Our Friend Desmond Green

Desmond Green
by Andy Skadberg

Dear friends. Let me tell you a little about Desmond. Since I was introduced to him through my dear friend Yvette Dubel over 4 1/2 years ago I have never heard a single negative statement from him. I have not once heard him complain about a person, place or thing. I never heard him gripe about his living situation. I have not read a negative word that has been written or spoken about an institution or anything. Never. And I mean NEVER!

How can this be? Who is this man? The beautiful man who incessantly reminds me of the importance of the breath? I don't know how many times we have talked on Skype, he calls me like a dutiful friend, day after day. How has God blessed me with such a beautiful, powerful, patient friend as this. Day after day Desmond calls me to remind me to look at the beauty of my life, to notice the flowers, to taste the nectar of making love to a woman, to recognize the Glory of God, the One Infinite Creator.

Patiently, persistently, doggedly Desmond has been reminding of the truths that he has discovered in his full life. I think he is about 75 now. He began his life with a simple knowing, I guess, of God's love. A clarity of the abundance and richness of the glory of this world and other worlds - almost as if through the eyes and heart of a child. He credits it to loving parents, which I know helps. But Desmond just knows something that we need to know. His wife told me the name Desmond means "dweller in two worlds".

He spent many years researching psychology with some of the greatest names in the field. He specialized in child psychology. I don't know a lot more about him. He doesn't talk much about himself. I don't think he has any problems because I have never heard him speak about one - not ever.

It is clear to me he knows his mission. Of any single person in this world, Desmond knows his mission. That is to bring to the world, during this incredible time of transformation, the importance of us to know our breath. Through this knowing, and experience we will find ourselves on a red carpet. A red carpet to where? To ourselves. To our heart. To the love of God.

Some years ago, after many, many life experiences, I referred to myself as the "experience miester". This is because I have had a lot. The nature of my being, who I am, is to not let things rest. I have to investigate. I need to turn each rock over. I need to look behind the story. I am always compelled to get to the bottom of the story.

So, some 4 years ago I began to study, and look, and investigate this thing that Desmond has been constantly talking about, The Breath. And what did I find. Consistently, in every place that I have looked. In every spiritual book. In each place, where, after all of the words, and ideas, and concepts, and possibilities of something to think about, or dialog about, or pontificate upon about life as a human being has been put forward - the breath is always the grounding point. I found so much evidence that I was able to write a book with some of the more important places that I have found references. And since putting that book together I have another dozen references, or so. And these are not little, these are important like, Jesus "breathing" on the disciples when he commissioned them. And the citings have continued on.

Some time in 2008 I must have invoked, without really knowing, Jesus's prayer from the Sermon on the Mount "Ask and ye shall receive, seek and ye shall find, knock and it will be opened unto you". So I have sought, and read, and researched, and watched thousands of hours of videos on YouTube, and other informational sources looking to the answers to the big questions of life. I won't get into that here. But my point is to say, I have discovered many of the answers. Of course this always leads to more questions. But I have learned how God made something so perfect and extensive as the universe and our existence. I will write something about what I have found at a later date. But here, what I want to report, is that Desmond knows. He knows. He is aware, somehow, without conducting all of the analysis, without searching high and low, that it all comes down to our breath.

Desmond has written many books. His book of aphorisms are amazing. They are each fountains of wisdom. Short, quippy, witty statements, each if pondered upon for a day, a week, or even a year contain deep and simple wisdom that would transform how you see the world, the universe, your life. Desmond's heart and mind shares freely and openly.

And, in concert with his lovely wife Dawn, who has written her own books, have created a beautiful palette of colors to enlighten and colorize what many have come to see as a drab world. Dawn's book "The Mouse and the Magician" is a beautiful tale of the power of the mind. How perspective changes everything. What seems to be a children's story contains deep lessons for us as we have imprisoned ourselves, like the mouse, in a cage in our own mind.

But Desmond's most important book is The Practice. It is short, easy to read, and apparently simple. It is simple, but in profoundly deep and spiritual ways. Contained with those few words are the essence of what a human-being needs to put a solid foundation down in their life. To have something they can depend upon. To make a life, to re-create a life - or to discover their life. And then from their "the sky is the limit" as they say. And so much more than that.

I am like a butterfly. I have been pulled away to many experiences, many people have left my life - some through my choosing, some not. But somewhere in my heart, my intuition, something has told me to "stick with Desmond". So here I am. Telling you about my beautiful, loving friend. The only friend I have who calls me every day. And what does he say? I never know, for sure. But I do know the theme. He might begin with something to the effect "Andy, I had an epiphany, a knowing that has come into my being." And then he shares with me about the precious gift he has found, and knows is contained within the breath.

"And God breathed life into man" we have been told. And all the sacred texts, when you get to the crux of the matter will re-mind you of the breath. It will be the thing you are told to do when you do Yoga, or acting, or music, or mediation. Anytime you want to discover the source of your life, when you are needing to get grounded, you will receive guidance to relax and pay attention to your breath.

I can go on and on about what I have discovered in my spiritual research, which inadvertently always leads back to references to the breath. It always seems to be the bottom line. How did Desmond know this without doing all of this research? I asked him once "He just said he just somehow knew, at least in this incarnation".

So, today I invite you to join Desmond and I. Desmond, I can tell, as my friend - is LIVING LOVE! His words, actions and deeds are of God and the angels. I have never met another being like Desmond. And he is everyone's friend. He is patiently waiting, teaching and Sharing. Inviting us to the home he has always been. Spend some time to read his words contained in The Practice. On the surface they seem so simple. But embedded in them are great spiritual TRUTHS. The words can reach anyone, which is what we have to do now.

If you, like I, are working to save the world, then we have to be able to reach every heart and mind. Our words and concepts must be simple. They must sink into the mind of even the most wretched, the most pained, or the richest. And they must lead to action. That action, simply, is to begin to appreciate their breath. To notice, and play with the idea that the breath is our living, pulsating, gift from God that gives all life, life. That truly the Spirit that has manifested and created and sustains this incredibly diverse, extensive and beautiful creation - does so with the movement of the breath. The "Yin and Yang" the "In and Out" movement of invisible force that allows us to do all of this stuff in this world, and in all other realms - at least as Desmond knows.

Please join me in our journey to Share this Love with everyone. It is already here. Help us Share it with others. To remind them. To help them get in touch with their own life force and be grateful for it. To learn a basic, non-dogmatic, set of skills to empower them to begin to make the life of their dreams. And together we will learn that we have great power to make that world a reality, and much, much sooner, than later.

Thank you Desmond for Your Love and Patience. And thank you for being my friend. God Bless You.

I have a Vision

I have a Vision of a new reality. One where people choose their path for realizing their own dreams, the true fulfillment of the desires of the love in their hearts placed there by the One Infinite Creator.

Non-resistance is the means by which this will be created. People simply do what they want to do, without focusing on that which might oppose or prevent them from accomplishing their aims. If their actions are guided by the principle of Reverence for Life (Albert Schweitzer), Service to Others (as opposed to service to self - as presented in the Law of One Series from Ra), and the Golden Way, "And as ye would that men should do to you, do ye also to them likewise" (Luke 6:31), and opposition arises, it will be overcome by non-resistance as stated by Lao Tsu "The submissive and weak will overcome the hard and strong." (full passage below 1), or even active acquiescence as taught by Jesus, "But I tell you, Do not resist an evil person. If someone strikes you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also" Matthew 5:39.

So many messages through innumerable sources have presented this approach such as ancient teachings to modern day movies such as The Matrix or Star Wars. One wins simply through surrender, or letting go. This is the ultimate act of faith, or trust where a person puts their state of being in the hands of the One Infinite Creator, God or All That Is. A simple act of stopping resisting and yielding to the progressive or "dominant" force sets up nature to do her thing - re-create. In other words, allow love to do its most natural act to bring forth new "When the uncarved block shatters it becomes vessels, The sage make use of these and becomes the lord over officials." (Lau Tsu, full quote below 2).

"Evil", or the progressive force always speaks loudly, and claims that evil, or the devil is at work. Its primary tool, or motivator is fear. This is an ironic circumstance to observe in this world. Those most claiming the religious "high ground" are the agents of their own demise. Evil consumes itself, eventually. Love patiently waits knowing that storms always subside, resting in "this too shall pass". Always after threats of destruction and death, strong wind and billowing sails will be the peace, and calm seas, the eternal calm, the peace that reside within "All That Is" - that which does all, and yet nothing to obtain "I have not work to do in all the worlds, Arjuna - for these worlds are mine. I have nothing to obtain, because I have all. And yet I work" (Bhagavad Gita. 3:22).

When one situates oneself in a state of knowing and surrender, they need not question. Following Ones heart, which resides within, just doing the best that you can, even at your current station in life, prepared to "let go" and not fight, following honest intent to do Love's beckoning cannot fail. This will reveal itself as the True path of salvation.

There are no enemies that can defeat God, Source, Love - because there are no enemies. All That Is is One Love, the One Infinite Creator watching the "wheels go round' and round" through your eyes.

Residing in the Now, the Present, the only true place of power, a person can come to experience and know truly how powerful they are, and following the Vision placed in their heart, in love, they will observe the manifestation of One Divine Harmonic Symphonic Orchestration that has been in the Mind and Heart of the One Infinite Creator for Eternity. And You are part of it.

"Believest thou not that I am in the Father, and the Father in me? the words that I speak unto you I speak not of myself: but the Father that dwelleth in me, he doeth the works." John 14:10 KJV
"Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father." John 14:12, KJV
"The Lord of the world is beyond the works of the world and their working, and beyond the results of these works; but the work of Nature rolls on." Bhagavad Gita 5: 14
"This body, Arjuna, is called the field. He who knows this is called the knower of the field. 13:2 Know that I am the knower in all fields of my creation: and that the wisdom which sees the field and the knower of the of the field is true wisdom. Bhagavad Gita 13: 1

One need not lament, worry or decry day to day observances. Just rest when confronted with the dancing shadows on the wall, in one conscious deep breath at a time, if needed, knowing that you too, are an important, beautiful living tapestry designed, managed, supported, sustained, guided and created by Divine Love.

Full verse as cited above.
1. XXXVI - Lao Tsu, Tao Te Ching, translated by D.C. Lau

If you have a thing shrink,
You must first stretch it;
If you would have a thing weakened,
You must first strengthen it;
If you would have a thing laid aside,
You must first set it up'
If you take from a thing,
You must first give to it.
This is called subtle discernment:
The submissive and weak will overcome the hard and strong.
The fist must not be allowed to leave the deep;
The instruments of power in a state must not be revealed to anyone.

2. XXVIII - Lao Tsu, Tao Te Ching, translated by D.C. Lau

Know the male
But keep to the role of the female
And be a ravine to the empire.
If you are a ravine to the empire,
Then the constant virtue will not desert you
And you will again return to being a babe.
Know the wite
But keep to the role of the black
And be a model to the empire.
If you are a model to the empire,
Then the constant virtue will not be wanting
And you will return to the infinite.
Know honor
But keep to the role of the disgraced
And be a valley to the empire.
If you are a valley to the empire,
Then the constant virture will be sufficient
And you will return to being the uncarved block.
When the uncarved block shatters it becomes vessels. The sage make use of these and becomes the lord over officials.
Hence the greatest cutting
Does not sever.

Solution

Today marks the opportunity for us to implement a solution. That solution is very simple. Find yourself, embrace that essence. Key in on the center of your being knowing that that spark, that life, that force is what keeps the 30 trillion (estimated) cells of your body, which are really like small galaxies, moving. This "polaris star", as described in the Law of One series is your, personal, endowment from God. It is yours to do with what you want. The question is, what are you doing with it?

After you answer that question, which may not be as simple as you think, then you will begin to create the world of your dreams. That is, if you have knowledge of what your dreams are. Most people have not had the courage to examine what their true dreams are much less to pursue them.

I have been learning some very interesting things about each of our individual powers. Imagine given a spark of the Infinite. I'm not talking about a piece, that is some sub-set of something, but a holographic representation of the character, capacity, an aspect of the Infinite Mind, God. This is what is meant by the Bible quote, "in the image and likeness of God", or when Jesus said "it is the father that works through me".

So, now, imagine, you have the power of God at your disposal, what are you going to do with it?

Whatever you focus your mental attention on is what you are creating, supporting to exist.

If you want things to stay the same, if you want to repeat the same experiences over and over again (whether individual or collective), focus on your past, read about history, pay attention to what happened yesterday, or in your distant past - oh yes, it also helps to be very emotional about it.

If you want to have war, famine, disease, suffering and many of the conditions that we have created in the world, watch the news every day, and be angry at all of the injustices and suffering. Pay close attention to the politicians, stories about the bankers and evil corporations and all the things wrong in the world.

If, on the other hand, you want to experience something different, start to notice where your attention is going. On any given day, hour, or minute try to notice where your thoughts and emotional energies are going. Each of those thoughts are being created, fueled and sustained by the Infinite Mind. Because You, as we all are, a channel for that same power.

So, what is the solution, it's pretty simple - focus your thoughts and attention on the solution. Is this easy? - it could be, but in most of our cases it is a very arduous, and dedicated process. The question is though, what do you really want? What did you come here to create? What legacy do you want to leave behind? Do you want to make the most of this incredible experience that you came here to participate in? It truly is up to you.

Love, Peace and Abundance,

Andy

It's All Around

A friend posted a nice sentiment at Facebook, which inspired my response.

"Remember every day to do things that make your soul chuckle in JOY. Listen to the song of the wind in the trees. Hold a cat to your face. Listen to children laughing. Enjoy a beautiful sunset. Hold hands with a LOVED ONE. Dance to great music. Sing in the shower. Feel gods hand in the wind caressing your cheek. Feel gratitude for all the miracles of LIFE you experience every moment of NOW"~Bent Kim Lundberg

My response - Its all around, love abounds, astounds, rebounds and will always carry us away on gossamer wings if we allow. Joy presses, caresses, addresses and redresses if we simply observe that which motivates, captivates and exhilarates. Love, the Breath, Life invites us to play, to remember how we once enjoyed, as children, All That Is without all the measuring, worrying and judging. Just play along, and soon all hearts will be rejoicing in ONE LOVE. Thank You, Bent for constantly re-minding us to simply enjoy the sensual, loving feast that abounds all experience, if, we are giving a little attention. Peace, Love and Abundance.

Andy's first interview - Voice of the People Radio

Spur of the moment I was invited to do a radio program the other day. It was spontaneous, but I Shared openly, which is all that I can do. I've decided to quit hiding. In this interview I Share some of the stuff going on with my work, but also some past experiences and my personal Vision and insights to the human, spiritual transformation that is taking place in our world.

Voice of the People Radio Guest - Dr. Andrew Skadberg Reverence for Life University

Here are some links mentioned in the program, and other links that may be of interest.

Working Hearts of the Quad Cities
Waterkeeper of the Quad Cities

Self Management Institute and Reverence for Life University - with Desmond Green

Here you can download my books, and some other powerful books for Free. Rural Innovation Institute, library

Here is what I call my "Vision" book, entitled "Vision, We ARE Re-Creating the World a Resource Manual "Tool-box" for Re-vitalization and Empowerment Through Grass-roots Strategies and Environmental Awareness".

Here are the blog posts, and poems that were read in the interview.

Do Good
Your Promise
Compassion

Finally, the core of my approaches, in as few a words a possible - the Regional Revitalization and Empowerment Strategy, adapted to Colombia, S.A.

Love Transcends, my most powerful half-channeled writing.

Thank You!

Eye Am Sharing

Eye Am Sharing

- Love Transcends

- "The Breath" is the Key, (Conscious Deep Breathing) The Practice (free Global Citizenship Passport)

- Intuition (the best book on this is "Living in the Light: a Guide to Personal and Planetary Transformation" by Shakti Gawain

- Actions guided by the Golden Law

- The Process of Creation, how it occurs, how Spirit creates (this is your life, whether you can see it or not). This little video provides insights and awareness of how life, as we know it came to be. You are consciousness. Consciousness creates in this way. The experiences that you have are related to the ideas, beliefs and experiences that you take with you as you move into new spaces and places.

- Freeing oneself from the challenges typically associated with money. Here is a very nice 8 minute meditation "Reconnecting with the Spirit of Money".

We are experiencers/creators.

You should ask yourSelf the question, "What do you really want?". and this is not your little self, but your true Self,

When you find "this key", the love in your heart, via the Breath, then you must find others to share the experience with. Assist them to find the treasure locked in their heart (kind of like a reverse "Pandora's Box).

Like this song, about life "Went to a Garden Party", every moment is a new moment to share. If we learn to follow our intuition, we will learn that when we "please ourSelf", our higher intuitive Self, to follow its guidance, we become part of the Divine, Harmonic symphonic orchestration, because Love is Guiding us. Whether we are aware or not.

Finally, to catalyze this process, I feel that Gaia, the Spirit of Mother Earth is pouring Love onto us in ways that we cannot imagine. So, connecting with this beautiful, sustaining Spirit will assist us to arrive at our desired, dreamed of destination, but the point is to enjoy the journey, moment to moment. Gaia's Message to Me

To find the peace within you, go within, and learn the truth of who you are. Peace Making

Compassion

Joy effervesces
from deep in my being,
as if from the atoms themselves.
The nature of my true life,
expressing itself,
untangling beliefs and ideas.
The light at an energetic level,
spiraling up, releasing, revealing,
silly perceptions introduced
into consciousness for a play.
An unread demonstration of possibility,
as thought ingrains alternatives
of things that just might be.
The ropes and chains of past prisons
cannot any more impede
the nature of life, the stuff we're made,
has as its purpose love.
But all is allowed its own expression,
the totality is endowed,
the possibilities are endless
the limits aren't defined.
Now my heart relinquishes
old patterns not endowed.
These old ideas just don't fit
my choice is one of joy,
and the idea to trust the process
is all that is required.
No worries, no pain, no fear.
For that which sustains,
is and always was,
giving me permission
to express what I see best.
The only issue was contradictions,
mis-understandings of what is.
But now emerging deep within me
the incredibly open mind,
the heart that has always compelled
no longer do I have to find
for it was always in me,
and it was never lost.
But now I realize the real truth,
that it is the heart of the One.

Trail Blazing - a Prayer

This body, this flesh is not who I am. I know this now without a doubt. This mystery is far to grand, so immersive to be the shallow model that has been presented so conveniently through science and religion. What a humorous thing to observe. The descriptions of everything in words, theories, ideas which represent only one tiny part of even a moment in this grand experience called life. I am not afraid anymore. Now, as I become conscious of the various aspects of truth, of course not even a sliver, but something nonetheless, I can see, feel, sense and know the beauty and simplicity. All is based on love. And anything is possible. There is only One thing here, but its potential and expressions are infinite. As my awareness expands, simply, it seems, by my willingness and open-ness, I feel as though an aspect of myself has blazed a trail before me, establishing, preparing the adventures I have experienced.

How could my thoughts entertain the vastness of possibilities, the extent of the cosmos, but then be denied access even in this human form? The limitations have all been set down by a very limited view of life. And this is not the truth - unless I decide it is. I don't. My curiosity, my hunger to experience love and living in the full spectrum, the full cycle of being urges me to invite greater and greater possibilities. God, Source, One, Love - Thank You!

In some strange, mysterious, magical way I know you know what is going to happen next and yet it is not preordained. The experience is mine alone to create - in process. And as I do your essence, your love, your Being goes with me and captures and transmits the experience throughout. Please guide me, strengthen me to be consistent and responsible to Love as I know in the deepest part of my being that this is the most beneficial process for me. And yet I do not want to limit, constrain or choke the experience by my preconceived ideas, beliefs or prejudices. Empower me to contribute in the purest and most beneficial way.

Strengthen and support me to be courageous, bold and creative. To confront and resist conformity as it appears to be the thing stifling life the most in this "reality". Help me be the harbinger, the trailblazer, the demonstrator of the glory and opportunity that you have given all who exist in this form we call human-being. I yearn, intend to know universal, cosmic consciousness in this form, if that is what I am to be. I seek to show others the realization of our capacities and potentials in this form. And yet I detach from the process. I am loving the best I know how. I am being the best I know how. And I am grateful for the incredible capacities you have endowed to me. To see so clearly. To experience so fully. To look back and see with wonder this life. And then to go forward each day with wonder and gratitude. Oh my God! How do you do this? How did you make this? How can you hold all together in perfection? - And know all of it. When will I join you?

Please let me show others the way. I know we came here to be happy, to have fun, to love, to experience the vastness of the cacophony of sense experience. The pleasures. The intensities. To dream big dreams and make them. And to live through the whole process as complete expression of your love. Breathe life into me, Love. Breathe me. Breathe through me. Have me as a channel, a messenger, a light bearer - for the Grand enlightening, the conversion to the Truth experience of Love. With all of my Being, all of my power, all of my humility I say this prayer now. And I Thank You for granting and fulfilling this request in the exact manner that aligns with perfect Love. Thank You! So Be It! So It Is. All That Is!

What would love do?

What would love do?

To me, you, everyone, and all life - all of existence, from experience to experience, breath to breath, sunrise to sunset, in the glimmer of the stars at night and every moment of all that I experience.

Thank you Love for this opportunity to discover Love, Peace and Abundance within me that I promise, to myself and you to Share!

My Vision in a Nutshell

I made a decision to "change the world" in 2005, (for my children, when I knew much less than I do now, about vibrational energy and such) and revalidated it in 2007 - something like how Gandhi must have made a decision to free India or Norman Borlaug made a decision to feed everyone.

My understanding is that if we allow our connection to Gaia, to our Divine Mother to be made, we will find ourselves ushered into a more balanced way of being. I have been given insights that this process is really so simple - to relax and become re-aquainted, to be conscious of our breath, and know that each of us are the creators of our world.

So the process is quite simple, not complicated, because when we tap into our own breath and begin to treat ourselves with kindness and respect, and learn how our divine guidance program works, our feelings, we will be perfectly guided and then that re-creation will be guided like a Divine symphony to a realization of Peace and Harmony.

My aim, is to usher in this Peace, one person at a time. To empower each individual to know that truth of Love, and that they are that love, and they are motivated by that Love. There is nothing to fear, as all is in perfect order. I don't fear whether the sun will shine, or my molecules or the galaxies will hold together, why would I fear about the tiny systems that we, I guess a bunch of errant children, could somehow be outside of the Divine orchestration. So my Vision, is that we "re-create" the world into the paradise that we all know in our hearts can be. We can each create the world of our dreams that we have been afraid to state boldly, because there has been a lot of discouragement of such things. And by the way, there has been a purpose for that too - it is just difficult to grasp. All I know, that even all of the things I haven't liked have taught me a lot about Love, Service, Patience, Vision and a desire to be even a better Andy, each day. I continue to believe in "ever expanding possibilities" and as I do that I am happier and happier each day because I realize that what I was afraid of is not real, and that when I go through my fears I always find wonder and joy and mystery, and on and on it will go until I return to the One, complete.

Dear God - Todays Prayer for Peace

Today I pray to bring peace to the world in the following ways.

To breathe consciously and appreciate the gift of my life, and remember to be grateful. To teach people and help them really learn and believe in Reverence for Life. I visualize and take the actions I can to create governments and companies that are responsible for correct actions towards people and the Earth. I visualize and take actions for making technology and the media to be an instrument of Peace and Love providing entertaining, educational, and empowering messages to all people to empower them and bring Peace and harmony to the world. Today I visualize and take the actions to Share with people through my teaching the wonder and glory of the world and the cosmos and how special each person, each flower, each tree and each animal is. Today I visualize and take the actions to assist people to understand that we have made government and business and money and technologies to SERVE us, the people, and that the Spirit of Love guides all of life and our opportunity is NOW to create heaven on Earth - a paradise. Finally, I pray that all people understand how powerful, wonderful, beautiful and spectacular they are in the eyes of their God and the only way to find peace is in their own hearts and act governed by the Golden Law. "Do unto others, as you would have done unto you" - and this means all of Life.

With Peace, Andy

HOME Communities and Network

Vision Statement of a Place We call HOME

(Honoring Our Mother Earth)
Authored by the Community HOME Vision & Creation Committee
Released November 30, 2010

OUR VISION for HOME Communities is:

To create a network of communities that will utilize the best principles for social, economic and environmental viability – benefitting the community member´s individual personal and spiritual development in total harmony with the natural environment (Mother Earth, Gaia).

The foundation philosophy for establishing our HOME Communities (hereafter HOME) is on the realization and manifestation of Peace and Abundance for all of the members of the community, and for re-establishing our most critical connections to the natural environment. By creating these “seeds” of harmonious, sustainable communities we will provide success models for other communities and peoples interested in creating better living environments.

Four simple ideas that instruct us to attain this vision are:

- Recognizing Individual Sovereignty in Service to Others

- We are all in this together.

- “Be the Change “Peace and Love” You want to see in the world.” – Mahatma Gandhi

- People helping people.

Key principles for these communities are Reverence for Life (as espoused by Albert Schweitzer), collaboration, creativity (replacing the competitive mind – Wallace D. Wattles) and the support of individual spiritual and personal development.

For all intents and purposes, our HOME will be and entirely new model for communities as the members of the community recognize that the entire community thrives as the individual members are afforded freedom to discover their own creative and spiritual potentials. To this end, the aim of the community will be to provide all the members with food, energy, housing and the basic necessities of life with the minimum of effort, as to allow for more energies to be devoted to discovering their own greatest potentials as sovereign beings, and then to contribute those capabilities for their own advancement and those of the community, and ultimately to the rest of the world.

Phase I

- To begin to establish communities in locations around the world where people are coming together and can get access to property, resources and facilities to begin building “their” HOME. Each HOME Community will be autonomous in their own development and growth.

- Initially a Phase I goal will be to sustain 20 to 50 people in "pilot" communities. The practical side to this is to keep it small to prove that the concepts are realistic, and sustainable. While this model is tested and proven, we will continue to refine and document, in detail, the processes and experiences of the member communities as to share this model in other places. It is understood that these concepts serve as guiding principles and that each community must adapt and adjust the approach as needed to assure their success.

The following points delve further into the ideas of like minded people coming together who are serious in the creating our new HOME.

It is paramount that this document be seen as a “living document”, establishing a solid foundation upon which to establish our community, while being open to make necessary adjustments. All life adapts, and we must be flexible in this process, especially in the early stages where we are learning what will and will not work for the good of the larger HOME Community Network, individual communities, and the earth. This document in no way establishes any form of authority - its aim, to provide a set of principles by which to guide this process to assure success.

Initial Guiding Principles – Community & Member Qualities

Participatory Principles

· Everyone in the community(s) accepts that in order for this to be the greatest success, each person will contribute their unique talents, efforts and abilities to have everything run smoothly. And that, as a team, we will gladly work together to accomplish all necessary tasks, from the simple to the complex.

· A HOME Service Committee, (tentative name) and sub-committees shall be created to represent and Serve the larger community(s) in all areas that keep the community running, a round table model will likely be used and will include children as well as elders. For our HOME Community there is but ONE ultimate authority - as will be expressed in our group conscience.

· It is important to avoid the creation of a “cult” community(s). Many examples show us that these models, ultimately, do not benefit each sovereign member, and the larger community in the long run. HOME is not about a particular belief system, or “leaders”, or “agendas”. The purpose of HOME is to develop new community living systems as to make life more enjoyable, fun, productive and successful for every person. "We are all in this together". Andy Skadberg

· The HOME Community Network will be comprised of people who are not afraid of hard work, nor of a different life from what they have known previously - people who are open to new opportunities, adventures and challenges. These individuals are ready to challenge their comfort zone, such as is required for a change in ways or lifestyle.

· Balance is to be a main focus of HOME. Service will be used in all areas including discipline to promote the idea of cooperation and collaboration in all areas, actions speak louder than words.

· Independence from governments, basing our community of natural and common law, the idea of sovereignty since this is our divine right as we are living beings on this world.

Money and Economy

· The HOME Community Network recognizes that money can present challenges. But we acknowledge that money is really also a form of energy, and a tool. Viable economic strategies will be a necessary focus of attention to create a workable model in HOME Communities. Initial ideas will be to work on a barter system where everyone is equal in their contribution. The aim will be to create a harmonious “living organism” much like we see in nature and the cosmos. Money will be necessary to trade with existing economies, and initially to build and repair the areas as needed, as well as allowing members to be able to travel as well as keep their current homes. However, the communities will likely consider creating a new monetary exchange system within the community (e.g. Transition Communities, etc.).

· HOME will flow around the “old models” for living (like water around a stone), to set HOME as a demonstration that human-beings can live in harmony. Our aim will be to demonstrate that there is a better way to live with each other and the earth, for life here as we know it.

Initial Guiding Principles – Creating Intelligently and Intentionally

• We will use the strengths, capabilities, and “master-minded” potentials
  of our community(s) for success and continued advancement on all levels. Within the collective membership are vast talents, skills, ideas and potential and we must always be open to these as they are deemed viable by the greater HOME community(s). We will establish the ways that these ideas are developed and implemented for the larger community, and members are always encouraged to expand themselves and Share what they have to offer.

· We will not “re-invent the wheel”
Our team has gathered “success stories” and will utilize these workable multi-cultured environments in our community based on total agreement of the community (based on the Mastermind described by Napoleon Hill in Think and Grow Rich). And we will conduct research and continue to stay apprised of new and emerging models. This work shall be empowered by the creation of the HOME Community System (online database and resource center) Some examples include:

o Mandela permaculture structure farms in Brazil.

o Sekem, the internationally acclaimed self-sustaining farm complex in Belbeis, in Egypt, and to learn from the local indigenous peoples from area how they survived without such influences overtaking their culture.

o Utility Research Gardens in Texas: Developing organic food models, and Community Supported Agriculture (CSA).

o Numerous other examples.

Some Initial Community Guidelines

• Expanding Benefits - based on innovation and sustainability principles
  Each community should improve the environment and the larger regional and local economy regardless of where they are established.
• Intelligent Autonomy
  We imagine establishing the communities with some proximity to cities but far enough away to avoid challenges often associated with traditional cities developed under old-world community development models.
• Utilizing the Best
  Since our communities will be established in natural areas outside of existing urban centers, we will utilize the ideas, concepts and principles that have been researched by our team, while also staying open to new models for comprehensive rural economic development. These strategies will be based upon the ideas of economic and social diversification and empowerment of people.
• Free & Renewable Energy
  Unburdening people from energy “costs” communities will free HOME members and the communities from traditional economic and environmental impact burdens. We will explore and implement Free and renewable resources for energy, construction and utilization for everyday needs within the community, utilizing a comprehensive recycling program building off of successful models that are in place in other communities
• Healthy and nutritious food
  We are what we eat. Developing “good” food is also essential. The aim will be to grow only organic food and to create a healthy and abundant food system for all people.
• Clean Water and Air
  Protecting the natural environment is paramount! All methods available to prevent any contamination, and alleviate existing problems, of the natural environment will be utilized. Deep Ecology, and Reverence for Life are foundational principles which guide us. Only clean water and air to Share, together with current society and future generations, this is our commitment!
• Our Human Family
  Many of us, and our brothers and sisters have, and continue to, experience living challenges in various forms. It is our intent to eliminate all lack and suffering in the world, thus our aim is to create safe havens for those who need it, a sanctuary for all to grow and heal old wounds that gives back their personal sovereignty, and their awakening to the truth of who and what they are.

Growth and Expansion

· Phase II Our initial aim will be to expand the community, once proven successful to sustain 500-2000 people.

· The Vision is to “plant seeds” of communities, much like the majority of the natural world demonstrates to us – similar to the strategy of a dandelion, one of the most successful plants in the world.

· “Building Bridges” is a theme that we wholeheartedly support. HOME is not about creating “islands” where we live in paradise, and the rest of the world is left behind. We understand that everything is connected, and that it is our responsibility to build bridges to the new for all people who are ready for a new life. Ideas of great ones who support these ideas are John Muir “When we try to pick out anything by itself, we find it hitched to everything else in the universe.” How we create, is as Einstein suggested: “Imagination is more important than knowledge. Knowledge is limited. Imagination encircles the world”.

· Initial plans for a Phase II A possible component of the HOME Community Network has already been written by Andy Skadberg, PhD entitled Hybridized Community Development Cooperative (HCDC) and provides and excellent starting point for an initial Vision.

· Phase III will be developed from the HOME Community Network, creating a specific Team to develop these plans in detail, as for the individual communities, and for the larger Global HOME Community Network. This Mandala of harmony will Encircle the World!

Growing the Team and Utilizing Creativity

· Initial Ideas for utilizing our member talents, just a couple examples are:

• Healing and Health
  One of the strengths of our community at the outset is new healing modalities. In order to create a connection to other people living in more “traditional” ways we can offer “Open healing”, using ancient Medicine and Philosophies that focus on the whole being, not just body or symptoms. Then we can combine these approaches with modern knowledge, to help facilitate in creating a mind, body, spirit health and healing template for the society to maintain strength and virility.
• Existing Models
  Our team has gathered “success stories” and will utilize these workable multi-cultured environments in our HOME communities based on total agreement of the community.
• Technology
  Technology, both computer and other, are fabulous tools that have been made available to us for our use from the Source, and the creative Spirit of humanity. Thus, we will find the best tools to accomplish our objectives and utilize them for the advancement of our communities, and the protection of the natural environment.
• Adaptation & Growth
  All living beings and systems grow. We will dedicate our energies to finding and implementing new models for rural development, education (remembering), agriculture, entrepreneurship, tourism, etc., we deem it beneficial for the continued benefit of our members, communities, humanity as a whole, and the earth.

HOME Community shall be based on love, continually liberating and expanding lives through the focus to serve humanity and the Mother earth. Finding our own rights of passage through restoring and protecting the earth, while being an example to others in demonstrating through our community, one that does not hinder life, yet expands life in the creative production of abundance and health, designing and healing with nature. Thus we are returning, to live, work and Be in balance with the heart and mind.

It becomes the transformation of our concepts time and space that opens the Truth to limitless and infinite uniqueness in all those that share their journey in and outside of the community to create a better living for all. It is this seed of life that is created not only in nature but in the loving souls that come together with similar objectives that bring a new light on the earth. This light will shine out as a beacon to remind all of us how loving and important this life is here and now body, soul and mind with nature, joy and peace.

HOME Community Network
(Honoring Our Mother Earth)
By Andrew Skadberg – November 21, 2010

The HOME Community Network will create the first comprehensive resource providing people access to information about sustainable and new communities around the world. Building from our HOME (Honoring Our Mother Earth) Communities, this system will provide members of HOME and others access to a global network.

The HOME Community Network will create many benefits to HOME Communities, but most importantly to extend connections to all people´s who are imagining and working to create better living for all people and for re-establishing our true relationship to Mother Earth, the Spirit called Gaia.

The HOME Community network initially will provide access to six areas – which comprise the starting functions of a network to support the dissemination of information about alternative community development strategies.

It is designed to be a collaborative network to accelerate strategies for creating harmonious living here on Earth

The Six initial areas (services or network functions) are described in some detail below. The starting components will include

1) The HOME Community Portal

2) HOME Network catalog

3) Travel Portal & Exchange Program

4) Intelligent Technologies

5) Remembering Resource Center

6) HOME Community Association

This document introduces information from nearly 30 years of work in this area. It is organized in a way that can give a fairly comprehensive overview of the opportunity, but can be overwhelming to people just being introduced to the topic. All of the components have extensive documentation and support, but I am providing expanded discussion on only two topics – 1) Showcasing Stars - Communities, Individuals and Projects, and 2) How to Create and Support an Association with Online Services.

This is only a very simple “concept” – it is not pretty – it only serves as a place holder.

Below are Projects and Example Web sites – most are conceptual mock-ups.

Network Component 1 –

HOME Network Main Portal

The HOME Community Network main “portal” can be developed from a model that one of our team developed in Texas in 2004. All that is necessary is to adapt the approach used for the Texas Education Vacation online resource to a network of new and sustainable communities that are developing around the world. The above Star Tetrahedron outlines components that can be developed to support the community.

Network Component 2 –

HOME Network Catalog

The HOME Community Catalog will be a way to generate financial resources for further development of our HOME Communities Vision. By our Membership purchasing and selling through our Catalog, we will begin to build the mechanisms to extend what we offer to the rest of the world. Many of our members already have products and Services to offer, plus this can also extend to other products and services offered by others. Also, with effective marketing, the catalog could be a recognized Resource in the areas of Sustainable Communities around the globe.

Network Component 3 –

Travel Portal – Exchange Program

People love to travel. Members of our HOME communities will want to travel between communities. Plus, we will want to attract other like-minded people to our communities. Travel is the best “bridge builder” for Peace and understanding.

Also, an Exchange Program will create a way for communities to attract volunteers, experts and potential residents. Many opportunities to make the network “real” and connect people person to person, via experience and the foundation of HOME in the Spirit of Service to each other and Gaia. This program will be key to creating Sharing of ideas, talents and Experiences.

Network Component 4 –

Intelligent Technologies

Technologies are tools that have been created to help us communicate, collaborate and create the world of our dreams and imaginations. Using these tools for their ultimate purpose, for good, can bring unparalleled success. Technology tools are laying at our feet to help us deal with all of our challenges whether they are environmental, social or economic.

Network Component 5 –

Remember Resource Center (education)

It has been said that 100% of human potential will be realized through proper education. Socrates believed we didn´t “learn” we “remembered” – this idea is consistent with the Law of One. The HOME Network will be successful if we help people remember the Truth of who and what they are, and why we came here to this beautiful world we call HOME. To this end, providing practical education and information will be key to our success.

Exciting possibilities exist for new technologies to reach people in new ways, and to give the tools to create the lives that they really want to. Creating the next “Univ. of Phoenix Online” based on practical and useful information, and by using gaming environments for engaged and entertaining experiences will transform people´s lives, especially younger audiences.

Network Component 6 –

HOME Community Association

A primary aim of the HOME Network will be to support our member communities, but also to extend our network out to bring together the total universe of new development communities. By creating an association to serve these places, and by adding-value to the membership, we will accelerate the cause of global transformation to one of Peace and Harmony.

HOME Community Network - waking up the “Sleeping Giant” – Introduction and some Background

Very few people are aware of the real story of how Sam Walton catalyzed Wal-Mart. It was his realization that rural places are under-served. He recognized the need to extend products and services to rural places.

This need and opportunity still exists but the dynamics and the services that are needed have changed. More importantly rural places and urban centers exist in a dynamic relationship, each dependent on the other. But this linkage is over-looked. This is where the Starseed Community and HOME Community´s opportunities can be realized.

Members of our Starseed Community team have documented and strategized on this opportunity space for more than 15 years. The details of this strategy fills hundreds of pages, but I wanted to summarize as briefly as possible to where our strategic alliance could lead – to a literal transformation of rural economies. The need and our aim is Global in scale because the challenge is ubiquitous, but our solution is doable, scalable and realizable. The ideas we highlight here are

1) The Urban-Rural Nexus and Building the Bridge

2) Sustainability – based on creativity and cooperation

3) Diversification of Rural Economies – is happening but we can be the catalyst

4) Education – Practical, Entrepreneurial – ONLINE

Urban – Rural Nexus and Building the Bridge

Traditionally urban and rural are viewed as two separate entities competing for resources. In actuality it is a whole system. Rural economies are dependent on an influx of dollars from the city. Cities are dependent on rural places for food, water, fiber, natural resource protection and for leisure and recreational respites. In other words the two are inextricably linked. The challenge for rural places is real. Geography and supplying various services to rural places has been a constant challenge because services need to be extended across distances, without the “critical mass” of customers which will pay for the services.

Cities inherently have better access to services, but one could argue that the quality of life is not necessarily better. Much could be written about this situation. The key issue is to introduce the “opportunity space” for establishing services in rural places, and to identify how urban centers and rural places are dependent on each other for ultimate survival. This summary suggests first recognizing the interdependencies and secondly to build a bridge for enhancing the opportunities that are presented to support this important dynamic relationship. That bridge can be built via the Internet.

It is critical to extend services to rural communities, and, with the advent of the

Internet, it can be viable economically to do so. There are cases of businesses that realized the rural opportunity such as Wal-Mart and Dollar General. Both became highly profitable. However, these examples do little justice to the opportunity that the HOME Community Network can realize by extending services, education and empowerment tools and resources to support the local citizenry of rural communities to be grown from the community itself.

The overall potential for success in building this bridge, in combination with the “systems approach” for managing negative impacts more effectively, is tremendous and not just economically, but more importantly for the quality of life. However, our new opportunity is even greater with the advent of the Internet. In fact, we often point out that our new success will not be based on consumerism, selling people a bunch of stuff, but on providing resources to empower people through “education” and the various “empowerment tools” to empower people to realize the inherent potentials available in all places 1) people, 2) the natural resource endowment, and 3) the history and culture of the place.

A basic fact could be stated as we look at the rural-urban question: not every one can live in the city! Nor would we want them to. One need only look at history to see what happens when too many people live in close proximity.

However, as one looks at economic pressures on the average rural citizen there appears to be significant challenges to be able to “stay on the land”, so to speak. And pressures continue to grow on urban centers as mass exoduses occur from rural areas of people hoping to find a better life, especially in developing countries.

However, there are significant deviations to these trends in places like the United States.

Where people have freed themselves financially, there are growing numbers that are moving from the city to rural places, and/or buying second homes there. Some investigators are highlighting that rural places are flourishing. Needless to say as one travels in rural communities whether it is in the United States or any country, there appears to be some level of revitalization. Nonetheless, in our observations, problems are still ubiquitous, especially for the poor. These problems can especially be seen in communities that have historically been on the fringe, economically, socially or geographically (e.g. urban) or are in areas of racial diversity.

Further stymieing the process of agencies or corporations extending services are that their efforts are “silo’ized”. Each entity (agency) segments their area of service and only tries to push a narrow set of ideas/programs onto their constituents – almost always utilizing a “top-down” approach. Efforts are fragmented and lack quality and substance. We could cite several cases. In the process they are using up precious financial resources that could be better utilized by cooperating with other agencies and programs, that not only extend services from the top down, but start to build from “grass-roots”.

The time has come to bring more value and substance in the programs and services that are offered in the spirit of creativity, cooperation and efficiency, and utilizing new technologies. Drivers for this process go beyond the traditional, almost exclusive economic drivers to include things like, environmental sustainability, enhancing the “quality of life”, innovation and inspiration in business and agriculture, creativity, enthusiasm, human connections, passion, spirit, intuition, etc. In summary, some important points to consider when evaluating the “Rural – Urban Nexus”

- Rural landowners can provide much needed land and natural resource management, even if the “public will” was to create agencies to provide “land management” it is highly cost prohibitive, plus the performance of these agencies for long-term “protection”, from a historical perspective, is not satisfactory.

- Rural areas are necessary for the “recreation respite”, from the high paced, stressful lifestyle of cities. Nature is truly necessary for adequate rest and revitalization and large, quiet natural areas are not normally found in cities.

- Plenty of solutions are available in educational institutions and agencies that can be utilized to cope with the rural economic, social and environmental conundrum. The key is to convert this content, and extend these services via the HOME Community Network.

- There is a tremendous opportunity to create a new service paradigm for “Extension education” via the Internet and technology tools.

- Value comes from real solutions. There are numerous “success stories” at various scales from around the globe by which general principles can be derived and then those strategies adapted to various contexts.

Sustainability in this opportunity is based on creativity, cooperation and environmental sustainability. By empowering individuals to find and develop communities and businesses that fit with what they enjoy, this supports these people to stay in the community where they want to live. This then establishes a leadership base and helps people in the community see that cooperation between businesses and organizations strengthen the pillars of community. Based on a regional model, this spirit of cooperation then extends between cities and towns within and between regions, especially related to tourism but also to traditional and emerging economic and higher education development. This is the paradigm shift that is occurring and HOME Communities can position itself in a leadership role, and can be the first to realize this significant and important opportunity

Diversification is one of the key elements and opportunities that are waiting to be realized. The last 100 years has seen the advent of increasingly marginalized and single industry focused economies. This model is not sustainable. Every place in the world has a multiplicity of opportunities available, but these are only realized through creative, intelligent people pursuing and following their own creative spirit and through collaboration. The key to stimulating diversification is re-membering (education). Also required is leadership (not as authority, but more as wise guidance) and a revitalization of communities to support entrepreneurial development and opportunities – this can be done through business and commercialization incubation.

Wal-mart made a tremendous demonstration of the potential for business in rural communities. However, the bulk of the opportunities were not realized in all communities. Those opportunities were, and even more so are, to empower people in communities to look to new business development in a variety of sectors including tourism, small industry and service. With the advent of the Internet small business can grow anywhere. Rural places are especially attractive to people who desire quiet and less stressful environments. More and more people who have had successful careers are re-locating out of the city. No matter what, everyone cannot live in the city and one of HOME Community´s greatest opportunities is to support this process of people moving out of the city back to the country.

Education – Practical, Entreprenurial – ONLINE We are all familiar with the success of the University of Phoenix Online – now there are physical campuses in every major city in the U.S. But the University of Phoenix is mostly a traditional education institution. A very real and gargantuan opportunity exists to follow the U. of Phoenix, but by providing more practical and pragmatic educational content. This includes new education vehicles like gaming environments. These can relate to subjects such as tourism, entrepreneurship, hospitality, value-added agriculture, new sustainable rural property development, new “sustainable” practices in agriculture, etc. Much of the content for this new Online Experiential University already exists. All that is necessary is to adapt the content into an online format, and make available similar to the Land-grant extension model. The need for this information is tremendous in the U.S. and in international settings, but especially developing places.

Another key to this opportunity is to extend these services via the Internet but go beyond what people are currently using it for – information and networking. The next stage of our utilization of these tools is to put them to work by converting the information people are seeking into forms that are usable to them, that address their needs, questions and concerns. As for networking, it is time to move away from just socializing, such as Facebook, to true “collaborative networking”. This means to give practical and useful tools to people for creative networking that empowers them to grow their businesses while also making their time spent online more effective and efficient. The great part of this is that nearly all of the tools already exist, all we have to do is bring them together into a “tool-box”, custom-made to their requirements. On the other end of the spectrum we have the markets already waiting to buy – for example Location Based Services (LBS).

Showcasing Stars – Communities, Individuals, Projects

As part of our endeavors with HOME Community Network, one way to “showcase” what is happening is to create a “Renewable Community” travel show. One of our HOME Community members, or a team, can travel the world showcasing what is happening. For this example, just change references to “experiential tourism” to “green”, “sustainable”, or “new communities”.

Below is an outline for the concept that Dr. Skadberg has been working on that can easily be adapted to the HOME Community Network.

See additional Documents

Expedition
How to Create and support an Association with Online Services