Cohousing-L Mailing List: Re: Breakthrough at conference? NOT

[THESHLIFE (THESHLIFE]

Cohousing doesn't in any way follow, instill, facilitate or indoctrinate any
spiritual or religious dogma.  No way, not at all, please don't, not in my
town, forget about it, don't believe anything that you hear, I'd rather stick
needles in my eyes, gag me with the largest possible spoon you can find.

What cohousing is, is opportunity.  It's community. When people have a void
and don't have a path to follow, they sometimes wonder down a path without
fully understanding where it is they are going. 

The ritual dance was one of countless experiences this person found
inspiration and power.  Your friend found empowerment from this event.  That
is great.  However, sharing his experience and procletizing his experience is
in different corners of the universe.  Community and cohousing is sharing.
 If someone starts to preach something of a spiritual nature, that is
something different.  That tells me, that there's something else going on.
 What? Only his therapist knows for sure.

Cohousing is people choosing to be with people to share, collaborate, work
together, party, question and build a better life.  Often people who start
building community together find that there is a like-mindedness between them
which brings them together even more.  But, it is ergonomic.

What do I mean by ergonomic?  I mean it just happens. Not to say it doesn't
take work, cause it does, as any relation does.  What I feel must and is left
out of community in cohousing is . . . .
No one should judge another.
No one should attempt to control another.
The expectations are, there are no expectations.
What ever that person can do, and chooses to do is what they do.
Openness of expression.  Of feelings, wants and desire.
People are what they are, no matter what you or anyone else might think.

People have the right to express themselves. But, it is you and only you who
decides what is best for you.  Do not let anyone tell you what to do, how to
feel or how to be.

When you feel that this isn't for you.  Don't hesitate for a nanosecond,
don't do it.  Explore, inquire and investigate as much as you can and as much
or a little as what you want.  No one can make you feel or do anything.

So, when you're in that situation again, my suggestion is.  State your mind.
 Walk away. Don't bow your head.  Don't follow the leader. Cause you are your
leader, no one and nothing else is.  Bottom line, forget what ever you think
you should do, follow your bliss, your desire, your heart.

Religion is the antithesis of cohousing.  You choose your direction.  Not
some misguided arcane dogma.  Religion stifles and smothers the human spirit.

*** Ramblings by Gary Shlifer - The Southernmost Cohousing Community/formally
Broward Commons.

Note:
I watched and heard for only a few moments the ritual dance.  I chose, with
my other coho members, to do something related to getting ourselves built.
 We played the timeline game with Bruce.  It was extremely productive.  We're
starting to get it built.  We have our land!!!