It is without a doubt that Denmark has something very special going on in terms of the Three Principles, and the gift that Sydney Banks has passed on to us. Currently it would seem that there are more people involved and interested in this understanding, per capita, than any other country in the world (perhaps with the exception of Greenland, and Africa is certainly on the rise now too). Whatever the case may be, magic is most definitely unfolding in a big way with our beautiful Danish cousins.
The first thing that will strike anyone visiting the 3PDK community is the depth of grounding that is widely and clearly visible, and also the warmth of deepest connection. This community is ‘One’ and there is no visible signs of hierarchy or ego, that to my mind, is completely unique to this wonderful collective of beautiful individuals. Something for the whole world to aspire to.
So the question that must be asked is, how is it that this understanding is coursing like a bushfire across the lands of Denmark? To answer this question it is first necessary to understand what type of society the extraordinary acceleration of understanding is unfolding within. In the first instance, society in Denmark can be described, without hesitation as egalitarian. It is a culture built on socialism and a society that endeavours to have an all encompassing social safety net, and does its best to prevent people falling through it.
When one lives within a community where the very heart of the system is set up to support that same individual, it is easy to appreciate just why, when the Principles are met, by any individual, not only do they have the desire to share what they have seen with everyone (this is not uncommon wherever the Principles arise) but it becomes a natural extension of the way things are done.
I was once informed that when Danes first meet a newcomer, it is with a formal handshake but on saying goodbye it invariably becomes a hug! How beautiful. I can most definitely confirm this to be true in my experience.
One of the other unique elements that helps the spread of the Principles within Danish society is its easy and ubiquitous accessibility to connection. If you are a member of the 3PDK organisation, and this is open to all and everyone, regardless of experience or aspirations, what is available to all members is a free mentor to call on and speak with. This is a priceless gift when one is first exploring the Three Principles. Additionally, each member gets a discounted price for the annual gathering that takes place each year in September, and prices for all activities are somewhere in the region of a tenth of what one would expect to pay for events in the wider Three Principles community globally. 3PDK is not only a non-profit organisation, it is also part of the amazing Danish association culture, which ensure that becoming a member of any sports or cultural club is kept to a bare minimum so that no one is left out, which is heartwarmingly socialism at its best.
The elected board for 3PDK does its best to eliminate hierarchies from taking root and that the board are always endeavouring to follow the good feeling of wisdom, and regularly enquire with members to find out what is going to best serve everyone. This natural flow approach strives to ensure a clear and fluid way forward. This is democracy at its absolute best.
When I first visited Denmark in 2023, and right up until fairly recently, there was an excellent program on offer open to everyone, in the form of a fortnightly Three Principles talk at the Myndal Fogtmann Office in Copenhagen. There were spring and autumn seasons and these were hosted by the wonderful Lars and Dorthe Mydal Fogtmann. Additionally, Lars and Dorthe always encouraged people attending, to bring a friend for free. Speakers were mostly from Denmark, but there have also been many overseas speakers. And I would imagine that each and every one of them had as beautiful an experience as I did when invited to speak.
Since these programs concluded in Copenhagen, there are now similar offerings springing up all over the Danish lands, such as Jultland, Roskilde, and Funen, so the abundance of sharing and kindness in the Danish community spreads ever outwards. Our wonderful Danish cousins have unique way of making one feel so very much at home in their company.
One huge element of the unfolding of the Principles in Denmark is most definitely Mette Louise Holland’s book ‘Dit selvhelbredende sind’ which translates into ‘Your Self-healing Mind’ (which was translated into Greenlandic, and will be available in English soon). I think without exception, countless Danes within the Three Principles community have read this book, and a certain percentage outside the community too. For many the reading of this book this was their first introduction to this understanding. If you ever have the pleasure to meet the author, you will find a beautifully dynamic and calm individual that is the living embodiment of her words and Syd’s gift to the world. What a gift.
Within the context of Denmark’s socialist history, some 170 years ago their government established the Højskole system, (folk high school) for the young adults, especially inspiring rural workers so that they had access to education outside the busy farming times of the year. The first of these schools was built in 1844. This government initiative evolved out of the profound idea that without education for all, there can be no true democracy, and that democracy must be built on a foundation of knowledge, wisdom and education. Its foundation was to ensure that education helped the individual to prepare for ‘real world challenges and personal growth, rather than being confined to academic or institutional goals’.* I think many countries could benefit greatly from such intelligent, all encompassing and actionable ideas such as this.
Someone in the Danish community came up with the scintillating idea of suggesting that it would be great to have a 3P Højskole, and so the concept was born. Now each year, in spring and autumn, a small dedicated team set up this wonderful and exceedingly fun event for about 90 participants. In fact this event is so popular that the last one sold out in 12 hours! And despite the entire event being conducted in Danish, unless there are outside speakers (which are in English), the good feeling always associated with a Three Principles event, is most definitely and totally palpable. It really is a beautiful and life enhancing experience, and the evenings are rounded off with singing (and sometimes dancing), such a warming heartfelt way to complete the day. I speak of course from personal experience, I was invited to host workshops at the spring of 2024 Højskole, and since that time they invited Chana Study, Dave Banks (Syd’s son), and in the autumn of 2025 Aaron Turner has been invited to conduct a workshop.
Having said all this, I have to confess that for me the star of the show for the spread of this understanding, is the very hospitable and grass roots 3PDK Cafe. This wonderfully novel idea is so simple, and yet so far reaching that it is at the heart of community, and let’s face it, community is the very thing we all need. Both in Nordic and Celtic culture the common traditional thread is a complex tribal structure that kept us all in ‘close cooperative harmony’, for generations. Something that is somewhat diminished in what we term ‘modern western society.’
These wonderful social events, where people come together informally to ‘break bread’, as it were, gives people the ideal opportunity to hang out and have coffee and cakes with likeminded people and to swim freely in the good feeling. What better way can there be, for those interested in staying in the conversation about the Three Principles than in a relaxed and informal environment such as this?
I have been to a few of these gatherings, and they are a lot of fun. In fact, despite currently living in the UK, I still get invited to these meet-ups in Denmark. It is funny, because each time I am in Denmark and at a social gathering, people often ask: “Oh, do you live here now?” And to be honest, given all that is going on in Denmark, I can’t think of any better place to be, if you want to swim in the good feeling, and luxuriate in the vast and growing Three Principles community, Denmark is the place to be.
My conclusion, can it be exported? That remains to be seen, but I know one thing for certain, our beautiful Danish cousins are getting it so right, they so deeply embody Mr. Sydney Banks dream of a better world and how to make that happen. Three huge cheers for Denmark.
*This is quote taken from ‘A Catalyst for Change: The History of the Folk High Schools.’ For more information or to read the full article: https://www.folkhighschool.com/history/
