The European Pod has been developing over a period of many years dating back to the early 90's with courses offered by Gigi Coyle (Germany and Holland), Leon Berg (Italy, Germany and England) and Susanna Knittel (Italy, Switzerland and France).

For the past four years Gigi has initiated a series of trainings there closely associated with and sponsored by both the School of Lost Borders and the Ojai Foundation, working consistently with the network of Vision Fast Guides throughout Europe. She and Marlow Hotchkiss have offered a series of trainings in Germany for people working in the areas of health and healing, social service, business, and education. Last year Marlow gave three introductory trainings, with European apprentices, at the Eschwege Institute specifically for educators and business people and at Vlierhof, a new communications center.

In June 2008, Gigi served as mentor and facilitator for the first gathering for council leaders in Europe, which was a great success. The European Council Network will hold their second meeting on their own in 2009 and remain in close contact with our leaders and network as they develop. Also in 2009, Marlow will return to offer two more introductory trainings in Germany, and Gigi plans a course at Findhorn. An advanced training for council leaders is under consideration for 2010. At that time it may be that some of these European council leaders will be choose to and be ready to offer Ojai Foundation associated trainings on their own. Many are already using council in their personal and professional work as educators and teachers, wilderness guides, health practitioners, and business consultants.

There are currently five people in Germany who are interning with TOF council trainers, as well as Pippa Bondy, in Wales, who has been offering courses for many years throughout Europe. Last but not least, Jack Zimmerman and Gigi are updating the text of The Way of Council for a German language edition, thanks to the efforts of many friends of council there, Geseko Vonlupke, Werner Pilz and others, who arranged for a European publisher and will help with translations ; This seems a great way to support our European associates and to build this international network together.

Please contact Gigi directly for more info at: gigicoyle@earthlink.net. and Reinhard Bielefeld, reinhard@ARSeminare.de for info regarding the newly formed European Council Network.