I just returned from a 3-day visit to a Christian community who live a simple lifestyle out on a farm in the countryside. There are about 30 people, mostly couples with children, and the doors are open (literally - there are no locks on the doors) for anyone to stay, anytime. I met them at the local farmers' market where they sell bread and baked goods, had a few interesting conversations with them, and decided I'd go and visit to see what it's all about. Now seemed like a good time to get away from civilization after all the madness of Christmas.
There's a lot of hostility towards Christianity today, which is to some extent justified, given the well-publicised conflict and hypocrisy that permeates orthodox religion. But these aren't your typical Christians. They're very aware, many of them having come to the community via New Age or Theosophical backgrounds, and they know all about the subversion of Christianity, the Council of Nicea, the pagan elements that have infiltrated cultural Christianity (not hard to spot - what do Christmas trees and Easter bunnies have to do with Jesus?!). They stay true to the original Christian principles, referring to Yahshua instead of Jesus, and having the Sabbath on Saturdays instead of Sundays. They think the idea that all non-believers go to hell is a dangerous and terrible perversion of Christianity, and they condemn the alliance between church and state. To many Christians, they'd be heretics. But their religion is pure and simple: overcome selfishness through love and humility, and change the world by first changing yourself.
The typical day on their farm includes an early-morning gathering for music, prayers and discussion, three meals which are eaten together, and work for the adults or school for the children (they are home-educated - I couldn't help noticing right away how well-spoken and bright the kids seemed). The men are usually in the bakery or doing maintenance work on the house, whilst the women cook and look after the children who are too young to be in school. There's always something going on, and especially with the children around, there never seems to be a dull moment.
As I said, I was only there a short time, but I feel like I've come away a bit different from when I arrived. My ego has been diminished a little bit. It's quite humbling to be around people who are so committed to purifying their minds and hearts, and so open in sharing their defects as well as their insights. They literally don't want anything from you except to love you. I don't consider myself a Christian but I was still welcomed by and felt at home in this community, and I really feel they've got something special, like they're true followers of Christ. You can't say that about many Christians these days.
Would I choose to join them? Probably not, at least not yet - though I could certainly be happy living that life. We need forward-thinking and enlightened communities like theirs to set an example and act as a safe haven outside of society, but we also need spiritual people IN society, changing things from within. That's where I see my work - on the inside. At least for the time being. But I feel I've been spiritually renewed in some small yet important way by visiting this community. It's given me fresh hope and quietened the agitation I was feeling about all the negative shit going on in the world. It's faded into the background somewhat. I hope I can preserve this state of mind into the New Year and beyond.
There's a lot of hostility towards Christianity today, which is to some extent justified, given the well-publicised conflict and hypocrisy that permeates orthodox religion. But these aren't your typical Christians. They're very aware, many of them having come to the community via New Age or Theosophical backgrounds, and they know all about the subversion of Christianity, the Council of Nicea, the pagan elements that have infiltrated cultural Christianity (not hard to spot - what do Christmas trees and Easter bunnies have to do with Jesus?!). They stay true to the original Christian principles, referring to Yahshua instead of Jesus, and having the Sabbath on Saturdays instead of Sundays. They think the idea that all non-believers go to hell is a dangerous and terrible perversion of Christianity, and they condemn the alliance between church and state. To many Christians, they'd be heretics. But their religion is pure and simple: overcome selfishness through love and humility, and change the world by first changing yourself.
The typical day on their farm includes an early-morning gathering for music, prayers and discussion, three meals which are eaten together, and work for the adults or school for the children (they are home-educated - I couldn't help noticing right away how well-spoken and bright the kids seemed). The men are usually in the bakery or doing maintenance work on the house, whilst the women cook and look after the children who are too young to be in school. There's always something going on, and especially with the children around, there never seems to be a dull moment.
As I said, I was only there a short time, but I feel like I've come away a bit different from when I arrived. My ego has been diminished a little bit. It's quite humbling to be around people who are so committed to purifying their minds and hearts, and so open in sharing their defects as well as their insights. They literally don't want anything from you except to love you. I don't consider myself a Christian but I was still welcomed by and felt at home in this community, and I really feel they've got something special, like they're true followers of Christ. You can't say that about many Christians these days.
Would I choose to join them? Probably not, at least not yet - though I could certainly be happy living that life. We need forward-thinking and enlightened communities like theirs to set an example and act as a safe haven outside of society, but we also need spiritual people IN society, changing things from within. That's where I see my work - on the inside. At least for the time being. But I feel I've been spiritually renewed in some small yet important way by visiting this community. It's given me fresh hope and quietened the agitation I was feeling about all the negative shit going on in the world. It's faded into the background somewhat. I hope I can preserve this state of mind into the New Year and beyond.
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