Hmmmm....well I am sure I have peeked some interest with the title of today's blog. I'm sure you are wondering what I am talking about.
Well, one of my recent explorations into the "unknown" was a visit to an "intentional community" or "IC". Using "Wikipedia" for a clear definition it is: a planned residential community designed to promote a much higher degree of social interaction than other communities. The members of an intentional community or IC typically hold a common social, political or spiritual vision. They also share responsibilities and resources. Intentional communities include cohousing, residential land trusts, ecovillages, communes, kibbutzim, ashrams, and housing cooperatives.
After having left Bethel, NY I drove to the Hudson Valley area to visit an IC for a day or two and ended up staying for four days. I will withhold any names to "protect the innocent" : ) but will tell you that not only is the concept of "intentional communities" a very attractive idea but is one that is catching on quickly as our country becomes more and more expensive to live in.
I can only speak for myself here, but I really do seek to live my life with more free time and forgo acquiring material goods (not only does one pay an initial cost for the item but generally has to pay for the upkeep on the thing especially if it is a toy of some sort). Sharing housing and living expenses with like-minded people just seems like a "no-brainer" to me.
I know that most people, when conceptualizing "intentional living" have thoughts of "Jonestown" and other religious "communes" of the 60's and 70's going thru their minds, but just as there are negatives out there, there are also positives as well. The oldest existing IC is located in Summertown, TN...."The Farm" which was formed by a group of San Francisco hippies who traveled by school buses in 1971. Although there have been many changes (positive and negative) The Farm is still functioning and providing classes/workshops and ways of living & being that are having huge positive impacts in lives of people who really desire a more centered and peaceful way of life. I have visited there and recommend others to do so as well.
The IC home I visited was a really incredible place. I am giving serious consideration to moving into one and am putting my "feelers" out to find a home situation that would be beneficial for me and those I would live with. : ) I am particularly attracted to a farm-like environment where I could learn about growing food and learning animal husbandry. Raising chickens and learning how to make yummy cheeses would be a hoot!
For those of you who want to check out some intentional communities go to http://www.ic.org/ for locations in the US as well as around the world!!!!
Have a blissful and educational day!!!
XOXOXOXXO
Emma
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2 comments:
Earlier today I was looking at cohousing sites and I am thinking about the pros and cons. The site was femquility and it striked my interest. What if all my neighbors let a female-led marriage/relationship. It would be the norm...... hmmmmmm. Growing up in a big Italian family with all Italian neighbors - now was that an intentional community? I need to research more.
I happen to think that any relationship where one has power over the other is one driven by the ego and not by the soul. The soul does not seek in dominating another...only the ego/mind does that. I think IC's are a bit more structured than say just being people who live next to each other (that is technically a neighborhood).
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