Our Intentions

1. Environmental/Protecting Life Intentions

i. Sustainability (no plastic) and conservation of materials

In common spaces, we use and retain common or shared items made entirely of materials that are recyclable, biodegradeable, reusable, non-toxic and non-toxic emitting or forming. These include glass, metal, wood, natural fibers and ceramics rather than plastic or plastic like materials. This includes all items – art, furniture, fabrics, containers etc. Electronic devices and personal items kept in our rooms are excepted. We strive to get such items that are refurbished/reused, recyclable or maximize sustainable materials in their manufacture. We build and obtain household objects by practicing in order of priority: rethinking, reducing, reusing, and recycling to the greatest degree possible.

ii. Local organic food

In common spaces, we eat and cook food that is local or bioregionally local, unless given to us as a gift. We aspire to the 100 mile diet.

iii. Vegan

We only eat and cook food in the house that is vegan.

iv. Sustainable transportation

We own bikes rather than cars, use active modes of transportation such as walking, public transit, and cycling. We make decisions about the quantity and types of transportation we use based on the long term protection of human and non-human life and the planet. We make these choices to prevent and reverse the processes of global warming and prevent and reverse other ways in which our transportation choices negatively impact life on our planet.

v. Energy and water conservation

We use the least amount of water and energy required for any task. We use furnishings and equipment that have the highest ratings on water and energy conservation (e.g. we have rain barrels and we reuse grey-water in the kitchen, use CFL bulbs and cool the house using natural means).

vi. Non-toxic / biodegradable waste

We use household cleaners for personal and common spaces/items that are obtained in bulk in the form of basic raw materials such as soap, washing soda, borax, baking soda, salt, vinegar for all cleaning purposes. We dispose of toxic electronic and other waste through public toxic waste disposal.

vii. Humanure/human waste composting

Aware of how our soils are being depleted of nutrients while our waters and lands are being polluted by our waste, we practice restoring the cycle of life by transforming our bodily waste and transforming it into rich compost which used to replenish the soil and grow new food to feed us.

viii. Garden native ecosystem

The house grounds are reserved for native plant and animal species. Aliens are removed and indigenous species returned. These may include food bearing and medicinal species.

ix. Protect life

This includes creatures we would rather have live outside of our space such as bed bugs, mice, moths, ants, cockroaches, flies, mosquitoes etc. By adhering to our intentions, traditions, and predisposing conditions, our home remains clear of such creatures.

We protect the life of all living beings we might have contact with directly or indirectly in the house, in our community and on our planet. We adopt the best practices, intentions and traditions that protect life by protecting what we have, and promoting the restoration of what has been lost.

2. Social Intentions

i. Art, music, social change

We encourage activities related to art, music and social change advocacy and activism. This may range from hosting meetings, house concerts, decorating of rooms and spaces and supporting the social change and artistic endeavours of those in and outside our community.

ii. Social inclusion

We encourage people of all ages, genders, sexual orientation/practices, spiritual traditions, socioeconomic status, educational background, as well as physical and mental abilities to be part of our community as long as they are non-violent and non-oppressive. We include rather than exclude individuals who have different characteristics, origins, affinities, and interests.

iii. High sociability / fondness of company

We are gregarious and happy to have many guests living with us, and visiting us. We enjoy each others company and strive to spend intentional time together.

iv. Shared space

We share all common spaces – kitchen, bathrooms, dining room, living room, sun room, storage spaces, house grounds, patio and roof. Rooms are private unless members wish to share these.

v. Shared tools and items

In common spaces, we share all tools and materials

vi. Shared food

We share all food stored in common spaces

viii. Smoke free, and low/no alcohol/intoxicants

We do not smoke in the house and use minimal or no alcohol or other intoxicants in the house.

3. Spiritual and Personal Growth Intentions

i. Deepening scientific understanding / cessation of ignorance

We spend regular intentional time as a community to explore, study, exercise and deepen our scientific understanding of the interbeing nature of all that is especially the interbeing nature of our thoughts, speech and actions and how they impact and inter-are with the health, happiness and safety of ourselves, each other and all beings.

ii. Following the Zen traditions and teachings of Plum Village

As a house we adopt the common spiritual Zen traditions and teachings of Plum Village. We follow this tradition as a common approach to deepening our relationship with each other and all beings. This includes all traditions and teachings offered by Plum Village relating to communication, living in community, conflict resolution, dealing with anger, peace building, meditation practices etc. We do this in a way that does not align with any political, religious, therapeutic group or persuasion or approach. As individuals we may choose to be part of or pursue outside groups, teachings or beliefs and to share these with our community members in various forums if these align with and enhance the practice of our traditions and intentions.

iii. Spiritual / personal growth practice

Spending regular intentional time as a community to explore, study and exercise practices that strengthen personal and spiritual growth, harmony, love, kindness, compassion, peace and understanding while reducing conflict and other types of spiritual and personal suffering.

iv. Deep listening, loving speech (NVC) and loving action

We practice loving and kind speech and actions toward members of our community and those outside of our community. We refrain from speech/non-speech and actions we know will cause others to suffer or feel excluded.

v. Freedom to practice, feel, be and grow (anti-oppressive)

As a house we value freedom and support for our practices, feelings and growth. We wish to be free and autonomous and we wish others to be free and autonomous. This includes freedom to practice intentions and traditions, as well as other areas of inclusion. We live here because we wish to live in a community that shares the practices, intentions and traditions of our community. We ask that those who want to live with us as guests or as residents respect our freedom, wish and aspiration to live in a household community where all residents aspire to explore, learn, live by and practice the intentions and traditions of the house.

vi. Self supporting, generous and interdependent

As individuals and as a community we are self supporting, generous and interdependent financially, physically, mentally, spiritually and emotionally. We choose to accept the responsibility to balance our resources to pay our own way; maintain ourselves, mind, body and spirit; maintain our community and practice its intentions and traditions. Aware of the interbeing nature of our reality and our spiritual purpose to reduce the suffering and increase the health, safety and happiness of all beings, within our means, we practice generosity, kindness and compassion.

vii. Protecting and expanding our capacity

Aware that in the ultimate sense we are infinite we are also aware that in the relative sense we have limited capacities, financially, emotionally, mentally, physically, spiritually and with our time and our skill. We practice our intentions and traditions within the limits of our capacities so that we can better achieve them while maintaining our own health, happiness and safety and that of all beings. We endeavour to deepen our practice and personal growth individually and as a community in order to expand our love and our other capacities.

3. Decision Making Intentions:

i. Empirical practices

We adhere to, encourage and choose practices, intentions, traditions and understandings based on the best available scientific evidence, that is, experience obtained through the best available methods that is unbiased empirical, transparent and reproducible.

ii. Consensus decision making by depth of membership

Decisions appropriate to depth of membership are made by consensus. If there is more than one prevailing view and these views are fixed or in a conflict, the decision may be made by different means of decision making such as by vote or by those with a more committed degree of membership, as decided by those with the greatest degree of community engagement. This includes interpretation and changes to intentions, practices and traditions.

iii. Depth of membership based on demonstrated level of commitment

Individuals are invited to levels of membership or engagement by members with deeper levels of community membership and engagement. Depth of membership is based on observed commitment, engagement, interest and involvement in the community and in supporting the intentions and traditions of the community. Decision making and responsibility grows with level of commitment, engagement and depth of membership.

iv. Decision making: hierarchy of traditions

We study and practice a set of established wisdom traditions. These traditions are, in their respective order of decision making priority: Scientific Evidence, Zen Buddhist Traditions of Plum Village, Barley Jar Traditions, and Central European culture based traditions. The order of priority reflects a balance of convention and lived experience (Barley Jar and European Traditions); the depth, richness, and inclusiveness of wisdom (Zen Buddhist Traditions of Plum Village); and the depth and strength of eliminating biases and misperceptions through rigorously tested experience (Scientific tradition).

iv. Non-attachment to intentions and traditions:

We are not attached to views, doctrines, theories, traditions, or intentions including any of the house intentions or traditions described here. House intentions and traditions are guiding means and aspirations rather than absolute truth.

4. Community Intentions

i. Community growth

Aware that as our practice strengthens, our practice community will grow by attraction rather than by promotion. We support the growth of our community materially, financially, mentally, physically, spiritually, emotionally and socially.

ii. Community inter-connectedness

Aware that there are many other neighbourhood, community, and global endeavours that align with our aspirations, intentions and traditions and that there is strength in community and cooperation, we practice exploring and connecting with others outside of our community to strengthen our practice and the impact of our practice on ourselves and all beings.

5. Intentions being Implemented

i. Social repair/healing

Aware of the suffering caused by social segregation and exclusion, we strive to bridge the divides of marginalization by having members in our home and extended community who live or have lived on different sides of all manners of marginalization, including homelessness, homophobia/transphobia, ableism, patriarchy, social elitism, cliques etc.

Intention Road Map:

• Zero garbage
• Net Zero Energy Consumption
• Net Zero carbon footprint
• Other intentions that support social and environmental sustainability as evidence becomes more apparent
• Fair Trade Intention
• Substance/Intention Harm Reduction Tradition