THE VISION...

so far there is a seed...
THE VISION (the potential of the seed)...

...a MONASTIC, LIFE GIVING, ECO-COMMUNITY...

let me first bring you some ideas about these 4 concepts:

MONASTIC :

• "in the world, but not of the world"... being separate yet part of...
  
• a spiritual way of living and being...
• reaching a balance between prayer, work, rest, fellowship, fun and service
• an holistic & organic vision, where everything plays its part in order to function as a whole... we can see things separately, but we cannot really separate one thing from the other...

LIFE GIVING :

• Centred in Life , The Source, The Mystery:-), God
  
• Living in gratitude to Life´s generosity and abundance
• Share with others what is given

ECO :

• In harmony with all creation... respecting, caring, nurturing... for this and coming generations

COMMUNITY :

• Being one in  mind and spirit ...
• Caring for one another and those around in the extended community...
• Inclusive, and not exclusive... respective each one´s journey...

Lets see the picture again and the different parts of it...

-- THE ROOTS... What sustains the whole vision:

PRAYER, Spiritual growth in/with The Life Source 

• A place for individual and community prayer (developing our relationship with our God, guide, master, our spiritual self, etc...)
• A place for daily & seasonal rhythms of prayer, rest, fasting, meditation and contemplation
• A place to seek Divine presence
• A place for rest & healing (body, soul and spirit)
• Enjoying our gift of Life
• A place to pray for others
• Keeping a network of people who pray for the land and community

-- THE TRUNK... What holds it :

THE CORE COMMUNITY OF LONG TERM NURTURERS :

• A place for intimate fellowship... trying our best to be clear and transparent
• A place to grow with each other and in our selves (healing & transformation)
• A place to find out more about who we are, developing our gifts and talents
• A place of Peace and Graceful acceptance of who we are and how we are
  

-- THE BRANCHES... 4 different expressions...

1. NURTURING THE LAND / EARTH CARE : living the principles of permaculture, be sustained as much as possible by the land, and help it to sustain itself...

• Natural Farming / Earth Stewardship
  
• Natural & self-sustainable buildings
• Forest Gardening
  
• Respecting the natural limits of the land and not over consuming, over populating or polluting our home.
  
• Use of natural resources for energy (sun, wind, water, etc...)
• Recycling, Reusing, Repairing...
• Crafts : wood, wool, leather, clay, metal, baskets, glass, etc...
• Transforming products (drying, dairies, flour, bread, jams, soaps, medicines, etc...)
• Respecting Rest, for the land, animals and people 

2. NURTURING PEOPLE / PEOPLE CARE

• Inclusive and accepting - Seeing each person as human and equal, irrespective of ethnicity, gender, sexuality, social class and/or spiritual beliefs.
  
• Provide hospitality, rest, healing & retreat spaces
• Provide FUN :-) for children and adults :-)
• Provide opportunities for people to serve the land and learn to live off-grid
• Helping and playing an active part in the local community
  
• Hosting workshops, seminars, camps : permaculture, natural building, spiritual retreats, healing retreats , music, dance, etc...
• Going to markets, fairs and festivals (ways to share and promote our life style)

3. SEEKING JUSTICE / FAIR SHARE

• By the way we live and how that affects others, both locally and globally
• Networking with other communities for a fair exchange of products
• Developing ways to support communities, projects or individuals in dificult circumstances : Through Education, Support and Resources.
  
• Giving part of what we produce to those in need
• Offer space & voice for organizations / associations and individuals who seek justice, both locally & globally
  

4. MULTIPLYING / BEING THE CHANGE
Every tree holds the seeds, within which is the potential of countless other trees

• Encouraging and supporting others to do the same in other places...
• Visit frequently those in pioneering stages
• Praying for more communities to start or for those who are already starting
• The goal is not to grow big, but to grow strong and steady in our values... being a model to be multiplied :-)...

Trees bear fruits with seeds, to produce the same kind of trees... but of course, there will never be 2 trees who will look exactly the same...