The New Shangri-La

This isn't really my project. I'm involved in it, sure, but the credit for putting together the online community out of which this project is evolving belongs squarely with the mad genius Les Visible.

Things are still in the very early planning stages. Though we haven't settled on a site, yet, we're leaning towards somewhere in South America. We're still working out the details of settlement design, economics, agriculture, etc. The plan is to incorporate permaculture, sustainable design, innovative building practices and architecture that integrates residential, industrial, cultural and spiritual modalities into one seamless whole.

This isn't going to be just another survivalist commune, though it will certainly be designed with self-sufficiency in mind. It won't be just another monastic retreat, though there is an aspect of that as well. This is an attempt at building something truly new, something there maybe isn't even really a name for yet. We're not the only ones doing this: efforts along these lines are taking place all over the world, and we expect our little project will maintain ties with like-minded communities around the globe. The shared idea is straightforward: to build and showcase of a way of living that allows us to unplug from the Machine, building and living in harmony with nature ,,, to create a new habitat in which every one of our gifts is encouraged to grow to the fullest extent, like a hothouse jungle of consciousness.

There are some very talented, very serious people already involved as a small core group, but the project is certainly looking for more members. Whether you have unique and valuable skills in the building trades, permaculture design, or anything else the settlement will need ... or simply the ability and desire to play hard in an extended, collaborative creative project ... we'd love to hear from you.

You can check out the forum here:

The New Shangri-La

Yoroshiku