Our trip was steeped in some powerful experiences. On our first night, after we received a deeply enriching briefing on the importance of hedgerows as ecosystems of life, and learnt to differentiate every kind of twig, we ventured out onto a night walk. No lights, no voices – silence and darkness and pure integration with the night in its natural state. It was spectacular – every sense comes alive, the stars gain a new significance as they become your only lanterns, and the Universe feels like it is buzzing with possibilities that our human noise obscures. The challenge was of course to not lose anyone – our rule was that we are responsible for the person behind us – and luckily all that ventured out ventured back in – a success of teamwork to say the least.

On the Saturday the real work began. Whilst my alarm clock did not force me out of bed in time for the morning yoga, I was certainly there for the sumptuous vegetarian breakfast, and all fuelled up ventured out into our first day of hedgerow planting. Each of us divided ourselves up between placing marker points, digging holes, planting the young hedgerow whips, sealing the holes once again and the variety of other tasks in a very organic fashion, and after an energetic morning and productive afternoon, we surprised ourselves by completing all the hedgerow planting in one day!

There was something deeply moving and spiritual about placing new life into the soil – the connection one feels with the Earth moves from receiving to giving, and a real consciousness of how one is part of the cycle of all things is awakened. Each of those hedgerows planted will become a source of nourishment and protection for many other lives – birds, insects, plants – and to have been part of creating that for other inhabitants of Earth was deeply humbling.

Upon return, our evening began with one of the most sacred experiences I have ever had – a night of singing old folk tunes, ballads, and traditional Indian verses that created the most beautiful energy as we all joined our voices together. That night we were also blessed with an incredible full moon. Following the singing, a huge bonfire was lit and huddling around its embracing warmth we each went in turn and mentioned what we were grateful for. From small things such as the forgiving weather (we had all anticipated being soaked and were greatly relieved that the weather decided to stay relatively dry) and the delicious food, to deep gratitude for the new friendships, the connection with the land, the spiritual presence – it was clear that the miracle of coming together in an intentional way to serve both each other and the Earth was felt by all of us in every detail of the trip.

The following day we did not grow complacent and returned to hedgerows planted two years before to remove the wooden pickets and check on their growth. It was beautiful to see how strong the plants had grown, how young whips planted years back were thriving. Just like a human life, the right nurture and a rich environment grows into a beautiful life that can then nurture others.

Our trip ended with a collective circle of reflection. To me and many others – one point of deep appreciation was how easily and fluidly this group of strangers had come to work together as if we had always been one. There was something so human and simple in being deeply connected to others without needing to know about their different lives and experiences and associations – just simply being together with a single purpose melted all boundaries.

‘Lifelines’ could not be a more accurate name for this trip – lives were brought together, life was planted and created, and life was celebrated. My hope for our future lies in our potential to come together in such ways – the divine reveals itself in such spaces of love, intention, community and reverence for nature.

Thank you for the wonderful leaders, hosts and friends who created that space for the divine to emerge this year!