The Island and I
August 15, 2010The Island and I
by Joe Haydon, August 2010
Everyone comes to Holy Isle for a reason. I came for the first time last year to find the space I needed to confront the turmoil in my life. I stayed for a week. I worked half days and slept in a dorm to knock the price down a little – I was not a rich man. In fact – at twenty one I was barely a man. Holy Isle almost immediately felt like home. I worked in the beautiful gardens, I swept and mopped floors, and I worked in the kitchen with Rob – one of the outstanding cooks and a fellow Geordie. In the afternoons I spent my time soaking up the island’s breath-taking scenery and plundering the library’s books. All this was very rewarding and I found the peace and space that I was after. I left to confront the issues I had waiting for me, vowing to return.
I now find myself sitting in the Holy Island Peace Hall looking back over this year’s visit. On my arrival a week and a half ago I felt like I was returning home. I am here not to work this time but to take part in a course. That course is Qigong, and Meditation led by Sue Weston, learning the Wild Goose Qigong form, of which there are 64 moves. It was soon clear that with Qigong – which runs far deeper into the practitioner’s inner being than I had ever imagined – and the guided meditations, coupled with the island’s palpable natural and spiritual power, this was going to be an incredible week.
Practising out in front of the Centre
For the first few days I and many others found the Wild Goose form difficult. There is a lot to think about, after all. Throughout all of this I must highlight Sue’s gentle guidance and expert teaching. At no point did anyone feel excluded. All questions, however abstract or personal, were welcome and answered very clearly. Soon things began to slot into place. I began to feel the gentle nature of the form come alive and tried to help those who were having difficulty, something which I found immensely rewarding. The course ended with a demonstration for the volunteers led by Sue and – to my surprise – me. It went wonderfully well. This was followed by a ceilidh which was a riot and hugely enjoyable.
The next morning a slight air of sadness hung over breakfast. Bags were packed and at noon the boat arrived to take the first group from the island. Tears were shed all round at the parting of what we now hold to be lifelong friends.
Staying on the island as a volunteer for a few more days I had to bid all but Sue and two others a safe journey. The people I watched leaving the island were not the people who arrived the week previously. They leave walking taller, smiling broader, and above all wiser and happier than the people they were. Bringing the inherent lightness of spirit that Holy Isle instils to the wider world.
After my three extra days of Holy Isle, I think of my imminent departure tomorrow. Like the others I leave a different person: taller, happier and wiser than before. But again, I leave a place that I have grown close to very quickly. I will leave a place that feels like home, vowing to return.
