Reviews - General 85

The second parI t rangeO s over a number of development of scientific practice. She analyses terrains including climate change, green eco- its 'interventive' nature, links with progress nomics, geology, the precautionary principle in and progressive thought, then with govern- engineering, and new ways of teaching science ments and power. She indicates how accepted so as to incorporate an ecological ethic. Part truths are established in the wake of contests Three — Synthesis — returns to cultural factors for authority and cautions against confusing and raises questions about the adequacy of sci- predictive with explanatory power as well as entific epistemology. Member Wangari logical deduction with prediction. The overall Maathai writes about her emancipation from message of the book is the need to recognize gender stereotypes and structural causes of not only the embeddedness of science within environmental degradation; Brian Moss shows nature and culture, but also the necessity for a how a mechanistic mentality invariably leads rethinking of science leading to a revisioning to what he calls a fragmentationist world view; of the world as a whole and therefore of our and Harmke Kamminga outlines some of the relationships to it — ecologically, politically and essential ideas which have influenced the economically.

Ecoyoga by HENRYK SKOLIMOWSKI (SMN) Gaia Books, 1994, 191 pp., £10.99 h/b. ISBN I-85675-071-X he inspiration for this book came from a empowerment. Henryk reminds us the time Tfriend asking what kind of exercises is our friend and that we are all capable of Henryk was going to give students of eco-phi- identifying with the sublime in ourselves and losophy to reflect and embody his main ideas. others. This means cultivating our sensitivi- The result is this beautiful and touching work ties and fostering the qualities of peace, hope which is at once a meditation on aspects of the and courage so that we find our vision. On inner life and a series of quotations and yogas. Hope: it is the scaffolding of our very being; It is a distillation of many years of deep think- and Courage: it supports our quest for mean- ing which issues in epigrammatic observations ing and fuels our action and imagination. and wise advice on the art of living which occa- This book expresses Henryk's inner voice sionally reminded me of Andre Maurois. and is produced with a beauty which corre- Among the yogas elucidated are those of sponds with reflective and nurturing con- empathy, reverence, silence, listening and tent.

General Hypocrisy and Dissent within the Findhorn Foundation: Towards a Sociology of a New Age Community by STEPHEN J. CASTRO New Media Books 1996. xv + 240 pp., p/b ISBN 0-9526881 -0-7 Review by Simon Kidd ideals and the actual reality of a New Age com- his book provides an important insight munity; namely, the Findhorn Foundation in Tinto the disparity between the professed the far north of Scotland. As its subtitle indi- August 1996 Xo 61 cates, it is intended as a contribution towards a concerted as time passed. She discovered that sociology of such a community. The author has this supposedly spiritual centre was actually meticulously collected his data and presents it devoted to commercial therapies, and not even with notable perspicuity in an attempt to in a professional manner, but applied indiscrim- inform both sociologists and general public inately, often by people without recognized aca- alike. Its broader significance lies, I believe, in demic qualifications. (Castro points out that the possible implications of the case in question this is possible in the UK, clue to the absence of for our perception of similar organizations. the stricter legal controls which are in evidence The Findhorn Foundation is, as sociologist in other European countries.) Her mildly Eileen Barker has noted, 'one of the best- expressed protests drew mostly hostility, from known of the New Age communities in Britain' authority- figures and fellow participants alike, (quoted p. xi). As such, its influence is consider- and she was subsequently labelled, by the for- able, having connections with similar commu- mer group, as a 'troublemaker'. The situation nities worldwide. By 1993 the net worth of the was exacerbated by her stand against the intro- Foundation's properties was quoted at £\.6 duction of Holotropic Breath work™ in 1989 million, and the commercial turnover for its and by the publication of vol. 3 of her autobiog- trading arm, New Findhorn Directions, was raphy (with its additional material) in 1.992. said to be £l.2 million. Castro reveals Thomas as a person of great In the light of its charitable status, its mater- integrity, who was not willing to compromise ial wealth, and its obvious prestige in the New principles in the face of injustice and hypocrisy. Age milieu, it is rather startling to learn some- It seems that the more the members, and in thing of the modus operand! of this organiza- particular the leaders, of the Foundation were tion. Its members claim to receive the 'direct confronted with their misdeeds, the more wil- guidance of God' This is a highly questionable fully they refused to face up to them. basis for the administration of any organiza- Subsequently there was a great deal of publici- tion, especially when one learns later in the ty, at both local and national level. Among book the basis on which the claim rests. Yet the other significant events, we learn that the SCO process of 'attunement' is used in the commissioned a report by a forensic expert at Foundation to this day. and is applied to the Edinburgh University into the effects of hyper- whole spectrum of decision making. The dan- ventilation, on the basis of which, in 1993, the ger, as Castro points out, lies in the sense of Findhorn Foundation suspended its Holo- infallibility that such a belief provides. Its impli- tropic Breathwork™ courses. cations are very serious, as this book reveals. Kate Thomas was blocked from any closer The Findhorn Foundation has had numer- involvement with the community, and even ous dissenters. In addition to its very strained banned from its properties. She was never relations with the indigenous populations of given an adequate explanation, nor a public Findhorn and Forres, a number of those who hearing within the Foundation. Similar treat- have had internal experience of the organiza- ment was extended to anyone who supported tion, including the author, have noted the dis- her, and who likewise questioned the policies of parity between preaching and practice in a those in positions of power. Castro points out community nominally devoted to love, truth, that such censorship and aversion to criticism and spiritual growth. is typical of the cult mentality. Several cases are presented, but the most The book brings us up to 1995, with the sit- striking one is that of Kate Thomas, who first uation still unresolved, at least to the satisfac- came into contact with the Findhorn tion of the dissenters. In conclusion, I regard Foundation in 1988. She wrote an additional this as a timely publication. It provides mater- 100-page chapter for her autobiography, con- ial for a much needed investigation into the taining a detailed record of her subsequent claims and activities, not just of the Findhorn experience. Thomas entered fully into the life of Foundation, but of similar institutions in the the community, but became increasingly dis- New Age environment. Such institutions Reviews — General 87 should not be exempt from sociological analy- must become more widely available, if con- sis. But one doesn't have to be a sociologist to temporary society is to be able to make a dis- benefit from the book. Indeed, it is equally rel- tinction between that which is genuinely spir- evant to a general public in need of the sort of itual and that which only masquerades as information it provides. Such information such.

The Road Ahead by BILL GATES Viking, 1995, 286 pages, Hardback ISBN 0-670-85913-3 Review by Michael Brown 'The information highway will lead to many ^ I iie Road Ahead is intended for non-special- destinations. I've en|oyed speculating about A. ists. It contains little jargon, and is a very some of these. Doubtless I've made foolish readable account of how the information super- predictions, but I hope not too many. In any highway will develop over the next ten years. It case I'm excited to be on the journey.' is one person's view. It is the view of a technocrat He foresees a stormy time ahead for entrepre- and no such words as 'psychology', 'religion' or neurs, where many will fail, but others will suc- 'spirituality' appear in the index, although 'art' ceed beyond their dreams. does. Such omissions should not deter the mem- The historical review of developments in bers of the SMN from reading the book tor there the computer industry, perhaps unsurprising- is no doubt that the superhighway will change ly, has an American slant. The story of the our lives and that there will be social upheavals founding and growth of Microsoft is told in in the process. In case anyone doubts that the detail, and is a remarkable illustration of the superhighway will have a major impact. Gates breathtaking speed with which major develop- offers the following advice and comments: ments can take place for the computer indus- 'My advice is to try to find out as much as try, and for computer users, when a entrepre- possible about the technology that will neur sees the right perspective, as Gates touch you. The more you know about it the certainly did. less disconcerting it will seem.' The potential effects of the superhighway on 'It is important that both good and bad education, business, the home, and monetary points of the technological advances be dis- transactions are considered in detail. On bal- cussed broadly so that society as a whole ... ance, it is anticipated that the effects will be can guide its direction.' beneficial, but many new types of problem will 'I think it is a wonderful time to be alive, arise. Among these will be moral problems there have never been so many opportunities such the need to provide facilities for those to do things that were impossible before.' who are not computer literate, or who cannot Confidence in the scale of future developments afford a terminal of their own. Pricing will is illustrated by the fact the sum allocated to become a political issue, and the needs of research into Internet-related products by Bill remote communities have to be considered. Gates's company, Microsoft, for the next five Ubiquitous communications facilities will years is $500 million. reduce the need for transport and lead to major Another reason to buy the book is that any changes in urban infrastructures. Manu- money earned Bill Gates from the sales of the facturers will have direct contact with cus- book will be given to a fund used to buy com- tomers and will be able to customize their puters for educational use around the world. products much more readily. Direct delivery The timing and nature of future develop- will inake middle men redundant. To avoid ments are not readily predictable as Gates him- conflict, family members will probably need self admits: one interface with the superhighway each.