Farm Fresh News - April 2018
- Essential Truths
- May 4-6 Awakening Heart a spiritual retreat with Dances of Universal Peace
- May 12 Discover Big Swan Headwaters Day hike and dinner
- May 18-20 The Farm Conference on Community and Sustainability
- MicroHydro in Costa Rica
Dear friends,
The journey of adventure continues. I have just returned from an amazing trip to Costa Rica, this time almost to the border of Panama. Deborah and I were had the good fortune to visit an ecolodge along the shores of Golfito Dulce, a tropical fjord. The place was only accessible by a 20 minute boat ride and completely off-the-grid, powered by a sweet micro-hydro plant, providing enough power for the entire facility, including 2 refrigerator-freezers, pumps, and all the lighting. More below.
When we first came together to form The Farm Community back in the early 70s, we said we would base our spiritual practice on the Essential Truths shared by all religions and faiths. Lately I have been a quest to clarify and identify these truths and teachings, that they may be passed on to future generations. I am creating new web site and discussion group, to serve as a way to explore different outlooks and viewpoints, a discover once again these templates for developing a life of sanity and fulfillment. I hope this might interest you as well.
As you have probably gathered through my recent newsletters, I have found the Dances of Universal peace to be one of the most rewarding paths to spiritual experience I have ever encountered. The interaction with fellow human beings opens the heart and uplifts the soul in a direct and profound way, bypassing concepts and ideas to bring about a direct experience with higher consciousness and life force energy that is undeniable. I hope you will consider joining us for my first Dance Weekend here on The Farm, Awakening Heart, a meditation in music and dance. I promise you will find it everything I say and more.
After 40+ years on this path, I am still convinced that living in community is one of the most revolutionary things you can do to create a life that is true to your ideals, and as a direct response to the mind-numbing assault on our freedom and our world. If you seek a life with meaning, one that nurtures you rather than breaks you down, and gives you greater leverage to put your energy toward what you believe and stay true to yourself, then take the next step and join us for my Conference on Community and Sustainability, May 18-20. It just might offer the push you need to change your life.
Peace,
Douglas
Douglas
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Learn about:
- An overview of why people choose life in community
- An examination of several communities around the country
- Permaculture and the Ecovillage model
- Alternative Education
- Community Business
- Midwifery
- Green Homes of all types - Over 89 KW in Solar Installations
- Sustainable Food Production
- Register NOW
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You really can grow most of the food your family needs.
With this 4 day intensive, we’ll garden every morning and you’ll get the hands-on experience and gain the confidence to get started on your own. We’ll visit other Permaculture homesteads and gardens, including Amish country. There will be a special focus on beekeeping.
Everyone will get to put on a bee suit and take a look inside the hives. Saturday afternoon we will harvest honey, spinning the frames in an extractor.
With this 4 day intensive, we’ll garden every morning and you’ll get the hands-on experience and gain the confidence to get started on your own. We’ll visit other Permaculture homesteads and gardens, including Amish country. There will be a special focus on beekeeping.
Everyone will get to put on a bee suit and take a look inside the hives. Saturday afternoon we will harvest honey, spinning the frames in an extractor.
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Off-the-Grid in Costa Rica
The Golfo Dulce (the sweet little gulf) a tropical fjord - Costa Rica has a much larger gulf further to the north
Lots of wildlife, seeing pairs and groups of Scarlet Macaws everyday.
Standing next to a massive Celba tree, estimated to be over 500 years old.
A Pelton Wheel is spun by water coming in at the bottom of the wheel. This in turn spins the generator (upper right) which produces the electricity.
The system puts out 2 KW of power 24/7.
The water falls 75 feet as it comes down the side of a mountain,1 kilometer away.
Inverters convert the AC electricity to DC for charging the backup batteries, allowing them to use in excess of 2 KW power at any given time.
The DC is then converted back to AC by a second inverter for distributing the electricity throughout the property.
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Essential Truths - The banner for my new web site under development
The symbols represented in this are:
The symbols represented in this are:
The Open Circle (faiths unknown), Hinduism Om symbol), Judaism, Shinto (Japan), Taoism, Buddhism (The 8 Fold Path), Other Known Faiths, Christianity, Islam, Sikhism, Traditional African Faiths, Native American Faiths (The 4 Directions).
This particular design or yantra was first envisioned by Yogi Satchidananda. The dot in the center of the Yantra represents the first physical expression of the very core of the cosmos. And all the rays of manifestation—shown in the rings, the petals and the colors—come out of it. The entire Yantra is then surrounded by an open border, to show that the Divine Expression is infinite and unlimited.
Let start with the basics:
Let start with the basics:
Hippie
What goes around comes around.
Baha’i Faith
Lay not on any soul a load that you would not wish to be laid upon you, and desire not for anyone the things you would not desire for yourself.
What goes around comes around.
Baha’i Faith
Lay not on any soul a load that you would not wish to be laid upon you, and desire not for anyone the things you would not desire for yourself.
Buddhism
Treat not others in ways that you yourself would find hurtful.
Treat not others in ways that you yourself would find hurtful.
Christianity
In everything, do to others as you would have them do to you; for this is the law and the prophets.
In everything, do to others as you would have them do to you; for this is the law and the prophets.
Confucianism
One word which sums up the basis of all good conduct…loving-kindness. Do not do to others what you do not want done to yourself.
One word which sums up the basis of all good conduct…loving-kindness. Do not do to others what you do not want done to yourself.
Hinduism
This is the sum of duty; do naught onto others what you would not have them do unto you.
This is the sum of duty; do naught onto others what you would not have them do unto you.
Islam
Not one of you truly believes until you wish for others what you wish for yourself.
Not one of you truly believes until you wish for others what you wish for yourself.
Jainism
One should treat all creatures in the world as one would like to be treated.
One should treat all creatures in the world as one would like to be treated.
Judaism
What is hateful to you, do not do to your neighbour. This is the entire Law; all the rest is commentary. Go and learn it.
What is hateful to you, do not do to your neighbour. This is the entire Law; all the rest is commentary. Go and learn it.
Native American Pima Proverb
Do not wrong or hate your neighbor. For it is not he who you wrong, but yourself.
Do not wrong or hate your neighbor. For it is not he who you wrong, but yourself.
Sikhism
As thou deemest thyself, so deem others.
As thou deemest thyself, so deem others.
Taoism
Regard your neighbour’s gain as your own gain and your neighbour’s loss as your own loss.
Regard your neighbour’s gain as your own gain and your neighbour’s loss as your own loss.
Yoruba (Nigeria)
One going to take a pointed stick to pinch a baby bird should first try it on himself to feel how it hurts.
One going to take a pointed stick to pinch a baby bird should first try it on himself to feel how it hurts.
Zoroastrianism
Do not do unto others whatever is injurious to yourself.
Bhagavad Gita
O Arjuna, the best type of yogi is he who feels for others, whether in grief or pleasure, even as he feels for himself.
Do not do unto others whatever is injurious to yourself.
Bhagavad Gita
O Arjuna, the best type of yogi is he who feels for others, whether in grief or pleasure, even as he feels for himself.
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May 4-6, 2018 Join us for Awakening Heart: Dances of Universal Peace
The first Dances of Universal Peace Weekend at The Farm Community
The first Dances of Universal Peace Weekend at The Farm Community
One of the refreshing things I am finding in the dances is the primary intention, to connect with essence of the here and now, beyond the concepts, teachings, or opinions.
To gain a better idea of the dance experience, check out these YouTube videos.
Visit the web site to learn more. https://www.dancesofuniversalpeace.org/
Update: I have just learned that there will be a big wedding happening the same weekend as the conference, and we are invited to the reception! This means that many of the B&B accommodations will likely fill up with friends and relatives coming in for the wedding. Make your reservations EARLY!
Set your course for the future, Life In Community! Click here to learn more... Register Now!
October 19-21, 2018 Farm Experience Weekend Fall Colors and a Fire Circle: Always a jam packed weekend. A time of reflection and introspection.
A big thanks to everyone who has become a patron of Farm Fresh!
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Take this one small step to be part of the solution!
When you become a subscriber, your contribution helps spread the word about community based alternatives.
Take this one small step to be part of the solution!
You can help keep Farm Fresh going by pledging $2, $5, or $10 a month, or by making a one time contribution.
Click here to take the survey. I look forward to hearing from you.
I hope you'll make the effort to take a firsthand look at The Farm during one of my GreenLife Retreat Weekends, and that it will inspire you to pursue your dreams and find your chosen path!
I hope you'll make the effort to take a firsthand look at The Farm during one of my GreenLife Retreat Weekends, and that it will inspire you to pursue your dreams and find your chosen path!
Speaking Engagements
At the same time, I recognize that I can reach a lot more people if I go outside the community. One of my goals is to speak at colleges and universities where I can talk to young people about Right Livelihood, Service, and Finding Sanity in an Insane World. This is a time when people need to hear an uplifting message of hope.
If you are part of an organization, event, or school (or you just want to learn more about my life's work), I invite you to visit my web site www.douglasstevenson.com, where you'll find information on my lecture topics and how to bring me to speak in your area.
Douglas
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Midwifery Workshops: www.midwiferyworkshops.org/
Swan Trust Activities & Hikes Contact: foreverwild@swantrust.org
Permaculture Apprenticeships: Learn straw, cob, earthbag, turf roofs, bamboo, thatch, clay plaster, adobe, alis, and food self-reliance at The Farm Community.
Spiral Ridge Permaculture - Workshops and Classes at a Permaculture Homestead down the road
www.awakeningbirth.org - the Web Site
www.awakening birth.net - The Podcast
Our birth resource web site for families seeking guidance on subjects such as
- Choosing a Care Provider.
- Health and Diet
- Challenges and Complications
- and much more!
- The Awakening Birth podcast is now available on iTunes or at www.awakeningbirth.net
Please spread the word to anyone in your circle who is thinking of having a baby, expecting, your favorite midwife, or care provider. Please like us and give us a good review on iTunes. It helps!
GreenLife Retreats
A division of Village Media Services
PO Box 259Summertown, TN 38483
931-964-2590 - office / cell
Douglas@villagemedia.com
www.villagemedia.com
www.greenliferetreats.com
www.douglasstevenson.com
Douglas@thefarmcommunity.com
