foundation, although without a clearly defined role or purpose.

I have finally had a successful operation to repair the hernia I developed in May 2011 working in the woods at Damanhur. This was after canceling my initial operation date in February. Quite a journey in terms of not wanting to undergo an operation versus not wanting to live with the pain and discomfort.

We have just heard that we have been granted planning permission for our Polytunnel Greenhouse here at the Shen Foundation. This was ordered in January but placed on hold whilst we applied for planning permission, with seemingly endless delays.

The greenhouse will be commercial quality, 16 ft x 42 foot. Delivery will be 7 days or so, which should be in time for Ronald to see it constructed, with the help of volunteers, before he leaves.

It will form a central role in our sustainability / self sufficiency project.

It has been funded by our friends in Switzerland, plus smaller donations from Charity and Gabrielle.

In addition to the greenhouse we have received separate donations to purchase ten fruit trees which have been planted out. We are now investigating how best to keep the deer away from the fruit trees (to the South of the building) and a separate vegetable patch (by the North boundary).

PS
I have been reading the book The Magic by Rhonda Byrne, which is all about the power of gratitude. And on Monday I got to the chapter about saying "Thank you for the great news that is coming today" before it happens. So the Planning permission was granted on Tuesday and received Wednesday (today).

As Bisong says, it is not about the projects but training the project managers.