{"id":22789,"date":"2025-06-27T11:21:29","date_gmt":"2025-06-27T11:21:29","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/naturalleadership.eu\/2025\/06\/27\/terugblik-zomer-circle-gathering\/"},"modified":"2025-07-07T13:19:19","modified_gmt":"2025-07-07T13:19:19","slug":"reflection-summer-circle-gathering","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/naturalleadership.eu\/en\/2025\/06\/27\/reflection-summer-circle-gathering\/","title":{"rendered":"Reflection \u2013 Summer Circle Gathering 2025"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
\n
\n
\n
\n

Summer Connection: From Silent Walk to Primal Power<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

On June 21, 2025, our annual Summer Circle Gathering took place on the longest day of the year: the summer solstice. This time at the beautiful Fort Honswijk (UNESCO World Heritage) in Schalkwijk. The island, the fort, and the surrounding nature gave us the space to pause together. Literally and figuratively.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The day revolved around Rituals. As a way to connect with yourself, with others, and with the rhythm of the season. Various rituals that we use during our trails and programs were given a place in the program.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

\n
\"\"<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
\n
\n
\n
\"\"<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
\n

From Defending to Letting Go<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Joost Leeflang (FNL board member and chair of the community committee) welcomed the nearly 80 attendees. Marie-Christine van der Meer from Fort Honswijk told us more about the special location where we were guests. The function of Fort Honswijk was to prevent the enemy from passing over the Lekdijk and, in cooperation with Fort Everdingen on the other side of the river, to block the Lek.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Today, we let go of defending!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Update Mirjam van Gils (director FNL)<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Late summer is a good time to pause. To deepen and listen to what arises within you. For those who consciously want to make space for this in their own country, in the Dutch wilderness, FNL offers the Veluwe Quest (from September 1-3) and the Year Course Natural Leadership (starting September 18).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The FNL community is a growing and involved Natural Leadership community of over 3,000 people. As a former participant, you are automatically a Member for Life and welcome at inspiring, free events throughout the year. For your agenda: Introduction to FNL on July 9, an Autumn event on October 7, FNL walks on November 12, 14 and 15, and the Winter Circle Gathering on January 24, 2026.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

\n
\n
\n

Update Noud Duyzings (chairman FNL)<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

A lot is happening in the world. In these times, it is even more important for FNL to make an impact, to hold on to the trail feeling within ourselves and to pass it on to others. These times also call for reflection on who we are as a foundation. It gives us a lot of energy to work on that as a board.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Last week, there was an FNL meeting where we had a conversation with Herman Wijffels, one of the founders of FNL and still closely involved with our foundation. The past decades have been a period of abstraction. Of extracting value from the earth and making capital with it. This is finite. The balance between humans and nature must change. To a system in which we receive from nature. Leadership is needed for this. Here FNL, here we all, can help. What kind of leader do you want to be? How can you involve others in this?<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

\n
\"\"<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
\n
\n
\"\"<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
\n

Who are you, where do you belong, what do you go for, what do you stand for?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

June 21 is the day of the solstice. The longest day of the year with the most light. This is celebrated in many places. An ancient ritual. The relationship with nature and each other is celebrated. Life is celebrated. What do you do with life? Summer is the period in which you stand in the light. Where will you put your energy? What is still holding you back? With that question, we set out.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A silent walk through the candle-lit corridors of the fort led us to the courtyard, where Transition Troubadour Marloes Arkesteijn sang the beautiful \u2018Grond van mijn bestaan\u2019 live <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Who are you, where do you belong, what do you go for, what do you stand for
Who are you, where do you belong, what do you stand for, what do you stand on
The ground beneath your feet is the ground of your existence
The source of all life, which can give us everything
So cherish the value of your feet on the earth
And hold on to the ground of your existence<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

\n
\n
\n

Janneke Bok (facilitator and member of the Community Committee) interviewed Marloes about her path. After a long journey through Africa, Marloes decided to commit herself to a more sustainable world. Initially in an activist way, \u201cwinning souls for the green church.\u201d Later by committing herself through her work to system change. And by connecting people with each other through her music. The step to stand in the light, on stage, was a huge threshold for Marloes. Her upbringing \u201cjust act normal, that\u2019s crazy enough\u201d and experiences in the past \u201clook at her, what a show-off\u201d played a role in this. Good people around her offered her the safety to actually do it. In the end, you have to do it yourself. Stretch yourself. Step out of your comfort zone. Seek out the tension.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Marloes sang the song \u201cEye of the Hurricane.\u201d <\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

\n
\"\"<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
\n
\n
\n
\"\"<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
\n

Trust that the great system will guide you<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

We then walked in silence. With the question in the back of our minds: What is stopping you from going for what you truly care about? What do you need to let go of to stand fully in the light?<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

\n
\n
\n

We shared what wanted to be shared in a large joint circle. Many beautiful things came by:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    \n
  • Let go of wanting to be seen. Do not be led by your ego. Trust that the great system will guide you.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
      \n
    • Don\u2019t say no too much. Don\u2019t be too modest.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
        \n
      • Letting go is also about embracing. What nature gives you, but also what nature takes from you.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
          \n
        • I was long the puppet of my parents. I need to let this go.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
          \n
          \"\"<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
          \n
          \n
          \n
          \"\"<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
          \n

          If we let our light shine, we give others room to do the same<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

          Marloes sang the Dutch translation of the poem \u2018Our deepest fear\u2019 by Marianne Williamson, known from Nelson Mandela\u2019s inauguration.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

          Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate
          Our deepest fear is that we are extremely powerful.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

          It is the LIGHT, not the darkness
          That frightens us most.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

          \n
          \n
          \n
          \n

          Haka <\/strong> <\/h3>\n\n\n\n

          The Circle Gathering ended with a Haka. Time to \u2018free\u2019 ourselves! All this under the guidance of Robert Bouman. The Haka is a ceremonial dance of the Maori, the indigenous people of New Zealand. The dance is used to express emotions, tell stories, and connect. With our bodies, voices, and our \u2018being,\u2019 we brought our collective inner strength outward. An ancient ritual and an unforgettable experience!<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

          \n
          \"\"<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
          \n
          \n
          \n
          \"\"<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
          \n

          We ended with a delicious lunch.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

          Thanks to Fort Honswijk for their hospitality, to Marloes and Robert for their moving contributions, to the community committee for the organization, and to all of you for coming!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

          Fort Honswijk is open to the public from sunrise to sunset, so be sure to take a look yourself.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

          \n