we are deeply committed to COMMUNAL WISDOM
As a core circle, we are deeply committed to COMMUNAL WISDOM AND SOUL WORK, drawing on the abundance available in one another, in the neighbouring communities, in Africa and in the world. We interpret wisdom through a communal lens. We have walked the conventional route and transmuted to practical wisdom drawing on a lifetime of corporate, organisational and individual experience.
MICHAEL O’BRIEN – PSYCHOSPIRITUAL MENTOR
“I have followed an ancestral song responding to these profound questions: Who am I? Where am I called to go? How do I get there? I have devoted my adult life to living the song and helping others to do the same, initially as a Dominican priest and then as a Clinical Psychologist. I am particularly drawn to Gestalt methodology, the here-and-now lived experience in the body and in our creative dream life.
I have been involved in this psychospiritual work since the early 1970s, including a stint as a lecturer in the Psychology department at UCT and the School of Architecture. I have run postgraduate training for psychologists and psychiatrists at U.C.T., Rhodes, and KZN universities. I have been actively involved in Community Health Care at local, provincial, and national levels, including chairing the Allied Health Professions Council and being a member of the Complementary and Traditional Medicine Committee of the SAHPRA (South African Health Products Registering Authority).
I am responsible for overseeing the maintenance and care of the buildings and garden of the Wisdom School. My beloved wife Vivien and I are co-founders of the McGregor Wisdom School and members of the Core Circle. I have explored in depth over many years the paradox of unity in multiplicity and the phenomenon of change or becoming. This is now the core of courses exploring the roots of the ancient African understanding of this and the links to the profound wisdom of Egypt.”
VIVIEN CLAIRE – CEREMONIAL ARTIST
“I am a ceremonial artist – with a wisdom perspective. I write and co-create ceremony for life’s transitions. I offer creative process and practices online and in person for engaging directly with the power of sacred text , symbol, poetry, myth, geometry and icons. I am a director and co-founder of the McGregor Wisdom School , and a member of the Core Circle . I partner with my husband Michael in incubating dreams that offer living symbols to illuminate ancient wisdom. Our co-dreaming shapes our creative conversations with other wisdom seekers – both here and internationally. Initiating groups to perform rites of passage – to invoke, bless, lament, and enact transfiguration drama – is my response to a call for a more universal and feminine priestly role. This call inspires and informs me.
My appreciation of ritual emerged out of ten years as a hospital chaplain in Cape Town – trained in the Clinical Pastoral Education method. My Masters thesis from Sarum College UK on inner space and spiritual symbol is the basis of my understanding of rites of passage. I have facilitated creative process in many contemplative retreats internationally – for eight years with then London-based School of the Heart organisation. I constantly apply my training with the British Focusing Association in offering soul companionship or spiritual direction. I have written poetry, liturgies and meditations in many community contexts. Most recently I published ‘Oshra’s Rite of Unmarrying’ as a personal poetic document of healing ceremony. I continue to write and offer creative resources through the ‘Return of the Black Madonna’ series of meditations.”
DAVID HART – SOUL FRIEND
“Two quotations frame my vocation. The first is from Carl Jung’s Memories, Dreams, Reflections as recorded and edited by Aniela Jafee, ‘My life is a story of the self-realisation of the unconscious’ (1963:17). The second is from John’s Gospel in which Jesus declares, ‘I came that they may have life and have it abundantly’ (10.10b).
In order that I might live consciously and abundantly, and encourage others to do the same, I have given myself firstly to the study and practice of the Swiss psychiatrist and psychoanalyst Carl Jung, and his writings in The Collected Works on Dreams and on Psychological Types; and secondly to the study of Mystical Theology, particularly of the Spanish priest and theologian Ignatius of Loyola, and to the practice of his Spiritual Exercises.
My lifelong passion and delight continues to be the accompanying of individuals and groups in our search for conscious, abundant living, a vocation that manifests within me as a soul companion (Spiritual Director), as a fellow-traveller through the Spiritual Exercises, as a Jungian orientated midwife to a person’s dream work, and in my exploration with individuals, groups and organisations of the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI), a personality inventory based on Jung’s Psychological Types.”
PADDY PAMPALLIS
INTEGRAL PRACTITIONER
“I am a perpetual learner and integrative practitioner offering a life time experience of internalising and applying human development and wisdom into pragmatic ways for #doinghumanbetter. Eternally curious, creative, seeking, and designing, I bring my pioneering spirit and founding experience to the core team. As an integral psychologist, teacher, leadership partner, and coach, and pathfinder, to this community to offer healing and consciousness practices for expanding our minds, hearts, and spirit in all spheres of life. I offer my ‘wisdom’ and my openness to support whatever arises for us as a response to life – its joy and pain. The community inspires me to stay connected and grounded and able to respond to my calling.
Essentially I am simply more of what I was always called to be in this world. A holder, and container, a map-maker and simply a mom, friend, and colleague in this wondrous planet of ours. Experienced in a range of modalities from learning, leadership, philosophy, psychology and coaching with individuals, groups, and whole organisations, this work continuously morphs and transcends into new ways of working while holding and grasping the founding essence of who we are. My signature offering is the integration of African wisdom with integral theory and practice. Integrated in this is the deep process of change and transformation, through the creative source of Big Womb, to connect to nature and who we are. The Black Madonna was in my humble custodianship for over a decade and its impact has been profound.
Human relationships: with our self, others, cultures, communities, organisations, nations, other sentient beings and the planet is a source of fascination. An activist for human rights this led me to cross cultural work, with traditional healing. Responding to the next level sensemaking I have always challenged the status quo as a teacher, psychologist, pcyho-analytical and systemic therapist, organisational dynamics specialist, civilian, becoming an eternal integral student and coach, and leader of a 21 year old organisation. My journey has been through the body of sport and dance, to poetry, mind and knowledge, to integration of heart and spirit through a longing of connecting with the soul of our humanity. This has led me to set up integrative centres for healing and learning in townships, in education and development for organisational work, assessment centres, an multi-disciplinary therapy and assessment centre. I was part of the African Leadership Forum in support of our democracy: this has continued into Integral Africa and through being part of a few SA Leadership movements. My hope is to support people at the edge of their evolutionary awareness. Chairing and leading groups, organisations, and innovation serves to keep my feet at the ground of the work I sense I have been called to do. As one of the small group of pioneers of coaching (and particularly of transformational integral coaching) into South Africa setting up formal professional bodies with the pioneering team. I entered coaching as a way to integrate learning, philosophy, psychology, spirituality, and leadership development as a wider offering to people, having liberated much of my own mindtraps, I saw a way to facilitate this – with others, for more.
Founder owner of The (Integral) Coaching Centre, Integral Africa Institute, co-founder of the Ubuntu Coaching Foundation, my university degrees have supported me to continue the journey of integrating information into knowing and now, accessing its true wisdom for practice. Faculty of Meridian University, these collaborations are brining transformational work closer and closer in to the foundations of our next evolution of consciousness. Further possible interfaces will be with the Urban Hub: Integral Mentors, and Living Cities Earth. And LeadersSA are possible.“
CIARA LOUW – PATHFINDER
“I have always been an explorer, from growing up in the South African bush to traversing the globe, inner worlds and outer realities. I am a perpetual student with degrees in architecture, environmental science, ethology, and courses in everything from financial trading to death doula-ing. My business experience includes leadership roles: as Managing Director, Creative Director, Board Member, Chief Ops Manager of an NPO; and I presently have a company offering strategy and innovation. My life experience spans climbing Kilimanjaro, Machu Picchu, the Japanese Kimono Kodo, driving up Africa and walking across Europe. My psycho-spiritual work encompasses Animal Assisted Therapy, Soul Work, Death Work and Traditional Healing. I love creative expression and have published writings and poetry. In all spheres, I am a pathfinder- through inner landscapes, societal structures, wild places, across blank pages and unchartered territories, through this world and beyond, the ways of the unseen, of dying, of living, and especially in the metaphysical realm. Wherever life leads, I wish you well on your way.”
CARIEN DE KLERK- COMMUNITY FACILITATOR
“As a community facilitator I am always interested to see how what we say, is reflected in what we do. Psycho-spiritual work can be lonely work, but I believe is best done in community. I have worked in poverty-stricken areas for many years, and in particular Afrikaans communities. The heritage of our country’s diverse cultures provides fertile soil for learning from each other and expanding our own knowing. This in turn helps us to provide space for listening to each other and to find our own healing path.
I have been working in the NGO space for more than 10 years, first as a psychologist and therapist, and later in executive management. The challenging space of social transformation in our country is part of my reality every day. I registered as a Counselling Psychologist with the HPCSA in the late nineties, when our democracy was still young, and psychology as a field still had much to learn about its role in the healing of our nation. After working in community mental health settings in Canada, the non-profit sector was a natural fit for me when we returned to South Africa. I am currently the Director of Good Hope Psychological Service, an NGO that provides therapeutic services in Stellenbosch and Paarl.”
We provide space for LIVING WISDOM TRADITIONS and COMMUNAL WISDOM in all forms
- The scientific – the interdependence of all systems
- The artistic – conceptual and natural creations
- The theological – in communion/oneness
- Indigenous African knowledge
- Collaborating with various teachers, ideas and modalities
- Linking to the local McGregor community
- Communing with saints and ancestors
Our values are reflected in our initiatives and community services.
Trust
We build open communication, reliable relationships, and honouring commitments.
Open-Heartedness
We learn to show empathy, compassion, and understanding to ourselves and others.
Curiosity
We foster a continuous learning mindset and seek new perspectives.
Trust
We build open communication, reliable relationships, and honouring commitments.
Open-Heartedness
We learn to show empathy, compassion, and understanding to ourselves and others.
Curiosity
We foster a continuous learning mindset and seek new perspectives.
Open-Mindedness
We embrace different ideas, opinions, and viewpoints.
Open-Mindedness
We embrace different ideas, opinions, and viewpoints.
Balance
We promote work-life integration, well-being, and self-care.
Inclusion
We create an environment that values diversity, equity, and the integration of different perspectives.
Balance
We promote work-life integration, well-being, and self-care.
Inclusion
We create an environment that values diversity, equity, and the integration of different perspectives.
Collaborations and partnerships
Temenos Retreat Centre
Michael and Vivien are long term active members of the local Temenos community offering reflection, guided meditations and one-to-one conversation. We also collaborate with Temenos as a poetry festival space and for creative writing workshops.
The Hip Hip Hurray Circus Project
The Wisdom School has hosted the circus project since its inception. It shares space and administration resources to support a hub of collaborating creatives offering master classes combining dance and poetry.
A Community of Healers
The Wisdom School is a hospitable space for a growing number of teachers and healers offering various forms of yoga, dance, sound healing, and Qi gong.
Sacred Music and Dance Festival
We host this annual festival that brings performers and healers in the sacred arts to the village to participate in a wide range of activities using sound and movement.
The Coaching Centre
We offer collaborative partnerships, coach training and transformational coaching.
Ubuntu Coaching Federation
We work with collaborative communities.
Magdala in McGregor
We offer a space to those seeking companionship in their search for wisdom.
The Old School McGregor Accommodation
Our accommodation partner offering a place of contemplation, creativity, inspiration, and rest.
Integral Africa
Integral Africa and The Coaching Centre offer retreats, integral leadership development, integral workshops through the McGregor Wisdom School and in the spirit of partnering we offer work of the wisdom which includes cultivating spiritual intelligence from an integral and integrative process.
Ponte D’Arte Portugal
Our creative retreat partner who welcomes students, lecturers, artists, designers, architects, ecologists, musicians, performers and other creative persons.
CENTRED AROUND THE BLACK MADONNA
The Black Madonna tradition is an almost forgotten sacred set of mysteries revealed at revered pilgrimage sites and in times of great crisis. It is fitting that The Black Madonna or Dark Virgin is reappearing in McGregor now, offering ancient wisdom for our turbulent times. She is a powerful symbol of human consciousness and deeper spirituality, bringing forth:
Divine Motherhood: nurturance and embodying qualities of love, compassion and protection.
Sacred Femininity: representing the divine feminine, qualities of strength, resilience and wisdom; reflecting the deep well of feminine spirituality.
Mystery and Depth: connected to the shadow aspects of life, representing the transformative power of darkness and the ability to navigate through challenging times.
Interconnectedness: between all beings and the unity of humanity; seen as a unifying force, transcending the boundaries of race, culture, and religion.
Healing and Miracles: devotees seek her intercession for physical, emotional, and spiritual healing.
Symbol of Diversity and Inclusion: representing the universality of the divine.
The Black Madonna painting in the meditation room is by the South African artist Larry Scully. His earlier much larger iconic version was gifted to the Regina Mundi Cathedral in Soweto in the 1980’s – a turbulent period of apartheid history.
The archetype of the divine mother as black is still there – a powerful symbol of hope and justice in South African society.
The artist’s second version depicts the divine mother and child’s cosmic radiance . The original was a gift for Michael O’Brien for his friendship, and it was kept in the family for many years. An exact replica now resides at the Mcgregor Wisdom School .
The Black Madonna painting in the meditation room is by the South African artist Larry Scully. His earlier much larger iconic version was gifted to the Regina Mundi Cathedral in Soweto in the 1980’s – a turbulent period of apartheid history.
The archetype of the divine mother as black is still there – a powerful symbol of hope and justice in South African society.
The artist’s second version depicts the divine mother and child’s cosmic radiance . The original was a gift for Michael O’Brien for his friendship, and it was kept in the family for many years. An exact replica now resides at the Mcgregor Wisdom School .
TOGETHER, WE GO DEEPER INTO THE ESSENTIAL QUESTIONS
Who am I? Where do we come from? Where are we going? How do we get there?
We are gathering what we know of the many traditions, teachings and beliefs together as a ‘school’ – a wisdom school. As a collective, we tap into a long lineage of wisdom seekers. Together, we aim to create and hold an open and welcoming space for healing wisdom.
Our heartfelt dedication to wisdom evokes a willingness to go to the edge and step off into the unknown.
True wisdom is not academic, sanitised or contained. We make room for the unorthodox, the taboo. Holding both light and dark, good and bad. Allowing for paradox, shadow, the absurd. Laughter in darkness and death in life. True wisdom is real, messy, confronting, confusing. We exist on a threshold space at the edge of the town, on the edge of the nature reserve and at the edge of human consciousness. True wisdom is immediate, embodied, accessible, and anchored in the “here and now”.
A McGregor Wisdom School blessing
May the fierce Karoo sun and wind bless us with elemental power
May the intelligence of Renosterveld scrub and bush teach us
May the presence of owl, woodpecker, hoe-poe and sunbird be our joy
May the living memory of the Khoisan help us to see what they saw
May the quiet of the kranz and graveyard remind us of all those who aid us
May the dream of Bethel bring heaven to earth in this village once again
And may the Black Madonna of McGregor be our protection, healing and peace
Blessing written by Vivien Claire