Community

"Durga Ma's Onion"

I used to think of this as my “onion” metaphor.
The term stuck, hence the name.

For several years, we have been searching for property that could include a number of different spiritual community life styles. The one unique feature of this plan is also the core of the plan. This core element is perhaps the smallest piece, with probably the fewest people, but everything else revolves around it.

The following circular diagram is for the purpose of showing how the community works, not that it is round in shape, or even that the size of a ring necessarily represents any actual size of property or populace. Concentric circles just seem to be the best way to show the relationship of the members of the community and how more conventional life styles coexist in concert with more unconventional ones, such as the core of full-time practitioners, "SKY Residents". A brief description of the rings follows this illustration.

 

The Onion

 

1 Full Time SKY Residents, the Core

SKY stands for Shaktipat Kundalini Yoga. To take this unusual practice to its fullest, solitude is needed sooner or later, sometimes for many years. This precludes distractions such as having to earn a living, deal with snakes and predators (including human ones), peacocks, traffic and other forms of noise pollution, and requires special living conditions, including appropriate dwellings, abundant water and other provisions as stated in the shastras (spiritual texts). In translating these texts for the modern western world, we feel that this can best be accomplished in a community that can be served by this labor. The Core of full time SKY residents shares its knowledge with the other rings upon request whenever possible, and is supported solely by the other rings of the community (no, we don’t live in mansions).

2 Part Time SKY Retreats

Not all SKY practitioners want to do it full time, but they often want and need to spend some time in quiet solitude. This ring is their retreat. As students of Durga Ma, they have priority access to the Core at appointed times. This part of the community is supported in part by time shares, dowries and/or lodging fees and the outer rings of the community.

3 Open Retreats

This ring provides a spiritual retreat of peace and solitude for people of any path. They may seek out contact with the Core or see SKY Retreat people by appointment. No events or activities are planned for retreats, though retreat guests may utilize the various services provided by the Interface ring (5 below). Contact with residents (4 below) should be mutually agreeable. This ring is supported in part by lodging fees and by the outer rings of the community.

4 Residences

Persons of all ages living within the community, whether retired or working within or outside the community, are represented here along with gardens, schools, community centers, etc. Residents establish their own dwellings within prescribed parameters which may include individual or communal homes. Residents are self supporting and pay dowries and/or rents which in turn help to support the inner rings.

5 Interface

This ring represents establishments such as spiritual centers, practitioners of healing arts, monasteries, churches, temples, yoga studios, various small businesses and eateries, conference centers, etc., where residents may work and where people from outside the community may come for services and products.

• • • • •

This concept was begun many years ago and failed. The saying, “One rotten apple spoils the whole bushel” applies in this instance. This experience has taught us to pay closer attention, and to screen all applicants. If you are interested in any aspect (ring) of this community, we recommend that you first fully explore these web sites to see who we are and then send us an email to let your wishes be known:

DurgaMa.com
PhoenixMetaphysicalInstitute.com
LearnEasyMeditation.com

Namaste,
Durga Ma