Inspiration and Wisdom for Building Community

I’m currently reading the book “Beyond You and Me – Inspirations and Wisdom for Building Community” and feel inspired by the interviews with different people, closely engaged in community life and pioneers in their own way.

Dieter Duhm, co-founder of Tamera in Portugal, writes about Community as a Universal Way of Living and says, “The ability of communities to survive and be future-orientated is closely connected to the self-growth processes of the individuals involved.”

These words resonate with me as I believe the sustainability of the Findhorn Foundation, the community in northern Scotland where I live and work, is strengthened by the focus on personal growth for the benefit of both the individual and the collective.

The book also includes a chapter by Dmitry Morozov, founder of Kitezh Children’s Community in Russia, describing what inspired him to set up a spiritual community dedicated to raising orphaned children. “I felt there is nothing higher for a human being than to see himself as a part of the cosmos, to love and be loved, to do good by learning and making an effort.”

Dmitry will be attending the 2012 Holistic Centres Gathering along with two of his colleagues from the community, to share ideas and forge links with the communities and individuals who are looking for a new way of life through the transformation of the human consciousness.

Robin Alfred, Chair of the Trustees of the Findhorn Foundation, writes a chapter on Holistic Leadership and shares the three principles that form this style; the application of will, the practice of inner listening and harnessing the deep wisdom of working in ways that are derived from nature and natural systems. Robin will join the session on Education and Programming during the 2012 Gathering.

“Beyond You and Me” is a highly recommended read that focuses on the social aspects of community. It is described as a practical people care anthology for anyone seeking to rebuild existing fragmented villages and communities, establish new group enterprises and ecovillages, and heal the wounds of conflict and social division.

It is one of the four books published by Gaia Education, offering an overview of cutting-edge thinking on design for sustainability. The four titles in the series are listed below and if you’re keen to start reading, you can download the pdf straightaway!

Social Key – Beyond You and Me
Inspiration and Wisdom for Building Community
Editors: Anja Kosha Joubert and Robin Alfred

Download the Social Key – Beyond you and Me

Economic Key – Gaian Economics
Living well within planetary limits
Editors: Jonathan Dawson, Helena Norberg-Hodge and Ross Jackson

Download the Economic Key – Gaian Economics

Ecological Key – Designing Ecological Habitats
Creating a Sense of Place
Editors: Chris Mare and Max Lindegger

Download the Ecological Key – Designing Ecological Habitats

Soon to be available in book printed form

Worldview Key – The Song of the Earth
The Emerging Synthesis of the Scientific and Spiritual Worldviews
Editors: Will Keepin and Maddy Harland

To be published in the Northern Spring 2012

Download each book as a pdf and enjoy reading straightaway or order in book form printed on 100% recycled paper from www.green-shopping.co.uk