|
The Essence of Eden
| |
| Our Vision &Purpose | |
| The following is a general statement of our plans and intentions in creating a new kind of community - Our Intentional Community. | |
| Forward | |
| There's a lot of resources
online that can tell you what an intentional community is, and what it's
not...but in no way be able to explain the "experience", without taking
you there.
We have had this vision for as long as we can remember, in one form or another. We seem to be pulled back to it when we would attempt to let it go. It was just "too big", "too involved", "too incredible". We read everything we could about "communities". There are communities the world over, each different, and each having a "glue" of underlying connection, that held it together; that made it work. There was a "common thread". Most every Intentional Community is "self-governing". It is by "consensus". This meaning that, we govern ourselves. There is no positions of power and control. Things are discussed by everyone and decided on. If even one is negatively affected by something, it's going to be modified or shelved. If one suffers, all suffer. If one triumphs, we all do. Community is "Living Cooperation". Read more about what I.C's are and aren't, as well as see many listings for various communities at:IC.ORG. "Do What You Will, Harm None"...is the only law. First, with the individual, then with the unit, or family, and then with the community...and one community begets another. Maybe expanded this should be "Learn To Do All You Can To Be Whole & Complete, & Then, Teach That". It could be thought of more like: Love, Compassion, Empathy, Forgiveness & Well Being, are returned to their proper place. We change the world by "living the change"...being examples. Not a model held up as the way to go. Not as some foundation of change. Not as a place of teaching. Not another form of intention that amounts to talk and little else. We show the example by "being ourselves in the fullest sense"...and creating out of that the place where we "feel inspired and alive" to do just that. You don't build a country or an intentional community by simply forming and then telling that "we have the best idea ever, change to be like us". We change ourselves, by taking off the chains of our own possibilities and simply "living as ourselves", One With All. Born out of that comes too many incredible possibilities to even imagine. And when others see that...they will be drawn to wanting to be like that too...themselves, in the real sense. And in being drawn, they bring with them "more incredible possibilities". We named our vision the "Essence of Eden". What is our concept of Eden? Well, we think it's of, "rebirth", "creating", "becoming". A place where we learn (perhaps - "relearn"), the essence of what nature has been teaching us all along. Everything in nature works together for the well being of all else. Nature serves itself by serving each other. Our nature then, is to serve all others. In this serving, all of our own needs are immediately fulfilled. We begin to realize that everyone is but a reflection of ourselves. When we serve others, we truly are serving ourselves. Essence Of Eden = "E-v-E" . The birth of a new beginning.
| |
| How The Idea Came To Be | |
| A Little More Detail: Eden - Part One Eden - Part Two | |
| Where & When | |
| We are underway in crafting
our Agreements & Structures of Operation. Meet Ups are already taking
place. We seek to be into a property within 180 days, the sooner the
better.
We consider a major plus in a property to be, an old retreat, summer camp, conference center, or related in nature. The property would consist of at least 100 acres and up to 1000. These numbers are average, and dependent on the properties "energy" and "possibilities". The property would have wells, springs, streams/creeks, pond[s], mostly wooded/natural, trails, rolling to slopes, or mountain like. Some could be flat and clear for gardening and greenhouses, but no low lying/swamp areas. Lodge, dining/kitchen, barn[s], storage, workshop, garage, bunk houses/dorm like structures, other housing, cabins and support structures a plus. The more rustic the better. Secluded or private properties work best, with light road frontage. Most of the land should be raw/undeveloped, of which the entire property would be managed in such a way to create a park/gardens/meditative environment. We seek donated property or owner/seller with free & clear land, as well as owner financing [is open to creative offers]. | |
| Who & How Many | |
| There will be about 100 -
150 adults, or up to about 300 people total [over a period of time] who
would live in residence at least part of the year, many year round. Others
would be visitors, as well as interns & workshop participants. Children,
the elderly, and individuals, couples, & families would be welcome. Presently we envision and plan for about a dozen residents. Healers, herbalists, musicians & artisans from communities elsewhere, or looking for a community might come and offer extended apprenticeships or classes in their craft, or share their wisdom. | |
| Community Details & Life | |
| Ongoing work/projects,
storytelling, dancing, singing, community gardens, community meals,
camp-outs, nature walks, etc... for those who live in the community
full-time.
Also, opportunities for structured and non-structured interactions between the various communities on the land. These could include "barn-raisings", community gardens, community meals, weekly meetings, etc.... There may be something of a regular casual music gathering of people playing just for the enjoyment & fun of it. Think "unplugged", relaxed, jam session[s], by the known & unknown just sharing. Not an advertised event. Our vision is to build a self sustaining environment to help promote a healthy, happy, loving, spiritual & creative community. Mind, Body & Spirit combine to make whole. | |
| Work Shops & How To's | |
| Everything we would be doing anyway would be offered as a workshop. We also would bring in other workshop teachers to cover a variety of courses. Not only would we receive free workshops ourselves, but provide needed local resources for the hands on doing [materials], and enjoy a piece of the workshop fees. This would be one income stream for the community. | |
| Retreat & Healing Center | |
| Massage, Reiki, Energy Work, Yoga, Herbal, etc... | |
| Culture & Principles | |
| |
| Facilities | |
| Cabins, Campgrounds, RV Hook Up, Yurts, Workshop, Barn, Stables, Bed-n-Breakfast, Bath House, Outdoor Kitchen, Eco-Village, Greenhouses, Co-Housing Dwellings, Garage, Office, Dining/Kitchen, Sweat Lodge, Drum Circle, ...more. | |
| Services | |
| |
| Local Communities Outreach & Connections | |
| Part of our interface with
the local outer community will be in creating & publishing a weekly free
classifieds & guide booklet, to be placed in various stores at the counter
at $1.00 each. Delivery/Sales people will create or follow routes for
delivery & placement. While having free ads called in by locals, which
promotes also their purchase of a copy, and stimulation of the economy,
local businesses can place low cost ads [businesses related to things we
do], and can perhaps barter for various business services or products as
needed.
We would also include articles about alternative, sustainable living and items related to what we do. All our own ads and announcements would be free. The local community comes to know, and trust us by this tool. This too is an income producing vehicle for us. In recycling activities we would be placing ads to pick up all unwanted material, including left over yard sale items, flea market left overs, garage and attic clean outs, remodel left overs, etc...We would also take in any drop off items, as well as salvage other things as they were found. All will be used by the community, and/or repaired and sold, and/or used for a whole new purpose, and/or given to someone in need. many items can be used in the building structures, such as cob. Part of the premises may be open to local and other visitors as a park like/relaxing place to visit. Perhaps having something of a cafe/coffee/tea shop - bookstore on the premises or located elsewhere for the community. [income stream]. We would also promote local hand made/home made crafts, products and local sustainable business people. We may create to some part of the property a monthly flea/farmers market, or related venue, renting spaces, as well as selling/trading our own products, or acquired left overs. No imported items would be sold, or new retail like items brought in. [income producing].
| |
| Community Based On/Related To [Not Limited To] | |
| Intentional Communities, Co-Housing, Eco-Villages, Retreat Centers, Campgrounds, Cabins, Bed-n-Breakfast, Alternative Energy, Perma-Culture, Organic Farming, Gardening & Greenhouses, Alternative Healing, Seed Banks, Herbal Remedies, Holistic, Environment, Sharing, Healing, Alternative Building, Green-Building, Alternative Fuels, Sustainability, Consensus, Conflict Resolution, Living Simply & Spiritual Solutions to Intentional Living. | |
| Our Intentions [Tour] | |
| Making The Vision A Reality | |
| We need People, Energy,
Prayers, Donors, Underwriters, Private Funds, Love, Pledges, Members,
Private Investors, Land/Property, Promoters, etc...
If you would like to help make our vision a reality, please visit us at:
Write us privately with your ideas, available resources, potential donations, pledges, possibilities & other contributions, to: The Eden Project
| |
