The Healing Path

by Colm Maguire In Reflections

1.   WHAT IS THE HEALING PATH?

  • The Healing Path is a charity association
  • The Healing Path is a recovery community.
  • The Healing Path is a school of permaculture. 
  • The Healing Path is food production business
  • The Healing Path is a retreat centre
  • The Healing Path is an ecological centre of excellence.
  • The Healing Path is a registered association / charity.
  • The Healing Path is a social enterprise.
  • The Healing Path is a development hub.

2.   WHAT DOES THE HEALING PATH LOOK LIKE TODAY AND WHAT WILL IT LOOK LIKE IN THE FUTURE.?

Today the Healing Path is a home to Collie. He is a father of two children one studying in his mid-twenties and the other a teenager.

The Home is at an address in Firmi / Cambrens France and is an L shaped building of 115m2 with 4 bedrooms a shower a W.C. a kitchen and a living room. It has 4 cellars, a garage, a chicken coup a car port and a hanger of 100m2 .

It is on just under 6000m2 of land that has planning permission.

Collie is in the process of buying the property.

In the future we will have a womens house and a mens house. We will copy the style of living of the community in San Patrignano where relationships are engaged in with only the approval of the community. Those in recovery need to focus on their recovery, not their neediness nor their people pleasing.

Life is the community is governed by a strict no drugs no alcohol no vaping no smoking of any kind, no consumption of mind or mood alternating substances with the exception of Tea Coffee and Sugar. Sugar consumption will have to be strictly monitored. Anyone under the influence of any substance will not be admitted

Life is the community is governed by a strict no violence philosophy. Violence will not be tolerated under any circumstances.

We don’t kill animals for any purpose other than on strict advice of qualified veterinarian experts, to end the suffering of such an animal.

Life is governed by a strict rigid daily timetable. As the community grows this timetable may evolve and adapt.

The morning is absolutely quiet time, not low talking, not whispering, not going outside for a conversation. Its strict quiet.

The first task of every day is ablutions and toilet.

This is when we shower, shit pee wash our teeth and put on appropriate clothing for the day ahead.

The second task of every day is prayer and meditation time in community

This is our time of gratitude for the gift of the day ahead. Practicing mindfulness, meditation and doing so quietly together in community in the designated spiritual space for all. We don’t chatter, we don’t arrive late.

The third task of every day is acknowledgement of the community and daily tasks ahead of the community.

In other words we greet each other warmly and in civility. We drink our tea or coffee and share our tasks for day ahead asking for assistance where we think we might need it.

The fourth task of every day is morning exercises.

The fifth task of every day is Study.

There are many things to learn about plants, people, food production, preparation, recovery, languages,

This is a teaching/study part of the day, books, practicals etc happen in the morning before lunch

The sixth task of every day is lunch time

The seventh task of every day is quiet reflection

This is seen as an opportunity to read a book, be alone with nature, interact with animals ( not humans) and just take stock of the day. It can be used to transition from the intellectual part of the day to the more physical. This task is recommended 30 mins.

The 8th task of every day is physical work

Chop wood carry water.

The ninth task of every day is community check in

This is when we come together in community and discuss what went well for us in the day. It’s where we air our grievances if we have any, making sure we take responsibility for our own actions, feelings and fears and don’t attribute them to the fault others.

It is not an exercise in fault find.

It’s an exercise in community building, communication, support and clarity.

The eleventh task of every day is entertainment time

We are not here to suffer. Life is to be enjoyed it is our gift. Board games, card games, interactive games, music, dance play. This is where we play.

The twelvth task of every day is quiet reflection then sleep.

This is crucial, good sleep is the key to good health. Quiet reflection is the key to understanding who I am and what I am doing here and how I can contribute more. It’s considered to be the final quiet time of the day. We withdraw slowly to our chambers, bedrooms, houses, and we prepare for a good nights sleep , grateful or our experiences in the day.

what will the physical space look like?

This is a huge amount of work . The vision for the 6000 meters is to have the following

  • A Retreat forest at the bottom of the property away from the buildings and structures. Here are many types of trees, oak chestnut sycamore and whatever other trees are indigenous to the region. The space will have small benches where individuals can go alone and sit  with the trees as they grow and develop.
  • A ecological office. : A work space in nature for groups to plan discuss eat and drink together in nature away from the main buildings somewhere in the forest.
  • An orchard containing if possible all of the following trees.
    • Apple
    • Pear
    • Plum
    • Cherry
    • Abricot
    • Citrus ( various)
    • Peach
  • A nut orchard, containing
    • Hazel
    • Almond
    • Walnut
  • Water features that will lend to the principles of permaculture, house fish, and enable us to water our plants and of course take time out to reflect on the nature of water and it’s role in our life.
  • Wooden chalets to house both members of the community and paying guests.
  • A permaculture garden or gardens that will grow all the food for the community
  • A chicken farm to supply eggs, not meat.
  • Possible goat or sheep cheese production at a later date.
  • Beehives for apiculture honey and wax production.
  • Composting centres.
  • Rain barrels
  • Solar panels
  • Wind turbines
  • An adequate dining room
  • An adequate conference room
  • Areas where those who don’t fit in the physical structures can place tents temporarily.
  • Transparent domes for skywatching and sleeping.

Obviously we are in very very early stages yet. But eventually we will be up and running and contactable on TheHealingPath.eu.

thanks for reading.