Iona, White Strand of the Monks by Thea Bouwman

West of Scotland lies a small archipelago: the Inner Hebrides. On one of the islands, Iona, there is an abbey originally founded by Columba in the 6th century, He set foot on land here, founded a monastic community and thus brought Christianity to Scotland. After attacks by the Vikings, the monastery on Iona (also called Hy) fell into disrepair but was rebuilt in the 19th century. Rev George MacLeod founded the Iona Community there, an ecumenical community, which is still in operation today: together they work for justice and solidarity and wholeness of creation. And .... she community is welcoming: it invites you and me to a benevolent retreat on the island.

I too travelled by plane, boat and bus via Mul Island towards Iona. As the ferry approaches the island, you can already see the abbey as a beacon waiting for you, a home after a distant journey. Once ashore, you breathe only peace and space, far away from the world, people, your work and the stress you left behind at home. This island is also called a 'thin place': an island where you feel close to God, in the middle of creation. Where you can let go of what burdens you and return home with new enthusiasm.

Walking around the island, I found this beautifully pure place: a white sandy beach with dark stone masses: volcanic rock. Shells and pebbles lie scattered on the sand and weeds and other aquatic plants colour the stones green, ochre and dark red. Barnacles and snails are scattered over the stones. Walking and daydreaming here is a gift from heaven: And once back in the abbey, when you can take your oil pastels and watercolours out of your bag and depict the impressions of that afternoon in a painting, you know that Iona is indeed a 'thin place': a golden place between heaven and earth!