Dressed for Dancing: My Sojourn in the Findhorn Foundation. Author: Leslie Hill
(Reviewed by Anne Miles)
Leslie Hill, widowed in early middle age after a marriage that had provided unconditional love, is troubled by her grief process. Raised to believe that to experience negative emotion of any kind is to display a flawed character, she thinks there’s something wrong with her because she’s unable to stop grieving and “move on” a few months after her husband’s death.
On the advice of a relative, she checks out the famous Findhorn Foundation in Scotland. While she’s disturbed by the emotional openness she finds there (not to mention nudity in the sauna), Leslie finds herself drawn back to Findhorn, eventually staying for years at a time. After much resistance, her Findhorn experiences help her to accept and work through her anger and grief, embrace her authentic self, and become a more whole human being.
As a relatively recent widow myself, I found this short memoir a compulsive read. I stayed up late to finish it and was done two days after taking it out of the library. I recommend it to anyone interested in spirituality, the grieving process, or the Findhorn Foundation.
- Publisher: Incite Press (Nov. 1, 2012)
- Language: English
- ISBN-10: 0986612758
- ISBN-13: 978-0986612756
- Available from Amazon.com
- Available in Gibsons Library
- www.lesliehill.ca
A reader who finds this book interesting might also enjoy “The Magic of Findhorn” by journalist Paul Hawken, published 1975. Labelled “An Eyewitness Account” it is an account of the early development of the new-age community in the village of Findhorn. I read it when it was published and it has stayed with me since, literally, as still have a copy thanks to a good friend who found it for me!
Hey Bobbie! I’ll lookout for The Magic of Findhorn. I’ve been wanting to connect with you since that evening I saw you at the Heritage when I had to rush off because I had a ride. Please get in touch.
Anne: I love your writing. You always whet my appetite. I will look for this book.