I have had a well
rounded experience here. There has been time to delve into the
realms of social issues, spiritual pursuits, philosophical
ponderings, scientific learning and ample exposure of the ideals
and the practicalities of community living. I have been allowed
many different perspectives on education, ethics and group
dynamics, and have had the space to integrate them into my own. The lessons of this
Land, this place and its people will stay with
me, they are now a part of the self I am always striving to be,
and have always been. So far from the academia of desks, podiums
and dry lectures, this is a primary life experience which will
influence the course I will follow in life, and how I go about the
adventure of living.
~LS
These two months have cemented the
knowledge that an underlying passion for the natural world will
forever be a part of who I am, and that one of the only ways I
will find true satisfaction in this life will be to know I have
done my part to save what I can from destruction. Moreso, this
experience has helped me refine just exactly how to go about
maximizing my effectiveness, it has provided a context to work
within to initiate the changes I seek.
The
idealistic parts of intentional community living have been made
real by partaking in the experience of living here- group dinners,
managing of a large organic garden, living an a wild, rural and
rustic setting, spending many a sunny day with no one but my
thoughts and the butterflies of spring. . .adjusting to the
rhythms of the changing seasons, developing a sense of place and
purpose. I have had much opportunity to refine my vision of the
land and community I plan to create- from the abstract: goals,
unifying vision, philosophy, etc.- to the specific: design of
structures, geographic location, rules which need to be spelled
out, and guidelines everyone can benefit from.
~LS
The perfection of this place is
that it is a balance between raw idealism and the unavoidable
realities of life in modern society. I feel safe saying the most
valuable lesson I can take from this place is the resolution of a
conflict of desires I have been struggling with for a while. This
type of living dissolves the dichotomy of living in selfish bliss
or sacrificing oneself to the cause at hand. With conscious design
and clear intentions we can live a rich, rewarding life, working
hard and playing hard, and all the while making a difference in
the world around us. This lifestyle is appropriately radical,
without being overly extreme. There is no escaping the system
entirely, it seems counterproductive to try overly to do so.
Instead, we can work on the periphery to undermine the core. We
can live outside of the rat-race enough to stay sane and true, but
embrace the parts of technology and bureaucracy which can be used
to the advantage of the Earth.
~LS
This sort of education is very unique,
it is all encompassing, and intense in its laidback style. The
unconventionality and loose structure can make me forget this is
school, but when I step back and think about it, I am learning a
huge amount, more real, worthy, useful and practical knowledge
than any classroom could hope to produce. Each conversation leaves
me with a fresh perspective and much food for thought, each
experience makes real a different issue, each problem resolved is
a lesson.
That
anyone can go through four years of college behind desks and
computers seems such a shame to me. This sort of direct life
experience is incomparably more worthwhile and productive. To
interact in a semi-focused way with elders who spend their lives
doing what you propose to do with yours is an incredible
opportunity. You can be catapulted through so many levels of
discovery and maturity of views, and begin immediately to deal
with the core issues- rather than rambling through trying to learn
it all by default on your own. So much time saved.
~LS
Many good experiences allowing
insight into life in a community in general, and here
specifically. Took part in a work party, got down and dirty in
Birch Creek, excavating an old dump. Met Martin and Richard as we
worked, and helped send away a full to the brim truckload of junk
from the land---scrap metal, plastic, glass, car parts, even an
old record player, and the kitchen sink too! It felt good to put
sweat into reclaiming the land, and was very satisfying to watch
the full truck drive away. Hard work is fun and rewarding when
combined with a good purpose and good companionship---I finished
wanting to do more.
That evening we had
another group dinner---this time even more excellent because I
felt more comfortable, and had put work into the day and the meal. To be surrounded by people who are open, supportive, aware and in
touch is exhilarating and encouraging.
Of course I knew they were out there, but to come and live
amongst a group living in basic accordance to my vision warms my
heart and makes me glad.
Again
we gathered in a circle and held hands, giving thanks, stating our
awareness of what a privilege it is to live in such a fashion,
with such people. Martin led us in a chant, sing along about
walking the ancient path, living on sacred ground---I wish I could
remember the whole thing, it was perfect for my thoughts. It is so
rare one connects with purity, simplicity and deep, innate reality.
The makings of true and everlasting happiness were present that
evening, as were the lessons and wisdom of the ancient inhabitants
of this land, wisdom which is fundamental, transcending time and
place in its importance and raw power.
I was especially blissed
out to be glimpsing this raw glory of connection and belonging,
but I was also impressed by the subtlety of it all---it is not so
new to the others as to me, they are older and have come to this
way of being through long and separate paths, they do not take it
for granted, it is just that the understanding of what is real and
important in this life and become imbedded, allowing a calmness in
contrast to my excitement. I felt I had tossed myself into the
wind in search of others who share my despair, my hope and my
understanding, and I was rewarded by finding a center for all I
love and wish to pursue.
~LS
The word community
has taken on another layer of meaning, has acquired a patina of
experience. An endeavor such as the DEEP program takes on
responsibilities no regular school program would approach, such as
communication, personal responsibility, accountability, diplomacy,
and interactive skills.
~S
I’ve questioned why I needed to come here. Simply put, it was a
way to preserve my sanity. I thought that a change of scenery and
attitude would adjust my being (and it has, tremendously), but on
the walk, I realized that my problems are coming from ME, not the place I’m in, not the school I’m at, not
the people I’m with.
-S
“In
contrast with most academic studies, which are abstract indoor
activities, natural history is concrete and requires firsthand
knowledge of trees, animals, plant life, birds, aquatic life,
marine biology, and geology. It is an antidote to the excessively
abstract, overly quantified, and computerized, as well as the
romantic view of nature derived from armchair ecologists. Natural
history forces us to deal with nature on nature’s terms. It also
promotes the capacity not only to see but to observe with care,
understanding, and, above all else, with pleasure.” –
David Orr (Ecological Literacy, p.136)
David Orr would be
proud of this program; the DEEP Ecostery could not, without a
doubt, be accused of being an abstract indoor activity. Each
subject applies directly to the mission of life at Trillium. The
focus of the program may be natural history, but natural history
would not be complete without environmental education,
environmental ethics, community studies, and conservation biology. Without any one of these courses the program itself would not be
entire, each is so ingrained with the others.
Education in the
Ecostery is not narrowly focused on the education of intelligence
in general, but focuses on learning through practical abilities
and observation, which allows for understanding and enjoyment of
what is being learned. This is important for the nature of a small
program such as this where there are few students and there is
frequent individual interaction. Each student is permitted their
individuality, and different learning styles are honored. Engagement in practical assignments, our applied conservation
biology project for instance, are much more conducive to actual
learning than a cumulative final exam.
~SE
I realize that it takes a certain kind of individual to be a part
of a healthy community. I thought about a lot of people I know,
and many people I hang out with wouldn’t be the best people to
start a community with. On the flip side, I can think of a lot of
people I know that I don’t hang out with that would make
excellent community members.
Working with other
members of community is a very healthy, efficient way to work. Not
only do the jobs go faster, but it is a great time for
conversation as well. While working with others I tend to stay on
task for longer spans of time. I also notice that by working hard
and fast, the others working with me tend to work at the same
pace.
We
hosted dinner at the schoolhouse last night. I always love the
community gatherings at our place. We had a circle and sang
and danced before eating, feeling our positive intentions
radiating out of the schoolhouse and into the cosmos. When a
tight group of people circle and truly put their hearts into
their song, dance and chants, the positive healing energy goes
beyond the circle and into the hearts of others.
I
enjoy talking about community here because this is a community! Often when others have discussions of community, only the positive
things are talked about and the uncomfortable subjects are
avoided. Without talking about all aspects of community (good,
bad, easy, hard or any other emotional feelings that come up), you
are just dreaming! It puts a realistic edge on our discussions to
be in a community that we can use as an example.
~TR
When
J. told me that he understands now (after we resolved our
conflict) that conflict and disagreements can bring people
together much more then holding hands in a circle, I knew that
I’m in the right place.
~GM
The Trillium experience has been very different from my other past
experiences in community living. Unlike living with groups of
people in shared housings, training with people during military
basic training or engaging in group wilderness expeditions, this
experience has been focused on real-life issues in sustainability
and intentionality. Here, we were encouraged to be honest, to
listen to one another, to embrace our differences, and to provide
a nourishing and safe ground for the seeds of change we came here
to sow. To achieve this type of group process is a great task by
its self, even in a setting like Trillium.
~GM
Between
us Ecosterians, I feel like we’ve been learning how to deal with
each other, respect each other’s needs, find mutual passions and
interests, and give space and freedom for everyone to be them
selves. It took us three weeks of judgments, distance,
suspiciousness, some conflicts, and lots of open, spontaneous
communication to finally reach a point where we actually are
beginning to like being with each other and share our diversity. We might not become best friends for the rest of our lives but it
sure does feel like I can work with those guys, share knowledge
and skills, cook dinners, trust them to be fairly clean,
responsible and respectful, and occasionally have fun playing
music, go to town, or just have a good one-on-one conversation. I
think it’s a pretty good achievement, considering other group
experiences I had in the past.
~GM
I
see the Ecostery as an evolving experiment, an example of how
“ecological wisdom” can be practiced and taught. I see the Ecostery as filling an important niche in our
current society as far as vision, action, and potential, and
providing an important niche for students who either can’t find
a place for themselves in the standard education system, are
seeking a life-altering experience, or want to push the boundaries
of education and what that means.
~NP
During
the Ecostery, going through the process of check-ins frequently
has been helpful both in the practice of showing myself and
directing group attention and in forcing me to connect with my
in-the-moment state. Living in community, even during this brief time,
has been very fulfilling to the part of me that feels rejected. Our two-month commitment to forming our community
within the one of Trillium has provided a sense of security to me. It has given me an assurance similar to
unconditional love, (and in what we've created, unconditional love
itself) that no matter how stupid I sound or how blunderous my
behavior, I will still be here and so will everyone else.
Even better, there has been an atmosphere of healing and
learning to support my growth founded on love, compassion,
understanding, willingness.
~ FTJ
Throughout
the Ecostery I was very impressed with the overall commitment to
honoring the structures put forth by our instructors and the
program. As I
expressed in my application, one of the elements of Ecostery that
really appealed to me was the inherent formation of a true
community of learners--something I've longed for through my high
school and college years. A
community of learners is committed to the processes of learning
and other elements that create cohesion within a community of
learners. I was so
delighted to find this kind of commitment among my fellow
Ecosterians.
A high
level of integrity was clear to me from the time of our first
council. In a very
mature and motivated way we, as a group, facilitated a council in
the most productive and thorough way we could with the structure
and ideas that had been described to us for this process. Walking through a community decision-making process, we
nominated a facilitator and note-taker; used the chalkboard for
agenda and lists; candidly discussed community living space issues
after our initial week of living together; and initiated an
academic check-in during which we set the intention to support
each other throughout the Ecostery by sharing strengths and
nurturing each other's weaknesses.
We went deep quick and continued very much in the same
vein.
Consistently
during the Ecostery there was also the intention to help Trillium
Community, the Land and the Ecostery in reciprocating ways
(enthusiasm for School and Community work parties; also great
desire to network with and help out the greater Little Applegate
community with efforts at Dog Fork; coming up with suggestions for
the betterment of the program and facility).
We honored the "sacred living space ideal" by
engaging in a group clean-up of the school each Tuesday before
Community dinner and class. Our
group commitment to the highest process was really evident to me
the Tuesday night a fawn was killed in the midst of our Community
Studies class and, despite the absence of our facilitators, we
held a forum on the reading materials and themes anyway.
Finally, we honored guidelines designed to optimize our
productivity and presence of mind by not drinking alcohol or
indulging in other consciousness-altering substances during the
course at the Ecostery.
~FTJ
During my Ecostery experience, clear realization and foundational
implementation of my personal real work has taken flight.
The rich, integrated academic curriculum, practice of
making personal and group ethical choices and deep attunement to
the land have been the backbone of this process.
Readily unleashing the accumulated knowledge within
promotes creativity and strengthens my ability to stimulate vital
exchange with human and nature alike.
~SM
