Neos is Born!
Key Reflections for Fellow New Earth Builders
A week ago exactly, we signed the deed, moved onto the Neos land, and were catapulted into the next phase of neos·life — the baby is born and with barely a moment to celebrate, now the ‘real’ work begins, and immediately!
Our days are currently filled with endless meetings and decisions — like what to do with 200 cows and how to ensure they have enough food for the season, and how to get planning permission in time for EU grant submission.
But let’s back up for a moment!!!
This newsletter was either going to be one reflecting on the insights and lessons learnt from succeeding in fundraising for the land acquisition — or of not succeeding.
Yet the insights from either outcome are equally relevant/irrelevant because on the consciousness expansion path there are no mistakes and what seems like failure is only a redirection to further expansion.
Is there a more beautiful way of being, than that your intention is never a particular outcome, but rather only to be the vessel for the work of Source? To let go of all other stories except that you are consciousness fully experiencing each scintillating moment? This is our path.
It was a year of intense pressure and roller coaster twists and turns. We even lost a being we dearly loved just before the completion. And with attempts to possibly scam us, being let down, and all manner of challenges, it truly was a Hero’s Journey for both of us.
We literally poured everything into this project, and in this process of unconditional all-in giving amidst relentless challenges, were carved into much wiser, softer, and wider spirited beings than before — and so, we would have trusted any outcome, and it is ultimately this, we believe, that deems us worthy stewards of this vision.
For as we have attempted to convey all along, this isn’t an ordinary holistic retreat centre / regenerative project / eco community. It holds a different purpose— certainly scale, and only the kind of people that some would consider utterly crazy are devoted and tenacious enough to be ‘chosen for the job.’
I would often note a certain look on the faces of founders I met of significant projects — Mac Macartney from Embercombe, and Clare Dubois of TreeSisters to name a couple. It is a look of having seen, felt and been through far more than they ever conceived possible at the start of their journeys to create such projects.
We are actually only beginning, and yet I suspect we already have that look in our eyes. But there is a beauty in that look, a light that shines in a way it can never do from a life within one’s comfort zone.
A ‘New Earth’ — or rather New Humanity, asks us to transcend our limited stories that keep us in avoidance of pain and uncertainty, to shift into a greater frequency of trusting, empowered creation, and to join forces.
One thing is for sure, we couldn't have done it without the support and teamwork from the incredible beings working with us on all planes and levels, not to mention the brave future village residents who trusted their intuition to join at this stage.
The news of the bridge loan to carry us across the threshold also came on the eve of the anniversary when Vincent and I had our very first zoom meeting a year ago — the perfect anniversary gift and wink from ‘the universe’ at our union.
We invite you to pause and breathe with us.
So many big visionary projects have failed to make it this far, and the very first thing we would give guidance or encouragement on to those seeking it for their own visionary ambitions is written in these passages. Can you surrender to the grace of giving and holding this much?
For those eager to learn from our journey, here’s some of our top insights and lessons from the past year:
Insights and Lessons
Trust and act on what is core to the vision — don’t get held hostage by apparent limitations. Community was so core to the vision yet we delayed leaning into it because of perceived deadlines that in the end were constantly extended.
Don’t allow yourself to be taken hostage by anything. Every time we compromised — (especially when it comes to money or people) instead of honouring deep alignment we wasted valuable time and energy.
Trust your intuition and follow your YES. Many people said we shouldn’t be investing in architecture etc. already but we were just allowing all the jigsaw pieces to come together for this moment now when it is immediately needed.
Don’t avoid the most grounded approach just because it’s about the ‘spiritual vision’. We would probably expand on the development plan, business plan, and take more of a real estate approach from the start if we did it over again.
If it’s truly your blueprint — truly aligned with your whole being, rather than just something you’re generally aligned with or think is a good idea — don’t give up. Be persistent and trust the higher powers working through you.
Face the most uncomfortable questions and recognise the mirrors in your own movie. Life will always provide them and the signs will only increase if you don’t pay attention.
For example, more than once we were asked, “why is it so hard to receive the needed funds, when you have so many millionaires and billionaires in your network that seem somewhat aligned to the vision?”
Then at one point we were pressed to answer if we will compensate ourselves for our time so far. Despite advocating having other people’s energy rewarded, in our ‘devotion’ we never once thought or spoke about our own compensation. How could we RECEIVE when all we were set on doing was giving? This is martyrdom and belongs in the old paradigm.
Never underestimate the power of humility and sincerity. Even if people aren’t visionary new paradigm builders, they still respond to an honest heart. We wrote a heartfelt letter to the sellers at one point — against the advised norm — that moved them and their advisors so much they started rooting for us as well.
On another occasion I sensed that for the sellers to give us more time it would be essential that we allow them to vent and express their anger and frustration, and that we should gracefully welcome it.
Ignore the critics. As Brene Brown said, those who have never stood in the fire are not qualified to give their opinions. It’s not about hating back, but rather not giving any energy to people who prefer to criticise others who are walking through the fire to create something to lift humanity over doing it themselves.
When creating something so big and potentially difficult, it is more important than ever to find and associate yourself with the people who light you up, that hold you to higher possibilities, that fill a gap in your world that is essential for your of wholeness.
Many people can offer criticism. Only some is actually helpful — discern the difference.
Not everyone will understand why you’re doing it the way you’re doing it and it’s not your job to explain it to them. Let go of caretaking others’ perceptions and expectations.
It is generally assumed that a bigger team means you get more done. But more people — if not the perfect fit — can mean hours of unnecessary meetings and conversations. We got so much done precisely BECAUSE there was only two of us in the core team who are deeply aligned and therefore can work semi-independently.
Our team were our:
Lawyers and Advisors (with whom Vincent spent the majority of his time jumping through impossible legal hoops to make this happen in this country).
Architects and Content Creators, helping us to communicate the vision.
Other-worldly mentors, especially Lisa Margulies — the one person in the world who could keep our compass set to North whenever we started to fall apart.
Completion of Phase 0
Ultimately some projects — when truly from the heart — are just divinely guided and even when it feels like mission impossible, it is your path to simply go through it.
Both Vincent and I each had areas to evolve through. We believe we were meant to go through this ‘schooling’ to initiate us for what is to come next.
As always in hindsight, maybe we could’ve been smarter about it, but we definitely shouldn’t have been any less crazy, determined, or intuitive.
We hope this can provide some inspiration to other new culture creators and new earth visionaries!
Thank you each of you, for every and any positive thought in our direction — any mention of us in a conversation or momentary prayer — for this belongs to all of us.
And so a new chapter begins, of co-creation and transformation. Very soon we hope to welcome you to a retreat or nature experience stay!
Much love,
Karen and Vincent
P.S. watch out for our follow up newsletter on Phase 1, including —
Our speaker panel and booth at Unicorn Summit.
We are looking for a live-in gardening, farm, construction and maintenance person. See here
Our first in-house retreats.
This is absolutely incredible. I’m rooting for you guys in more ways than you know ❤️🔥
What an inspirational story. And the lessons, so powerful and hard won. Deepest gratitude that you paused to reflect and share this information, it might be just as important as the project itself.