Chapter 1 Why Bother?

³It is not good for man to be alone.´ This is the passage in Genesis referring to the creation of Eve, a ³help meet.´ While this passage is literally speaking of the relationship between a manand a woman, I don¶t think it is too far a stretch to broaden the view. I believe that we werecreated to live in community with one another ± in villages rather than cities. Most if not allmajor religions make some reference to this. Christianity says, ³Where two or more are gatheredtogether«.´ Buddhism teaches, ³Happy is the unity of the Sangha (community).´ Judaism proclaims, ³Separate not yourself from the community.´ Islam explains, ³Believers are to oneanother like a building whose parts support one another.´ Etc., etc., etc.Early Christianity survived and grew as a community. Israel became a strong nation in large part because of the spirit of the Kibbutzim. So as many of us look towards a better world filled withdecisions based on love not hate, compassion not judgment, charity not greed, then these peopleand ideals should be supported and nurtured within community. The idea of ³ruggedindividualism´ will never bring lasting peace to our planet. ³The hand cannot say to the foot,what need have I of you?´Community creates a power base stronger than any single member. Community polishes and perfects its members like a stone polisher by constantly rubbing stones together to bring out thehidden gems. Community enables each member to have their needs met far more cheaply than asingle member could do. Community provides ongoing practice to make spiritual growth permanent within each member. Community utilizes the strengths of each individual to make amore powerful whole. Community is patient, community is kind, and is not jealous; community

does not brag and is not arrogant, does not act unbecomingly; it does not seek its own, is not provoked, does not take into account a wrong suffered, does not rejoice in unrighteousness, butrejoices with the truth; bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.I often hear the argument that communes have been tried before and they never worked. Even if true, does that mean we stop trying? But there are communities begun in the 60¶s that still existtoday. The Kibbutz, although not as strong as in the past, still exists. It can and must be done.There is an urgent cry I feel not just from myself but from many people to help them find peaceand happiness in their own lives and in their world. Community, if structured properly can be just that.So what would it look like? We¶ll look at this in more detail later, but here are a few things thatmight give it a greater chance of survival. A new economic paradigm I call Spiritual Socialism,individual space; spiritual but non-religious development; strong meditation program;community areas for socializing, playing, teaching, healing and eating; financial counseling andassistance; strong health and wellness provisions; community decision making; shared ownershipwith dues and membership fees adjusted for individuals; conscious business development programs; active external community help programs; spiritual based education programs for adults and children in home schooling environment; shared duties and responsibilities; strongsocial function planning; space for farm animals and gardens and parks; and conscious, healthyand delicious food preparation.

The following is a meditation that I have taught in the past to stretch our thinking to what our world might look like.³Close your eyes if you¶re comfortable doing so and clear your mind as much as you can. Focuson your breath. Hear it fill you and hear it leave you. Focus on your chest rising and falling witheach breath. In and out. Rising and falling. Like waves lapping against a quiet shoreline. Focusand relax. I am going to ask you to take a journey with me. Some of you may be able to actuallysee the places I will describe and some of you will only be able to hear the words and imaginethe place. Either one is OK. Just relax and listen and imagine whatever your mind allows you to.Imagine that you are the first exchange student to the planet Kyoara. You have just arrived andyou are looking around at the beautiful landscape. There are beautiful crystalline structures thatradiate vivid colors in the sunlight that seem to dance all around you. The people here look verymuch like we do except they always seem to smile as if they know some wonderful secret. Noone is in a hurry, and almost everyone who passes you stops to chat and treats you as if you werea very special person. The clothes are all very simply made, loose and flowing. But they are notall the same. As a matter of fact, each person seems to have his or her own color and pattern. Theair seems to be filled with a very faint hum that is extremely pleasant and peaceful. The smellsseem to combine light floral and earthy scents. Everything seems so vivid to the eye and soonyou realize that there are no shadows. As a matter of fact there is no sun that you can see, and