There is something of the sacred in Hogsback. Perhaps it is the ethereal proximity of dense, indigenous forests that hint at faery folk, or its remoteness that make it so. But few people leave here without some element of reparation, even if it is simply their faith in the beauty of nature that is restored.

The approach to the eco shrine, which the artist Diana Graham calls the 'Voice of the Earth Eco shrine', does much to reinforce this impression. It is a tunnel formed by lean, leafy Hazelnut trees that create a vortex through which one moves from one time into another. Or so it seems.

2010 is virtually upon us, but before we allow the new year to sweep us back into the swing of things, it's a good moment to reflect on the past year and what news stories were most popular with our readers.

1. is Woolworths just another bad egg?
So there you are; surrounded by posters of poultry basking in their freedom, your conscience and shopping experience clean because you are promised that the eggs you are buying came from free-range chickens. If chickens could smile, I’m sure we would be confronted by an enormous picture of a splendid beaky grin.

2. you can recycle tetra pak!
I have to confess to sending various irate messages to Tetra Pak over the last year about their apparent lack of recycling facilities in Cape Town, or the country for that matter. The perception out there, despite their very obvious drive to recycle overseas, is that one can't recycle tetra pak, and there are a fair amount of them if you consider things like fruit juice, some olive oil, long-life milk and custard all come in these containers – they heap up over time!

Tulum, Yucatan Peninsula, MexicoSouth African’s have a history of reacting when it’s always far too late. We look for solutions to our electricity shortage only when the lights go out. It takes 20 years to build a new large power station that would make a difference to the power grid and that’s if the government can even raise the money. Which, it’s proving it cannot do, as the international investors would rather invest and lend money to those countries with vision and integrity. ESKOM has recently announced more cancellations of new power generation projects than additions to our power grid. The reality is, they cannot raise the money. Our energy security future looks particularly dark.

The past few months have been radical…hence the tardiness of this blog. Life in community has reached new depths, depths that I could never have imagined possible.

Up until a month or two ago, I can honestly say I was living mostly through my intellect…my body acting out the ideals which were formed in my mind and in the minds and hearts of those within the community. Striving to live as truthfully as possible to these ideals, holding the vision firmly, wavering at times…Every step thus far has been carefully weighed & chosen. It is only within the past few months that alas! my heart has started leading the way, as the foundation has now been created for the embarking on the ever-unfolding journey of self-realisation.

The community itself has collectively reached a new level of ‘becoming real’ or becoming aware of the present moment. Talking circles have become so transparent that

A few days ago I returned to Khula Dhamma after a two month trip to Cape Town, during which I was at times ‘plugged into’ the grid of everyday life in the city environment.

On my return, I was picked up at the bus station by one of the residents who was on his way to drop off the community’s recycling. As the bakkie, filled to the brim & tied with ropes, was nearing I couldn’t help but smile to myself - never a dull moment on the farm!

That sight, which once would have caused my stomach to turn – coming from a place where tidiness and image were always overemphasized – has now become a scene that brings warm feelings of familiarity to my heart.

We arrived late afternoon when the usual busyness I knew has quieted down.

Join Estelle Willemse as she becomes a committed member of Khula Dhamma eco-village near East London, to live in an eco-friendly, sustainable way in harmony with nature. [for part 1] [part 2], [part 3], [part 4], [part 5] and [part 6]

It is Monday 27th April. I am back at Khula Dhamma, and a month has passed since my return from the Vision Quest...

Join Estelle Willemse as she becomes a committed member of Khula Dhamma eco-village near East London, to live in an eco-friendly, sustainable way in harmony with nature. [for part 1] [part 2], [part 3], [part 4] and [part 5]

It’s 7:52pm and I’m wide awake (usually I would be in bed by now, as the daylight has faded) looking through pictures of my time spent here at Khula Dhamma. Some photos seem completely surreal, as if from another world. I still have to pinch myself every now and then, just to make sure this experience is real.

Join Estelle Willemse as she becomes a committed member of Khula Dhamma eco-village near East London, to live in an eco-friendly, sustainable way in harmony with nature. [for part 1] [part 2] & [part 3] and [part 4]

It is 10:38 am and I am sitting outside on the grass under a magnificent blue sky, clouds scattered here and there and I can feel the wind softly moving through the trees and leaves. I arrived back at Khula Dhamma about a week ago, and have been settling into my new room and adjusting to the change, coming, as I have, from the fast-paced city-life...

Join Estelle Willemse as her time as a wwoofer at Khula Dhamma eco-village near East London to learn the ins and outs of eco-friendly, sustainable living, comes to an end…yet gains a new beginning [for part 1] [part 2] & [part 3]

I returned to Khula Dhamma after completing the 10 day Vipassana course recently. I am feeling enriched, blessed and filled with gratitude like never before. I wish the whole world could enrol in this course, as I have found it to be the most practical, essential & universal teaching to bless mankind. It is a technique of self purification through sustained self observation, and the 3 trainings include sila-morality, samadhi-mastery of the mind & panna-wisdom through insight. Practising correctly directly enables us to experience liberation & inner peace.

I was humbled to return to the beauty of Khula Dhamma, which now

Join Estelle Willemse as she wwoofs at Khula Dhamma eco-village near East London to learn the ins and outs of eco-friendly, sustainable living… [for part 1]

Saturday, 22 November, 2008

It’s Saturday, and I’ve been here almost 2 weeks. This week has gone by particularly fast as there’s so much happening around the community. Everyone is working hard to complete different projects, from building houses to digging in the garden.

It’s 4pm and I’m lying in a hammock overlooking the farm and the valleys beyond. I’m enjoying the sound of birds and the faint murmurs of a group of residents talking & sharing while completing some work on the grass in front of the house. I’ve finished work for the day. It’s a good feeling, having put in a conscious effort & seeing the results of the work you’ve done. It’s the perfect atmosphere in which to learn responsibility and discipline, because here, if you don’t do something yourself, it simply won’t get done.