Dutchbuzz blog of September 2nd 2025, a 3 minute 1 second listen to. OR…read the text below:

Which booklet tells a story that only takes a few hours to read in one go, has been translated into more than 40 languages, and inspired millions of people to break away from conformity in search of a deeper purpose?

Richard Bach’s timeless parable Jonathan Livingston Seagull tells the story of a seagull who refuses to live just for survival. Instead, he dares to explore what is possible in full flight.

When it first appeared in the early 1970s, the book became an international phenomenon. Today, its message feels even more urgent: we are more than the routines that keep us alive — each of us carries a soul longing to live in freedom, authenticity, and meaning.

Over 30 years ago Jonathan Livingston Seagull was one of my first wake-up calls. I recognised myself in the young seagull who wanted to break away from the material things that seem to carry such importance in our present-day culture. Most of all, I could feel the yearning of Jonathan’s soul to explore the world beyond what we are told and instructed to do.

Learn nothing and the next world is the same as this one

I guess this gives me away as a bit of a rebel back in those days  and perhaps I still am. Rebels, however, aren’t necessarily bad news. They can bring about positive change and inspire people to explore and follow their own path.

After re-reading the book a little while ago — as it “accidentally” crossed my path again — I decided to revive my explorations into what inspired Jonathan. I would like to invite you to join me in this quest.

On the Friday evenings of September 19th and October 10th, I’ll be hosting a two-part soul writing journey at the Natural Health Centre in Scheveningen, centered around the famous seagull. With the book translated into so many languages, it will be an international gathering where everyone can either bring the book in their own language or simply themselves, and the Jonathan that lives within them to share insights on this visionary novel from their own cultural perspective.

Together, we will read passages from Jonathan Livingston Seagull, explore its themes of freedom, purpose, and flight, and engage in guided soul writing exercises. The common language will be English, yet the diversity of voices will enrich our exploration with each participant bringing a unique “wingbeat” to the shared flight.

To book your ticket for the evenings of September 19th and October 10th at the Natural Health Centre click here

I look forward to seeing you at this special seagull gathering.

Already in full flight,

Ingrid Schippers

The post Jonathan Livingston Seagull appeared first on EN Energycounseling.nl.

Will you be in The Hague during the NATO top and want to have some nice quiet introspective moments?

On the evenings of June 23, 24, 26, 27  I’ll be hosting  small circles to do some light energy exercises, a short peaceful metta meditation  and a playful moment to gain insight in whatever is going on in your life using ordinary playing cards.

Location: Central The Hague at the edge of Grote Markt  (exact location will be shared after registration)
€15 per evening
Language: English with Dutch subtitles when needed
Max. 12  participants

No experience needed — only an open heart.

➡️ Send me message using the contact form or info@energycounseling.nl and let me know which date(s) you would like to  join in and I’ll be in touch.

The post Peace Circles in The Hague appeared first on EN Energycounseling.nl.

 Our  biggest strength is to embrace our biggest weaknesses.

Soulchess, a 3  minute 22 seconds listen to.

Well here it is.I have to admit it. I’m addicted to the chess app on my phone.

Whenever I feel overwhelmed — when the world gets too loud, too close, too much, when there’s too much yet to perfectionate — I reach for the little green icon and disappear.

My chessapp is my hideout.
My digital monastery.
A safe haven from the dreads and threads of daily life.

While I’m playing though, I know deep down inside I’m avoiding..

Something I don’t want to face.
Something I should be doing.
Something inside me still unfinished, unsaid, undone.

I used to scold myself for that:
But then someone — or perhaps I should say something — made me realise:

It’s my Soul who is doing the playing
All my Ego does is move the pieces.

My Ego plays fast.
It defends the familiar, even when it hurts.
It jumps to conclusions. Reacts rather than creates.

It often assumes the worst.
and most of all fears to lose, even when winning means staying stuck.

And my Soul?
My Soul waits.
It plays the long game, without a care about the score or winning

Soul makes its silent  moves without Ego being aware….yet..

Soul watches for openings — not to attack, but to invite.

Soul is not interested in checkmate.
It’s Ego’s Soulmate.
Only there to make Ego aware what on earth it is doing….literally.  It whispers into my subconscious; nudges me into the moves I COULD be making, by making me aware I’m addicted to my chess app.

Sometimes, she lets a piece fall on purpose.
So I’ll notice what I’m clinging to.
What I’m scared to lose.
What I keep guarding, instead of releasing.

And when the board is chaos,
When I don’t know what’s mine or where to go
My soul stays calm.
She stays.
She observes.
and sets the board again.

Soulchess I found is an initiation,
a beginning to insight of who I am.

It isn’t about winning.
It’s about remembering who’s playing.

When you recognize this…
Maybe you’re at a board too.
Or at some other distraction.
Maybe you’re a serial binger.
or workaholic or a diary-filler from dawn to midnight.

If so, know this:

Your Soul is patient.
She bides her time waiting to implement her own purpose.
waiting for you to stop blitzing through your life…
So you start to create and  feel her next move. Until you get bored and delete your chess app to focus on what matters and play your two cents to make this world a better place.

So what’s your vice? What’s your Ego getting at? And what is your Soul secretly making you aware of? What really moves you? What moves did you recently make?  In our Pilgrim gatherings we talk about things like this. In the end we all walk our our path on the same earth. Find out more on the pilgrimpage. energycounseling.nl and the blog Soulchess, the difference between checkmate and soulmate.  Bring your own set of Ego and Soul and let’s play…

The post Soulchess appeared first on EN Energycounseling.nl.

Ever find yourself pulling into your driveway and wondering how you got there? Not in an existential way—just literally no memory of the last 15 minutes of driving. Congratulations: you’ve successfully completed autopilot mode. No points deducted.

Posture, Prana, Presence, a 3 minute , 6 seconds listen to…

Or how about that party, where someone is enthusiastically talking at you, you see their lips moving, probably about their new job or a juice cleanse—and you’re nodding, smiling, utterly unaware of the actual topic.
A true masterclass in social camouflage.

And then there’s the Talk. You know the one.
The Important Conversation with a friend or partner where you’re meant to really connect…
But instead, your brain is busy filing taxes, or wondering if you left the stove on, or daydreaming about a slightly better version of this exact conversation.

Being present—it’s hard.
Having your mind and body occupy the same zip code? Practically a superpower.

But here’s the twist: this isn’t your fault.
This beautifully scattered state of being? You came equipped with it.
It’s called Ego—your internal project manager.
Its job? Select, protect, overthink, and occasionally ruin a perfectly good moment with a memory from 2009.
Useful? Absolutely.
Overzealous? Constantly.

And in our era of infinite inputs and existential TikToks, Ego is pulling double shifts.
The cost? Sometimes your soul—spelled S-O-U-L, in case you forgot you had one—gets shoved backstage.

You end up:

• Driving without noticing the trees.
• Partying without seeing the person behind the personality.
• Talking without actually listening.

Posture. Prana. Presence.
It sounds like a yoga poster, but it’s actually the secret handshake for being human.
Stay grounded where you are.
Keep on breathing—not just because it keeps you alive, but because it reminds you that you are alive.
Feel your presence. Seriously. You’re right here. Try not to ghost your own moment.

So here’s the pitch:
Keep your Ego. It’s sharp. It’s efficient. It would make a killing on Wall Street.

Just… don’t let it drive all the time.
Check in. Breathe. Look around. Be in the actual now.

Wishing you a grounded and deep breathing presence in where you are nd what you’re doing right now

Ingrid

To the Body Language of Energy Pilgrim Circle Page 

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