9th August

VICARS BLOG FRIDAY 9^TH AUGUST.

STRANRAER.

As I write this I am feeling somewhat queasy, and we are not even at sea. We are moored on a pontoon in Stranraer. We were on our way to Portpatrick, but because we were fighting the wind decided to bring Pilgrim into the nearest possible port.

This morning we awoke, hoping to make way, but by the time we had got up, the winds were up again. So instead of moping on the situation we are in at the moment, I have decided to think about and write about more positive aspects of our trip in the last week or so. (Chris has just had to go out with more rope.)

On 5^th August we left the Crinan Canal, after being there three days, again because of strong winds, to head for the Isle of Arran where Chris has some friends who run a Bed and Breakfast in Loch Ranza. After mooring up, and pumping up the dinghy, (we are getting very efficient at this.) We rowed over, well I didn’t, Chris did the rowing…….. but I do carry out most of the pumping, on the ‘blowey uppey’  pump thing though. Although just to explain I don’t blow it up using my lungs, I use my legs.

Anyway we had a meal with Jean and Andy, and during the conversation we had explained that we had been to some of the other Scottish Islands in the past to visit many of the amazing Standing Stone sites. Jean happened to mention that there were some stones on Arran pre-dating Stonehenge, and she would be willing to take us. We were delighted and took her up on the offer.

Jean, in the past had lived in Beckenham had spent many years as a child holidaying on the Isle of Arran, and was so knowledgeable about the local birdlife, wildlife, and geology of the Island she was an excellent guide as we drove around the island. And the six stone circles at Macrie Moor were spectacular. We had lunch in a Golf course with spectacular views of Mull. Jean drove us back to the B& B, for a cup of tea before a quick pint in the local hotel, before returning to Pilgrim.

After a drink in thehotel, Chris tried to row us back to the boat, but because of the wind and an incoming tide, we made our way back to the shore, resigned to waiting the wind to calm down. It was as we carrying the boat along the shore that we noticed Pilgrim’s anchor was hanging down, in a very precarious way, swaying in the wind. It definitely began to dawn on me, that sometimes it seems sailing is just going from one possible disaster or hazard to another. Those who have romantic ideas of sitting on the front of the boat drinking wine, sunbathing, and relaxing, HAVE NO IDEA! My sister and her husband went sailing with friends in the Mediterranean Sea, and she told me that when it came to mooring up in a harbour, she would make her way down to her cabin, because  of the inevitable tensions that arose between the couple who were responsible for the trip.

Anyway because of the anchor we needed to get back to Pilgrim, Chris suggested we walk over to the little jetty, near the harbour as there may be someone who could help. Luckily for us, a chap came along to check his dingy; Chris explained our situation and he offered to take us over to Pilgrim.

I’ve had to take a break from writing as I have been feeling really sea sick, as I was walking up the pontoon, which was moving, Chris shouted out, “ Are you sure you don’t want to go to sea.” This rather barbed comment, because it’s always me who wants to be moving on, and I get frustrated when we are held up by the weather.

“Oh blimey, what now another crisis.”

Right a charter boat that normally moors on the Pontoon, (although we are on approved visitors mooring) where Pilgrim and another boat are at present, wanted us to move to make room for him, but decided the wind was too strong, has gone somewhere else.

Right, anyway.

After our stay in Loch Ranza. We sailed down the breathtaking coast of Arran making our way to the south end of the Island, to the bay of Lamlash, as we wanted to visit Holy Isle, which had been the site of a hermitage of a Celtic Saint, St. Molaise, monk, who had been born in Ireland, raised in Scotland.

St. Molaise, lived in a rock shelter above the shore western shore. By the 1100’s a monastery had been founded, to act as a hospice for the many pilgrims visiting his monastery.

Holy Isle is now owned by Buddhists from the Tibetan monastery of Samye Ling, in Dumfries, which Chris and I visited some years ago, we were very impressed by the gentle, respect for all forms of life that Buddhists have, for me the spirituality of Buddhist monks and nuns is very like that of Franciscan monks and nuns within our own Christian tradition.

When Chris an I were at Samye Ling monastery, we saw information on Holy Isle, and back then I had hoped that one day I/we would visit Holy Isle, and the Centre for World Peace. At the centre an ongoing programme of retreats and conferences are held, the community who run the centre work with environmental groups, working with nature for the well being of the plants and animals that thrive on the Ireland. There is a community of Lay people who work with the monks and nuns.

Holy Isle has is a rocky geology, with a high peak. From Lamlash you can see the Jetty where guests arrive, and the Centre for World Peace. There is a small ferry that motors across to Holy Isle, run by Jim a real ‘salty sea dog character’.

Jean our friend on Arran, had told us of the anxious reaction of the local people, when it was announced that Buddhists, were moving on to the Island. But over the years, they and their work have come to be respected, especially the environmental aspects of conservation and ecology that are so much part of the ethos of the community, both religious and Lay.

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On Wednesday (7^th August) Chris and I caught the first ferry (a small motor boat) to Holy Isle. All visitors are met at the jetty by a member of the resident community. The history and the ethos of the centre is explained, and visitors are encouraged to visit the organic garden, and walk around the Island. There are two main suggested walks, around the coast path, which passes, the healing spring, St. Molaise’s cave. Which is regularly swept and cared for by the community.( The cave continues to be a place of prayer.) There are also three ecological pods, built into the hillside, where people live in retreat. There are also painted rocks along the way of different Buddhist deities.

As well as the amazing birds that make the Island their home, there are also Eriskay ponies, Sanaan goats, and my favourites the Soay sheep. It was the Vikings who brought these to Holy Isle, so that when they were passing through on their various voyages, there would always be a meat supply. However, these animals live long and happy lives, as the diet of the Buddhists and the guests are vegetarian.

The walk along the coast ends at the Southern Lighthouse and lighthouse cottages, where an international group of twelve women are participating in the first Tibetan Buddhist closed retreat in Holy Island’s history. This is a traditional Tibetan retreat, which lasts THREE YEARS AND THREE MONTHS, and is made up of silence, study, meditation and prayer. The women are now half way through their retreat.

I put the period of time of the retreat in block capitals, because for the last few years I do an annual silent retreat of five days. I would at some point like to take part in a thirty day Ignation retreat, as many people do, but the thought of three years is certainly challenging.

The second walk that visitors to the Island can do is across the top peak which is a rugged walk……climb. Which Chris and I tried, but felt we didn’t want to climb the last bit. (“Oh! If you had approached by the other side it’s so much easier”, we were told afterwards.)

When Chris and I arrived on the Island, we visited the organic garden first, I am not a gardener, but I came across a notice which made me smile.

‘The centre and the garden are staffed entirely by short and long term volunteers. The garden is also staffed by worms, insects, birds, slowworms and the odd red squirrel.’

This made me smile and resonated with me because so much of what the Celtic Church was about, the interconnectedness of all that is on the earth. The Celtic church with its creation centred ethos is not unlike that of the Buddhist ethos.

It was Chris who pointed out to me, what the Celtic Church started, living on Islands, the appreciation of ‘thin places’, the promotion of the interconnectedness of all creatures, the Buddhists now seem to taking up the mantle. The same principles that we found at the Community of Iona are the same as the Buddhists of Samye- Ling.

Although Jesus for me is the way, the truth and the life, I have never subscribed to a Christianity that writes off the truths, wisdom and religious writings of other Faiths. I prefer to seem them as fellow travellers.

Chris actually brought  ‘The Tibetan Book of Living and Dying’ by Sogyal Rinpoche.  I would like to conclude with a prayer as I always do with these blogs, and I will choose one from the above book, that sums up what the spirituality of Holy Isle is all about.

May I be the protector to those without protection,

A leader for those who journey,

And a boat, a bridge, a passage

For those desiring the further shore.

May the pain of every living creature

be completely cleared away.

May I be the doctor and the medicine

and may I be the nurse

for all sick beings in the world

until everyone is healed.

Just like space

and the great elements such as earth,

may I always support the life

of all the boundless creatures.

And until they pass away from pain

May I also be the source of life

For all the realms of varied beings

That reach until the ends of space.

PILGRIM: When am I gonna get a say. You said I would write the next Blog. I’m being censored……even though I know you would say you don’t believe in censorship.

Jeanette. Why would I censor you, its just I wanted to write about Holy Isle, it’s such an amazing place.

PILGRIM:  Your censoring me ever since you and the captain had that row.

Jeanette: Why would I do that.

PILGRIM. Well, for a start, your waxing lyrical about peace and harmony, when you…

Jeanette. No don’t….you wouldn’t dare.

PILGRIM. I’ve been censored since you had that argument on the Crinan canal…..

Jeanette. No don’t I would be very embarrassed.

PILGRIM: I saw you throw a rope at the captain in temper.

………hey everyone her holiness threw a rope at the captain!

Jeanette: That’s it I’m off to the pub.