The problem with living in standardized housing structures means we are living outside of Nature's way. In Nature's Way, even within the same plant or animal, there is diversity. Standardization is a farce that serves as a mirror to our desire to control all of life. In denying Nature, we deny the Self.
In line with the philosophy of diversification in building vibrant eco and human relational systems, there are community movements such as Transition Towns that are designed to help foster healthier, more vibrant, communities. Another movement is that of intentional communities.
This latter movement is reported on in Communities Magazine. This magazine is published and edited by Laird Schaub. Laird walks his talk for he is a member of a community at Sandhill Farm, and a group process consultant. Laird introduces himself this way:
"My work in group process is rooted in 40 years of intentional community living--all with a group that makes decisions by consensus. In addition, I have been actively involved with consensus-based network organizations for 35 years. Out of that experience, I've been offering my skills as an outside facilitator and consensus trainer for the past 27 years. It is my view that there is no more intensive way to learn and practice group skills than to live in intentional community, where a person is called upon to grow in the work every day (not just after work on Tuesdays and Thursdays, or for an afternoon every other Saturday)."
Communities magazine has been the primary resource for information, stories, and ideas about intentional communities in North America--including urban co-ops, cohousing groups, ecovillages, and rural communes.
Communities magazine now also focuses on creating and enhancing community in the workplace, in nonprofit or activist organizations, and in neighborhoods, with enhanced coverage of international communities as well. The magazine, with its subtitle of Life in Cooperative Culture, explores the joys and challenges of communal living in its many dimensions.
Communities is a publication of The Fellowship for Intentional Community (FIC) which nurtures connections and cooperation among communitarians and their friends. FIC provides publications, referrals, support services, and sharing opportunities for a wide range of intentional communities, cohousing groups, ecovillages, community networks, support organizations, and people seeking a home in community.
The purposes of FIC are:
*EMBRACE THE DIVERSITY THAT EXISTS AMONG COMMUNITIES and to facilitate increased interaction between communitarians and the wider culture;
*BUILD COOPERATIVE SPIRIT WITHIN AND AMONG COMMUNITIES through shared celebrations, joint ventures, and activities that build awareness of our common humanity;
*FACILITATE EXCHANGE of information, skills, and economic support among individuals, existing intentional communities, cooperative groups, and newly forming communities;
*SERVE AS A REFERENCE SOURCE for those seeking intentional communities, conferences, and other community building experiences and practices appropriate to their needs;
*SUPPORT EDUCATION, RESEARCH, ARCHIVES, AND PUBLISHING about contemporary and historic intentional communities;
*DEMONSTRATE PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS of communities, cooperatives, and their products and services -- through seminars, catalogs, demonstration projects, gatherings, and direct sales;
*INCREASE GLOBAL AWARENESS that intentional communities are pioneers in sustainable living, personal and community transformation, and peaceful social evolution.
Topically focused issues of Communities feature articles on such things as:
(Note: You can view every article as one long page if you sign up as an Advocate Member, or higher).
