Part 1 of 7 - Introduction to the structure of their community and their aspirations to live harmoniously together
Damanhur is a collective dream transformed into reality thanks to
the creative power of positive thought. It is a laboratory for the
future, a seed that has been growing for over thirty years, constantly
transforming and renewing itself so as to bring to life the reality its
citizens together dreamed of and built. From the founders, a mere dozen
people, to the thousand living today in or near the communities, the
history of the Federation is witness to a project that has come to
life, has grown and today is reaching out with a planet-wide
commitment, as a new people bringing innovation and values,
interweaving sociality, spirituality and respect for the environment,
the recovery of ancient traditions and advanced technological research,
with its roots deep in the territory, service and voluntary work
conjoined with attention for everything happening in the world.
Esalen has always been on the edge.
Famous for its natural hot springs and stunning locale on the face of
the Pacific coastline, the institute has long been a world leader in
alternative and experiential education. Many luminaries have gathered
there to develop their revolutionary ideas, transformative spiritual
practices, and innovative art forms.
In his new book, Jeffrey
Kripal recounts the spectacular history of Esalen and its birth in the
American counterculture. Forged in the literary and mythical leanings
of the Beat Generation, inspired in the lecture halls of Stanford by
radical scholars of comparative religion, the institute was the
remarkable brainchild of Michael Murphy and Richard Price. Set against
the heady backdrop of California during the revolutionary 1960s, Esalen
recounts in fascinating detail how these two maverick thinkers sought
to fuse the spiritual revelations of the East with the scientific
revolutions of the West, or to combine the very best elements of Zen
Buddhism, Western alchemy, and Indian yoga particularly in its Tantric
forms into a decidedly utopian vision that rejected the dogmas of
conventional religion.
The Findhorn Foundation is a spiritual community, ecovillage and an
international centre for holistic education, helping to unfold a new
human consciousness and create a positive and sustainable future. Located in northern scotland, Findhorn is one of the largest spiritual ecovillage in the world, visited by thousands of students and visitors each year. This 10 minutes video clip about the spirit of Findhorn will inspire you with the new vision of the future of humanity.
