If you really knew me, you would know that I’m part of a little community of three couples. The six of us invented this way of living on our four acre property partly as a way to stay out of retirement villages, partly to live in Nature, partly to afford a lifestyle that would be impossible to enjoy in the Big Smoke.
I had a further reason for wanting to live with others. I think people can evolve spiritually by sharing their victories and failures, supporting each other, refining communications, getting constructive feedback, sharing recreation, and working together. It’s harder to grow emotionally and stay mentally flexible in isolation.
This doesn’t take away from the value of meditation and other solitary spiritual practices. But, when push comes to shove in the “real” world, it’s what we can learn from each other which helps us mature into loving individuals.
There’s a saying: The snake loses its skin by rubbing against hard surfaces. Change occurs the same way. We often have to rub against something – another person, a nemesis, a rough edge of self.
(If you’d like to read about our Mitchells Island community, click here for the serialised story.)

Drastrdrsyayoh samyogah heyahetuh

The cause of pain is the association or identification of the seer (atma) with the seen (prakrti) and the remedy lies in their dissociation.*
*Light on the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali, B.K.S. Iyengar.