I am striving to work out how I may of Service to Others, what can I DO? I have been contemplating this question for awhile now, and know it is time to begin ‘filling my lamp with oil’, as much as I can given my current level of knowledge and being.
Upon reading the Principles of the Fellowship of the Cosmic Mind, and particularly the section on Soul Communities, I have continually pondered on what ’rebuilding soul communities’ may mean from a physical, as well as spiritual/psychological sense. I know it is the soul that matters, and I have some understanding that it “who we are and what we see“ that counts. We speak much on diet, canning, breathing meditation, networking, self Work etc to prepare for the coming Wave. But what about shelter?
We all need shelter to live in - whilst we are still here in 3D. Just as we still need to eat and breath; yet by having applied knowledge (by critical thinking and examining true Science), we now have Paleo/keto diet and EE. Invariably, our homes are is filled with toxins, built by strangers with no ‘loving intention’, are supporting pathological systems such as financial institutions, big land owners and governmental bodies - planning restrictions/building regulations etc. So, what about applying knowledge to our homes / shelter; arguably the most important aspect being - protection from the elements!
This post is an attempt at reviewing our concept of ‘shelter‘, in terms of application of knowledge - and personally for me to gain more clarity in what I can DO. My ideal life and individual aim, is essentially to aspire to Live as part of a real life soul community and to contribute as much as possibly to the overall aims of our network here. I am ‘steward’ of a couple of acres in Portugal, where I have always envisioned sharing with collinear folk - if/when that would be appropriate; striving to put into practice much of what we are learning here. A recent ‘shock’ which I have shared in the Psychology section, has helped to guide me from striving to DO more, rather than contemplate.
As there is no specific mention of ‘shelter’ within the aforementioned Principles, and little on the forum, I have felt reticent in pursuing this line of thinking. But then how else can I learn if I don’t ask? I feel my current home/shelter is not ‘fit for purpose’ with stormy times ahead, even if I move it South. Although I am a qualified Architect with passion for natural building, I am currently working as a social carer, but feel increasingly drawn (no pun intended) to the design and building of simple shelters based on my current level of knowledge. If we are facing an extinction type event (as evidence suggests) as the Wave approaches, should our shelter be part of our ’preparedness’ checklist? As much as we may be undergoing genetic mutations on a cellular level, in becoming a more ‘optimal human’ for survival within this Living System, perhaps our dwellings or ‘hurricane shelters’ need ‘adapting‘ or reviewing, to be more ‘optimal‘ also? Based on Intelligent Design - not from any fear based emotional mentality. The butterfly prior to metamorphosis has a ‘cocoon’ that seems to have been designed ‘evolutionary adaptive’ for that species at that time.
At the Barcelona Conference, Laura mentioned Bryrant Shiller (author of The Origin of Life: The 5th Option) who takes an engineering approach to studying the Living System. This “concerns itself with form, the structure, pattern, organization or essential nature of anything, the outward appearance of something that distinguishes it from what it is made.” After viewing a Gaudi exhibition that weekend also, I began to think more about taking an architectural (or engineering) approach to dwelling or shelter design, as a potentially important aspect of how to ’be prepared’. My brief to myself has been basically: what type of dwelling or shelter is optimal for survival based on my current intelligence / awareness.
It is the earthbag dome.
They can be ‘earth change’ mitigating, really affordable (dirt cheap!) and because they are labour intensive are suited to group cooperation. An Iranian architect, Nader Khalili, is widely acknowledged as coming up with the concept which he calls ‘super adobe’ (sandbag and barbed wire) technology. It is patented in the US, and has passed strict Californian Building Codes for being ‘earthquake proof.’ (Personally, irrespective of design and construction details, location of any building is an extremely important consideration) The website is _www.calearth.org
“We must also prepare ourselves for the inevitable disasters. One of the best ways to shield against fire, flood, and storm may as well be with earth, water, air and fire. Nature does that itself. The equilibrium of the natural elements are the natural balancing acts among these universal elements. To build simple emergency and safe structures in our backyards, to give us maximum safety with minimum environmental impact, we must choose natural materials and, like nature itself, build with minimum materials to create maximum space, like a beehive or a sea shell. The strongest structures in nature which work in tune with gravity, friction, minimum exposure and maximum compression, are arches, domes and vault forms. And they can be easily learned and utilize the most available material on earth: Earth." - Nader Khalili
Another couple of good websites are:
_www.earthbagbuilding.com/articles/honey house
The Honey House is a 12-foot (interior) diameter corbelled earthbag dome built in 1996. The earthbag work was constructed in 19 days. The plastering was an ongoing summer project. Cost of all materials was about $1500 (US). Included in this price was professional backhoe service to dig the foundation, all reject soil delivered, bags, barbed wire, window and door forms, manufactured windows and custom-made door.
_www.earthhandsandhouses.org
I attended one of Paulina’s natural building courses a few years ago.
“The circle is seen as a symbol of reciprocity and cooperation as opposed to the pyramid which is seen as a symbol of hierarchy.”
Circle and pyramid people - Cass Glossary
I am intending to design and build a small prototype shelter, an ‘earth ark’ at the farm where I currently live in my caravan. After which I could begin to help others practically if there was a need, perhaps by offering courses or assisting small groups where they live. I live off-grid a lot, but could still contribute or share my experiences/knowledge here too.
Before I expend time, money and energy on pursuing this potential path, I would greatly appreciate some feedback.
I just want to share some thoughts Laura has expressed in her book The Noah Syndrome.
“My search for the true meaning of Love, Salvation, Faith and Eternal Life was, essentially, a search for the meaning of the Ark.
Metaphorically speaking, there is not better expression of this search than the story of Noah and the Ark. All of the quests of life and love and existence can be expressed in this story of a man, faced with the destruction of his world - and in this case, it was literally destruction of the entire world, or so the story goes - and he set about building an Ark.
Clearly, ’building an Ark’ was considered to be an aberration in this time of Noah. His behaviour was obviously looked upon askance by those around him. A syndrome is a group of signs and symptoms that collectively characterize or indicate a particular disease or abnormal condition, and I thought about this in two ways: first, the signs and symptoms of our reality that tell us that the body of the cosmos is not well; and second, the signs and symptoms of those individuals who are, in a microcosmic way, reflecting this same syndrome.
In another sense, a syndrome can also describe certain insects who, when they have achieved a certain stage of growth, begin to manifest a group of signs and symptoms that cause them to ’build a cocoon’ in which metamorphosis takes place. Those who feel that the reality is ’right’ or ’well’, will naturally think that those who believe otherwise are ’diseased’ in their minds or souls. And such ’infected’ people, who undertake to act in terms of ’building an Ark,’ whether it is spiritual or material will most definitely be seen as experiencing the syndrome of the cosmic disease in themselves. It will not be recognised that their extreme discomfort and dissatisfaction with the world, as it is, is the syndrome that precedes cocooning. Thus, the Noah Syndrome characterizes both the conditions of the planet as well as the experiences of those who ’sense’ the impending Metamorphosis.
This issue of ’clothing’ was also brought up in Matthew 24, when Jesus notes, “Let him who is in the field not turn back to get his overcoat.” John expands on this issue by talking about those who are ’naked’ and have no spiritual ’clothing.’
The question then becomes, exactly what is this process of Metamorphosis, and exactly what constitutes an Ark?” (pages 12,13)
“…while the Israelite slaves survived, due to the simple fact that the former [Egyptians] lived in grand houses of stone which collapsed on them, while the latter existed in ‘earthquake-proof’ flimsy wooden huts in a marshy area.” (page 110)
“As for those who are ‘left behind:’
“By faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that what we se was not made out of things which are visible….by faith Noah, being forewarned by God concerning events as yet there was no visible sign, took heed and diligently and reverently constructed and prepared an ark for the deliverance of his own family. By this [faith] he passed judgement and sentence on the world’s unbelief and became an heir and possessor of righteousness.”
This faith is the Noah Syndrome. (page 228)
For me, the ‘earth ark’ may be a physical symbol of knowledge application; another representation of other ‘Arks’ we are ‘reverently constructing’ on higher, spiritual levels.
Upon reading the Principles of the Fellowship of the Cosmic Mind, and particularly the section on Soul Communities, I have continually pondered on what ’rebuilding soul communities’ may mean from a physical, as well as spiritual/psychological sense. I know it is the soul that matters, and I have some understanding that it “who we are and what we see“ that counts. We speak much on diet, canning, breathing meditation, networking, self Work etc to prepare for the coming Wave. But what about shelter?
We all need shelter to live in - whilst we are still here in 3D. Just as we still need to eat and breath; yet by having applied knowledge (by critical thinking and examining true Science), we now have Paleo/keto diet and EE. Invariably, our homes are is filled with toxins, built by strangers with no ‘loving intention’, are supporting pathological systems such as financial institutions, big land owners and governmental bodies - planning restrictions/building regulations etc. So, what about applying knowledge to our homes / shelter; arguably the most important aspect being - protection from the elements!
This post is an attempt at reviewing our concept of ‘shelter‘, in terms of application of knowledge - and personally for me to gain more clarity in what I can DO. My ideal life and individual aim, is essentially to aspire to Live as part of a real life soul community and to contribute as much as possibly to the overall aims of our network here. I am ‘steward’ of a couple of acres in Portugal, where I have always envisioned sharing with collinear folk - if/when that would be appropriate; striving to put into practice much of what we are learning here. A recent ‘shock’ which I have shared in the Psychology section, has helped to guide me from striving to DO more, rather than contemplate.
As there is no specific mention of ‘shelter’ within the aforementioned Principles, and little on the forum, I have felt reticent in pursuing this line of thinking. But then how else can I learn if I don’t ask? I feel my current home/shelter is not ‘fit for purpose’ with stormy times ahead, even if I move it South. Although I am a qualified Architect with passion for natural building, I am currently working as a social carer, but feel increasingly drawn (no pun intended) to the design and building of simple shelters based on my current level of knowledge. If we are facing an extinction type event (as evidence suggests) as the Wave approaches, should our shelter be part of our ’preparedness’ checklist? As much as we may be undergoing genetic mutations on a cellular level, in becoming a more ‘optimal human’ for survival within this Living System, perhaps our dwellings or ‘hurricane shelters’ need ‘adapting‘ or reviewing, to be more ‘optimal‘ also? Based on Intelligent Design - not from any fear based emotional mentality. The butterfly prior to metamorphosis has a ‘cocoon’ that seems to have been designed ‘evolutionary adaptive’ for that species at that time.
At the Barcelona Conference, Laura mentioned Bryrant Shiller (author of The Origin of Life: The 5th Option) who takes an engineering approach to studying the Living System. This “concerns itself with form, the structure, pattern, organization or essential nature of anything, the outward appearance of something that distinguishes it from what it is made.” After viewing a Gaudi exhibition that weekend also, I began to think more about taking an architectural (or engineering) approach to dwelling or shelter design, as a potentially important aspect of how to ’be prepared’. My brief to myself has been basically: what type of dwelling or shelter is optimal for survival based on my current intelligence / awareness.
It is the earthbag dome.
They can be ‘earth change’ mitigating, really affordable (dirt cheap!) and because they are labour intensive are suited to group cooperation. An Iranian architect, Nader Khalili, is widely acknowledged as coming up with the concept which he calls ‘super adobe’ (sandbag and barbed wire) technology. It is patented in the US, and has passed strict Californian Building Codes for being ‘earthquake proof.’ (Personally, irrespective of design and construction details, location of any building is an extremely important consideration) The website is _www.calearth.org
“We must also prepare ourselves for the inevitable disasters. One of the best ways to shield against fire, flood, and storm may as well be with earth, water, air and fire. Nature does that itself. The equilibrium of the natural elements are the natural balancing acts among these universal elements. To build simple emergency and safe structures in our backyards, to give us maximum safety with minimum environmental impact, we must choose natural materials and, like nature itself, build with minimum materials to create maximum space, like a beehive or a sea shell. The strongest structures in nature which work in tune with gravity, friction, minimum exposure and maximum compression, are arches, domes and vault forms. And they can be easily learned and utilize the most available material on earth: Earth." - Nader Khalili
Another couple of good websites are:
_www.earthbagbuilding.com/articles/honey house
The Honey House is a 12-foot (interior) diameter corbelled earthbag dome built in 1996. The earthbag work was constructed in 19 days. The plastering was an ongoing summer project. Cost of all materials was about $1500 (US). Included in this price was professional backhoe service to dig the foundation, all reject soil delivered, bags, barbed wire, window and door forms, manufactured windows and custom-made door.
_www.earthhandsandhouses.org
I attended one of Paulina’s natural building courses a few years ago.
“The circle is seen as a symbol of reciprocity and cooperation as opposed to the pyramid which is seen as a symbol of hierarchy.”
Circle and pyramid people - Cass Glossary
I am intending to design and build a small prototype shelter, an ‘earth ark’ at the farm where I currently live in my caravan. After which I could begin to help others practically if there was a need, perhaps by offering courses or assisting small groups where they live. I live off-grid a lot, but could still contribute or share my experiences/knowledge here too.
Before I expend time, money and energy on pursuing this potential path, I would greatly appreciate some feedback.
I just want to share some thoughts Laura has expressed in her book The Noah Syndrome.
“My search for the true meaning of Love, Salvation, Faith and Eternal Life was, essentially, a search for the meaning of the Ark.
Metaphorically speaking, there is not better expression of this search than the story of Noah and the Ark. All of the quests of life and love and existence can be expressed in this story of a man, faced with the destruction of his world - and in this case, it was literally destruction of the entire world, or so the story goes - and he set about building an Ark.
Clearly, ’building an Ark’ was considered to be an aberration in this time of Noah. His behaviour was obviously looked upon askance by those around him. A syndrome is a group of signs and symptoms that collectively characterize or indicate a particular disease or abnormal condition, and I thought about this in two ways: first, the signs and symptoms of our reality that tell us that the body of the cosmos is not well; and second, the signs and symptoms of those individuals who are, in a microcosmic way, reflecting this same syndrome.
In another sense, a syndrome can also describe certain insects who, when they have achieved a certain stage of growth, begin to manifest a group of signs and symptoms that cause them to ’build a cocoon’ in which metamorphosis takes place. Those who feel that the reality is ’right’ or ’well’, will naturally think that those who believe otherwise are ’diseased’ in their minds or souls. And such ’infected’ people, who undertake to act in terms of ’building an Ark,’ whether it is spiritual or material will most definitely be seen as experiencing the syndrome of the cosmic disease in themselves. It will not be recognised that their extreme discomfort and dissatisfaction with the world, as it is, is the syndrome that precedes cocooning. Thus, the Noah Syndrome characterizes both the conditions of the planet as well as the experiences of those who ’sense’ the impending Metamorphosis.
This issue of ’clothing’ was also brought up in Matthew 24, when Jesus notes, “Let him who is in the field not turn back to get his overcoat.” John expands on this issue by talking about those who are ’naked’ and have no spiritual ’clothing.’
The question then becomes, exactly what is this process of Metamorphosis, and exactly what constitutes an Ark?” (pages 12,13)
“…while the Israelite slaves survived, due to the simple fact that the former [Egyptians] lived in grand houses of stone which collapsed on them, while the latter existed in ‘earthquake-proof’ flimsy wooden huts in a marshy area.” (page 110)
“As for those who are ‘left behind:’
“By faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that what we se was not made out of things which are visible….by faith Noah, being forewarned by God concerning events as yet there was no visible sign, took heed and diligently and reverently constructed and prepared an ark for the deliverance of his own family. By this [faith] he passed judgement and sentence on the world’s unbelief and became an heir and possessor of righteousness.”
This faith is the Noah Syndrome. (page 228)
For me, the ‘earth ark’ may be a physical symbol of knowledge application; another representation of other ‘Arks’ we are ‘reverently constructing’ on higher, spiritual levels.