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| intention |
Tuesday, March 10, 2009 |
What do you feel when you enter a space?
What is it about the space that gives you that feeling?
Is it the décor? Is it the arrangement of spaces to each other? Does it have something to do with beauty or lack of?
When I remember experiences of space that have been powerful in my life I see one common thread: intention.
We infuse our environment energetically by very simple and often unconscious actions: The conversation in the planning stage, the care being given during the construction phase and so on.
As a building gets used this intention can be strengthened or injured.
In my experience of cob houses I see so much love and joy, laughter and ceremony, singing and stillness. It’s no surprise that visitors want to linger.
At the Buddha Smiles’ Garden of Peace school in Tamil Nadu you experience acceptance and peace- a quality inviting us into service. These intentions are supported by the leadership there, and have strengthened over the years.
For Baobab Home in Tanzania intention for the land is just being set and will have to be put into practice and reality as we move ahead.
O.U.R. Ecovillage is an intentional community: we are moving forward all the time holding an intention of sustainable living. As visitors come and hear about our work they see the progress we’ve made as well as the direction we’re taking. Repeating the story reinforces the intention.
Next time you go out pay attention to the places you spend time in- our intention may change them.
above: setting intention before a ceremony at Garden of Peace
below: a farewell blessing for leaving participants
above: entering a courtyard in an African village house (Village Museum Dar s Salaam)
below: relationship of village houses around a square in Tanzania
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posted by Elke Cole at 10:43 am |
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| 2 comments - Add comment |
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| catherine burke said... |
Wednesday, March 17, 2010 @ 12:32 pm |
| hi elke! i love you!
so good to see you still out there sharing so much of your heart and soul and sweat with the world. your work is like an on-going prayer. we need it. much thanks. |
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| Michael said... |
Monday, March 23, 2009 @ 1:37 pm |
| Hello Elke,
Just a quick note to say hello. I am Michael Place, Terri Place's brother, and have been aware of your work for quite some time now. I find it, and you incredibly inspiring. In fact, I am trying to motivate some volunteers here to commit more money, time and effort to the Baobab property to help make the plans you've made continue to become reality. I hope to meet you in person someday..hopefully in Bagamoyo!
All the best,
Michael |
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