March News

Dear Friends of Earth & Soul, 

When the Dalai Lama was asked if he had hope for the future, his first response was to laugh. This is a gift from both the Dalai Lama and Desmond Tutu, the gift of laughter. This is not cheap laughter. When we think of their stories and the untold wrongs they have experienced in their lives, we see this laughter comes from a deep well within each of them. The Dalai Lama’s response to the question was that, of course, he had hope — because the future has not yet happened.

We must also remember that hope is not a passive act of wishing things to be different than they are. Hope is a verb, and we must speak up and take action in body, mind and soul. 

In The Rebirthing of God, John Philip speaks of the strong ‘no’ and equally strong ‘yes’ of Gandhi. In these challenging and chaotic times, it is often easy to focus only on what we are against and find a common enemy. We must also ask what it is we are for and how we can be part of the new birthings of the Spirit in our lives and world. The work of Earth & Soul is designed to nurture a vision of Earth and every human being as sacred and to enable the work of transformation and healing in our lives and world.

We invite you to join us in community for a time of teaching, spiritual practice, and asking how this translates into compassionate action in our lives and world. Upcoming opportunities include Celtic Wisdom 3 (online, April 25–26) and several in-person events throughout May. The additional growing list of 2026 and 2027 retreats, pilgrimages and events is on our Events Page. 

Due to cancellations, there are a few spots now open for the Pilgrimage of Spiritual Practice week with Cami Twilling on the Isle of Iona. Please contact the Columba Hotel to register for one of these spots:

Single sea view
Twin/double sea view (2 people)
Family room sea view (2 people)

Let us pray for new birthings in our own lives, for one another, for our communities, for our nations and the world.

In the beginning, O God, 
your spirit swept over the chaotic deep like a wild wind
and creation was born. 
In the turbulence of my own life
and the unsettled waters of the world today
let there be new birthings of your Spirit. 
In the currents of my own heart
and the upheavals of the world today
let there be new birthings of your mighty Spirit. 
-Celtic Benediction, John Philip Newell

Let us have courage to say both a strong ‘no’ and a strong ‘yes’ as we speak and act and live from a deep place of compassionate action. 

Thank you for being part of the Earth & Soul community. We are grateful for each of you. 

Peace,

Cami Twilling
Director, Earth & Soul