So be patient with the events in life that find you feeling disappointed, and remember each line we script in the Great Play we call life, is a line that is never wasted, and a line that can ultimately lead to something more beautiful than we can ever possibly imagine in the present. This is true for each one of us.
-Tim Watson
Every element of creation expresses the Creator. Within each mountain, each stone, and each heart lies the Great Spirit… When looking upon a sunset, the trees, or even your worst enemy, you are looking at the Creator. Know this and give praise and prayer.
- Gertrude Simmons Bonnin (Redbird)
The entire Creation still follows the Original Instructions of life. The Tree, the fruits, they never fail.
They never make a mistake to bring their fruits in their season.
The Animals never make a mistake.
They still live as they were created.
Among the Creation…Life, the Circle, a measurement with no beginning and no ending.
- Phillip Deere (Muskogee Creek 1977)
In a dark time, the eye begins to see.
-Theodore Roethke
What lies behind us, and what lies before us are tiny matters, compared to what lies within us.
- Ralph Waldo Emerson
The universe will reward you for taking risks on its behalf.
- Shakti Gawain
You too are a Medicine Wheel, and the magic of your Perceiving will be unfolded.
- Hyemeyohsts Storm
“I salute the light within your eyes where the whole universe dwells. For when you are at the center within you and I am at that place within me, we shall be One.”
Spoken by Chief Crazy Horse, September, 1877.
Think of yourself as an incandescent power, illuminated and perhaps forever talked to by God and his messengers.
- Brenda Ueland
In the middle of difficulty lies opportunity.
-Albert Einstein
The care of the Earth is our most ancient and most worthy, and after all our most pleasing responsibility. To cherish what remains of it and to foster its renewal is our only hope. —Wendell Berry
” A wee child toddling in a wonder world , , , I prefer to their dogma my excursions into the natural gardens where the voice of the Great Spirit is heard in the twittering of birds, the rippling of mighty waters, and the sweet breathing of flowers. If this is Paganism, then at present, at least, I am a Pagan.”
- Gertrude Simmons Bonnin (Redbird)
Living in Retirement
“When we try to pick out anything by itself, we find it hitched to everything else in the universe.” -John Muir
The New Monk Project acknowledges upcoming “boomer” generation, whereby population demographics are indicating a rapidly increase in the number of people reaching their retirement years. For countless preceding generations eldership has been revered. However, in many western cultures today, this regard is seen to have faded.
Within this context The New Monk Project believes the well-being as well as active community participation of elder generations is fundamental to our shared future, and the destiny of our planet. Because of this need, we are committed to serve and support the interests of retiring people who are about to embark upon their second half of life’s journey.
(see: www.secondjourney.org).
Members see The New Monk Project as a resource for people wanting to know more about alternatives to current institutionalized senior care modalities. Alternative communities, as we envision them include the following qualities:
* Minimal Institutionalization – an alternative to one’s lifestyle being controlled by institutionalized larger scaled health care facility policy and procedures (see: www.ncbcapitalimpact.org )
* Aging in Place – designing retirement and multi-generational communities whereby residents can look forward to living their lives without the eventuality of being displaced to intensive care facilities and nursing homes, should they become infirm.
(see: www.tlwarchitect.com/cv_project_1.html )
* Self Autonomy – residents govern the degree and nature of support and services rather than compliance with corporate and health care provider rules
* Social Participation – empowering residents to participate in their community’s social dynamics and mutual support
* (see: www.elderspirit.net)
* Continual Learning Opportunities – creating opportunities for elders to share their life stories with kids, young adults, and neighboring communities
* Volunteerism – bringing our seniors opportunities for experiencing a more inclusive sense of connection and purpose within their larger community social circles
Quarterly Alternative Community News Update
ElderSpirit Community
Status: Active since 2006; 100% occupancy with waiting list
Number of Households: 35
Address: P. O. Box 665
Abington, VA 24212
Web site: www.elderspirit.net
Description: Offers the opportunity to “age in community”; welcoming diverse spiritual paths; respect for individual needs; a common place to gather.
In an effort to serve our Retired New Monk members who are considering where they would most prefer to live, we offer a “Quarterly Alternative Community News Update”. This update offers information about new alternative community opportunities via connections using email technology. An example of present and planned alternative retirement community announcements follows.
Caravan Village
Status: planning stage (with The New Monk Project actively involved)
Number of Households: stage one: 10 + 10 more for stage two
Location: Franklinville, NC (a rural location 40 minutes from Greensboro, NC)
Design information available at www.tlwarchitect.com/cv_project_1.html ;
also see developer web site: http://www.walksoftlyontheearth.com/our-green-communities/the-living-well-community.aspx
description: offers residents affordable housing opportunity with very low monthly utility costs; sustainable site and building design through use of LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design); design based on “Eco-restorative Design” guidelines to help rejuvenate local ecosystems; multigenerational concepts; solar power electric carts for intercommunity travel; individually owned and predesigned ADA compliant dwelling units
(see: http://www.tlwarchitect.com/project_res_1.html )