About Us
Our aim at Culdees -
Ecovillage is to create a caring community, at one with the natural
environment – where life’s challenges are seen as
opportunities for
growth.
Within this website lies some information about Culdees,
the people here and the work that they are involved in.
People:
The central character here is Reverend Mother Maryse Verkaik-Anand, an Universal Multi Faith Minister. Maryse says:
"I originate from Amsterdam in The Netherlands, where I studied Comparative Religion. I started my own business when barely seventeen, which grew to a 24-strong team. I married and after my two children were born, I gave this business to my colleagues and concentrated more on family life. My husband died when the children were still young, and I continued with his business. Later on, when I moved to Scotland, again I gave the business away to the workers. I moved into a thousand year old castle, eight miles from Culdees, where I lived for twelve years as a hermit in total silence -except when the children, their spouses and my four now-teenage grand-children came to visit.
"This situation ended when I re-married: Dr. Anand, a GP from Glasgow. From then on I helped my husband in his surgery a couple of days each week. We made phyto-medicines and saw patients from all over the world in our small private clinic. We had our own laboratory in the Strathclyde University. I also created and work with ReSOULving, helping individuals use their soul wisdom to resolve issues or aspects of their life which no longer serve them. Other disciplines are ‘Perceptual Enrichment Programme’, Radionics, and Reiki; I am a Reiki Master. My husband died some years ago; I do miss the contact with patients, and the research into plant-based medicines.
"I got an inner calling to start a 'school, based on Human Values', and soon realised that it was not a school-school I had to build, but a 'school of life' and a village as vehicle to carry it. To accommodate this, I bought Boreland Farm, which I plan to gradually transform the 120-acres into a living, growing, Permaculture site and applying Human Values in all aspects.
"I myself am passionate about Senior CoHousing: Another reason for considering an alternative way of living was the realisation that if I were to go into a retirement/ residential/care or nursing home, I would stick out like a sore thumb. It is likely that the staff, the other residents and myself would all be very unhappy due to my personal choices. Being a vegetarian, having an ‘other-than-generally-accepted’ relationship with the concept of God, being a Mystic, including Eastern Philosophy and Sufism, practising Meditation/Yoga/Tai-Chi, using alternative Medical Practices, etc. does not, at present, usually generate endearment with the general public. I therefore decided to instigate the senior co-housing aspect, as a complementary component of the overall vision of the Culdees eco-village project -which also includes the multi-generational aspect- before it is too late and I do not have enough energy left to pull it off the ground..
"Another reason is that I, -like most people, I believe- like to be surrounded by like-minded people; that there will always be someone with whom one can go for walks and swims and Scottish country dance classes; to dress up and enjoy together the cultural aspects of life like theatre, classical concert, ballet, opera, museum and regular visit to a good restaurant. Share a bottle of good wine or just sit quiet with a good book. Visit the Scala in Milan, the Arena in Verona, Venice, and other cultural cities. Or being accompanied on trips to, for example, India for a spiritual 'top-up' and Ayurvedic treatment.
"I follow two studies in the Open University: Environmental Sciences and Social Sciences and hope to eventually do my Ph.D thesis on this project as case study."
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John joined us in April 2008. . .
“Although I have a background in electronic engineering, and had worked in the NHS for 20 years, living a fairly conventional life, being interested in gardening and DIY, I have long felt drawn towards some form of intentional community lifestyle in a rural setting, but have been aware of many groups that have started and failed, so I was somewhat cautious in my search. After hearing about Maryse's inspiring vision, I spent a number of weeks volunteering at Culdees in late 2007. Before that, I had been living amongst a buddhist community, and following retirement from my job, I was seeking some form of meaningful life for the future. Although I feel my time with the buddhists was worthwhile, I felt it was time for me to move-on, and I felt drawn towards Maryse's plans for a multi-faith eco-village, where all faiths are respected equally. So, having been made to feel welcome, and taking the plunge, I packed up my possessions and arrived with my fully-laden minibus. Since moving here I have found plenty to occupy my time, ranging from electrical and computer and office tasks to work in the garden and milking the goat, along with numerous other activities. I can't see myself ever getting bored here. From what I have learned about the principles and advantages of co-housing, I look forward to participating as this project develops.”
In addition, others based at Culdees will be writing something about themselves soon, including:
Ichijo, and Gudo, (joined us in 2008)
We are now wanting to take practical steps towards building our eco-houses and because we have attracted a number of senior participants, we are focusing on the Senior CoHousing project at present. This will be complementary to our Multi-Generational CoHousing project, the two being integrated in such a way as to give people their own privacy and independence, at the same time as providing ample opportunities to collaborate with others amongst our community.