Strategy meets Serenity at The Cliff House, the coastal oasis on the island of Bornholm

Written by Sandja Brügmann, founder The Passion Institute

Three years ago, during the COVID-19 pandemic, I purchased the Cliff House nested in rock formations – thus the name – by the edge of the water on the island of Bornholm. It needed much work in terms of modernizing. Despite having no prior experience in house renovation or living in a remote location like the northern coast of Bornholm, I felt a deep soul yearning guiding me onto this journey. I never once felt afraid or uncertain, even as I embarked on a vastly different path. This intuitive knowing and enthusiasm were fueled by the feeling that the house and grounds were calling me home.

I’ve come to call this process ‘self-seeding,’ inspired by the columbine flowers that self-distribute and spread their beauty throughout Northern Scandinavia. They are aesthetically enriching beyond the senses, contribute to biodiversity, loved by bees, wild, and autonomous; they cannot be controlled and always find ways to blossom, embodying an essence that yearns for full bloom.

Self-seeding is the art of planting oneself in new contexts to promote growth and transformation.

– Sandja Brügmann, Founder The Passion Institute & Sustainable Leadership Network

The Process of Self-Seeding

Self-seeding is a proactive and deliberate process of planting oneself in a new context with the aim of challenging oneself and providing rich and fertile ground for inner transformative growth. Just as the columbine flowers propagate themselves in new contexts and thrive, I have found that transplanting ourselves into new environments can facilitate our own growth and blooming. The process of renovating and bringing the Cliff House to full bloom was a powerful catalyst for my own transformative process, allowing me to blossom in new and unexpected ways.

The renovation process presented challenges that paralleled the conscious leadership journey, requiring a strong commitment to purpose-aligned action.  I find it challenging to describe the experiences I went through internally, as these signals are beyond words, but I have decided to give it my best attempt, and perhaps with time, words will crystalize more easily. Inevitable in any transformation journey is first force (affirming), second force (resistance) and third force (reconciling). An essence directed vision is one, where you need to develop internal capacity and grow in order to realise it. The principle of ‘as within, so without’ deeply resonates with my experience, as the renovation process was a real-time, synchronous journey where inner transformation and outer physical manifestation mutually reinforced each other, embodying the hallmark of a healing and regenerative dynamic.

The healing promise of Nature, Collaboration and Tangible Work

During the renovation process, I tackled a wide range of tasks, from removing wallpaper to redesigning the kitchen, to painting and upgrading electrical and plumbing systems. Despite the hard work, I found gratification in the tangible results of a day’s work, and developed new skills, learning to appreciate the craftsmanship of various trades.

Despite the scarcity of available craftsmen on the island, I was intuitively guided to meet skilled and reliable professionals who were willing to take on my project with great enthusiasm and availability. Not only did they deliver high-quality work, but they also generously shared their knowledge and taught me new skills along the way. I enjoyed working alongside them, feeling a sense of collaboration and mutual respect. It truly felt like the project was guided by a greater force, bringing the right people and resources together at the right time to create something beautiful and meaningful.

Transformation and Emergence: The Cliff House Journey

This transformative journey required a complete unraveling of my old life and self. Nestled by the water’s edge, my Cliff House became a transformative portal, a sanctuary where I confronted my deepest self and underwent a profound metamorphosis, akin to a caterpillar’s evolution into a butterfly. As I told a colleague of the regenerative movement recently, I arrived with my hair blown back, and my mind blown open!

Immersing in nature, silence, and solitude, while engaging in body-activated work, coupled with the grounding of the property and solidity of the house, offered unparalleled clarity to observe internal dialogues, limiting beliefs, shadows and unconscious programming at yet a new level.

Transformative expansion of the self is a courageous journey that is not only personally transformative but also essential for addressing the interconnected challenges of the global metacrisis. Undergoing inner transformation, shedding conditioned programming, and connecting with Source, fosters authenticity, clear perception, healthy boundaries, external considering, intuition, eliminating negative emotions, and expanding positive energy, empowering us to advocate for justice in healthy ways without additional violence, tap into imagination and joy, and contribute to thriving communities. With immense gratitude, I share the fruits of my labor at the Cliff House, hoping to inspire and empower your own transformative journey, contributing to the healing of the global metacrisis in your unique way.

Realizing My Vision: Inviting Leaders to the Island

My vision for the Cliff House was to create a space for leadership development, culture redesign, strategic innovation, and incorporating nature-immersions into the fabric of the processes.. Several organizations have already rented the space, and I have hosted leadership networks and conducted purpose and regenerative strategy sessions here and in the surrounding picturesque and raw natural environment. These experiences have confirmed the potency of this place to inspire new insights, growth and innovation.

Please reach out to me, Sandja, at Sandja@ThePassionInstitute.com or call 42449800 if you are interested in learning more about customized program options, or to book the Cliff House: The coastal Oasis on northern Bornholm, Denmark.

 

“In stillness lives wisdom. in quiet you’ll find peace. In solitude, you’ll remember yourself.”                                                      – Robin Sharma