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This is beautiful Caroline x

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I, too, very much look forward to the encounter between Iain McGilchrist and Dougald. A video, even from your phone, would be great as well.

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We made a proper film and audio recording of Dougald and Iain. Then we did the same for me and Iain, because Dougald 'gently but firmly' pressured me into doing it. Which is fair enough as we have been meaning to do that for a decade. I should receive the video from him in the next day or so and will get to editing it for here over the next week. Dougald is doing the same with his. A McG video double whammy is on the cards.

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Being a follower of the Sufi way for a long time now, and an older single woman who has suffered many losses (including that of my youthful athletic freedom due to consecutive physical setbacks), I appreciate your lovely depiction of your difficult journey of losses in this letter to your friend, and of how you have come to find the Beloved in so many dispersed manifestations - Earthly, and yes, in Coldplay too! This is good work, not always easy. I also want to thank you for encouraging, in a post awhile back, to watch Iaian McGilchrist's interview about The Matter With Things. I'd been familiar with his work, but not this newest one. I was riveted, and have started to absorb even more of his talks...mana! I get vicarious pleasure thinking of you and Dougald going up there to speak with him. I look forward to hearing about it. :)

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Thanks for your comment. I wanted to dive straight into those books, but am revisiting TMAHE right now in relation to the Taoist Classics. So I suppose they will hit my reading desk this Easter, if I am lucky.

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At last - Ian McGilchrist and Dougald meet up! Will one be able to get access to their conversation, real time, or, recorded? Thanks!

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Definitely not in real time, but, so long as my trusty Audacity and Descript programs don't mess up the recording and transcription, something should manifest at some point. It's in Dougald's hands. I will write something, too, I expect, if it seems fitting.

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Fantastic dream :) I can relate to all of this, and I too still have my sword in the cupboard, hoping I'll get back to practice some day.

I wonder if this event might be of interest: https://emergencemagazine.org/event/shifting-landscapes-retreat/ (I have applied)

Oh and if you enjoyed Knives Out, Glass Onion is your next stop!

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I really enjoyed Glass Onion too. I think we need to set up a sword play and pigment day. What form do you practice? I checked out that course, thanks for that, but will just have got home from teaching with Dark Mountain at Schumacher College https://dark-mountain.net/events/the-labyrinth-and-the-dancing-floor-2/ so will need a wee bit of time on my own by then!

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Ah, busy summer!

I used to practice Yang and Chen style Taiji Jian. It's so long ago though and I'm no longer fit for low stances, I'd have to do a lot of relearning.

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No way. Me too! What a coincidence. Ok, jians and ochres this summer. I can no longer leap, so we shall be 'graceful ladies of a certain age'.

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Sounds like a plan! XD I'll be able to plan properly from April, after I've come back from retreat and re-set my year...

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Caroline, your work is outstanding - the tone and content convey a deep understanding of life. I appreciate that. D

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