Setting Intention for Community

I am just returning from a week long yoga and healing retreat at Harbin Hot Springs Heart Consciousness Church, where I have been studying Anahatha and Standing Wave Yoga for almost 10 years. It is one of the places that I call “Home”. At Harbin, there is a strong and deep seeded intention set for the community life that you experience there. The learning of the group intention begins as soon as you come through the entrance. Lovely people greet you. Registration takes twice the time you would find at any other “resort“. The Harbin experience has already begun. Slowing down, being present, listening, loving… Guests are treated with presence and respect and are given some basic safety rules to agree to upon arrival. All guests are required to pay a monthly or annual membership, so some “ownership” is established from the start. There are tasteful, fun signs where necessary. Mostly, there is a slowing down among everyone. All greet with a loving smile and/or some conversation. The intention to create nomadic community begins to reveal itself quickly, as “strangers” treat you like an old dear friend.

All spaces have loose dress codes and volume levels. There are also many spaces that are designated “silent” or “quiet”. Many whisper wherever they go to respect those who are doing a spiritual or healing retreat.

Although Harbin is a place that encourages going inward and finding and connecting with your Source, there can also be a bit of a “fashion show”. No judgments. It’s fun. It’s a process. I dress up sometimes and don’t dress at all other times. Ishvara, the founder and President of Harbin has written a beautiful article on nudity in the quarterly newsletter. Based on my own experience, freeing myself from the layers that separate me from the elements has allowed me to feel the closest to nature and One with the Mother. Making this connection is of epic importance in this day and age, as society and technology move us further and further away from the planet that sustains our existence. Ishvara also addresses the benefits that nudity has on body image and how it helps us to all feel equal and in acceptance of others, despite our physical flaws.

I do have to mention the fashion though. It is significant. Having been to a few “tribal gatherings” this summer, I have caught a glimpse of the practical, yet sexy attire that has surfaced. Many are wearing a kind of futuristic tribal/community living, close to the Earth wear. Women are sporting boots for hiking around, short skirts, lots of bracelets, carrying baskets or wearing a wide western style leather belt with pockets. Long robes, blanket wraps, shirtless men with flowing or Capri pants are also seen among the crowd. Simple, functional and indicating that living close to the Earth is in fashion. Yay! It was good to see that a women at Dreamtime, was actually hand sewing her own sheik “calf cuffs” (corduroy bell bottom gators) made from an old pair of pants. Double Yay!

The newly erected Temple at Harbin is also in keeping with this style…or intention. A beautiful crafted extra big yurt-like circular mud structure with ceiling beams that spiral up to a point. Very earthy with a slow energy rise.

My favorite place to connect at Harbin is in the Community Kitchen. Many bring food and prep yummy clean meals to inspire all. There is plenty of space to prep and cook, yet one still comes together with someone, or several, at counters, the sink or at the dining tables. Soon your own tribe forms, meals are shared and the sharing continues on the decks, in classes and around the grounds.

In yogic terms, this success in communal and nomadic living, in my eyes, comes down to holding an intention and valuing that intention enough to maintain it as best you can.

When I come in contact with the infectious love that is spread at Harbin through smiles, hugs and evolved conversation, I want to sustain it. I do my inner work to open, to clear my resistances and to take care in my ability to be present and speak with loving, thoughtful language.

I also greatly appreciated dropping technology while at Harbin. Cell phones are not permitted and I resisted the internet café, except to coordinate connecting with my husband who was joining me later in the week. I held off as long as I could and only sent short messages. I felt energetically unplugged. My body was able to return to its natural rhythm, release all tensions and do the healing I came to do.

Maintaining intentions that we believe in and that bring us joy are the easiest to hold and bring into action in our daily lives. Some aspects of the community life I have been describing may not suit you now or ever. Being accepting and compassionate for oneself and others and honoring each individual’s personal journey is one way we can do our best to maintain an intention that serves all.

What are some of your core values that you would like your community to hold as an intention?

In yoga, we call these “yamas” or “willful restraints”. They are: non violence or gentleness, truthfulness, absence of stealing, control over sexual behavior and absence of possessiveness (Ishvara, Oneness in Living, 2002). The yamas are one framework of intention that can be maintained in a yoga community. It is thought by many spiritual practitioners and teachers that if such an intention is held, we will experience less conflict and suffering and instead experience more bliss in our lives. Our path becomes clearer when we eliminate such obstacles from our lives. When we move away from the intention of the yamas, we can experience more conflict, tension, negativity and isolation in our lives. We do not attract a healthy community, but repel those looking for more integrity, trust and ease in relationships. For example, if a coworker, friend or family member lies to, or steals from you, do these actions bring you closer or cause more separation and mistrust?

What are the intentions you would like to hold and model in your community? Try some out for a day or more. See what comes back when you practice honest, loving, thoughtful communication and gestures.

I want to take some space here to touch on the yama, absence of possessiveness. From my vantage point, I believe this is a significant yama or intention for creating community. One that many of us do not address directly. We talk a lot about “letting it go” or “releasing attachment“, but what does that really mean and how do we do it? It’s not easy , is it? But with practice, just like anything, it can become a way of life.

As an experiment, try giving away something that you have that you value or has some significance to you (e.g., money, food, an heirloom, a special altar item, a favorite piece of artwork). How does it feel to share in this way, free of attachment? Can you release it fully to another who will experience joy from your gesture. It may be such a profound gesture that it changes the receiver’s life forever. Or, it may not be well received at all. Many people do not know how to receive with grace, especially something so lovely. It may throw them off a bit and they may not know how to react at first. Can you release any expectations? How does it feel? It can be very freeing. Try it. One gesture at a time.

How many of you give spare change to the homeless you pass on the street, but question whether the money will be used for a drink? Can you give the money freely, letting the receiver make his/her best decision in the moment as to how to spend the money? Releasing control. Accepting that this person may choose a cup of coffee, a cheap bottle of wine or a little food, depending on his/her free will in the moment and leave it at that.

You can take this yama a step further and give someone in your life a bit more freedom from your control. Possibly a teen who is rebelling or a partner or employee that needs more space to grow on their own personal life path, that is different from yours. Can you release these people who you love or need to allow them to experience their bliss? Notice what happens when you do. In my experience, it has brought me closer to these people and everyone is happier in the long run. Grieving may be necessary, but on the other side of grief is love.

You can also play with the concept of envy, another form of possessiveness. The desire to possess what another possesses (e.g., good looks, fame, material items, etc.). Rather than envy those who are blessed with these gifts, try sending them appreciation and acceptance? Instead of choosing envy, nurture within yourself what they have that you desire. See how it feels to release those envious feeling and put that same amount of energy into Self. (Cope, Yoga Journal Oct. ‘06)

Please feel free to use this blog to discuss with others some simple intentions that you would like to see held in your community. Let’s use this blog to create change that we can access where ever we happen to be in the moment.

A big one for me is the intention of being present with one another. Taking time and making time to clearly and lovingly connect every day, in every way, with everyone with whom we come in contact. We are all teachers for each other. I am practicing presence in my daily life and reaping the benefits of my nomadic, moment to moment, ever changing, ever growing community here in western MA and where ever I travel.

What is it that you would like to experience within yourself in your community?

I welcome the dialogue.

Namaste. Jai Ma!

Prana
http://www.pranaheals.com