At Sundari we believe strongly in personal freedom and expression. However living in a community with others also requires responsibility. Living together is not always easy. We have attempted to create enough of a structure that our place is financially viable, has clear communication as a core community practice, and expect a certain amount of residential involvement with our land and community. The agreements that we have come up with are minimal, but important to consider before moving here. We want to have enough structure to keep things positive while allowing room for cultures to live and flourish in the households designed and held by the people living there.
Meals:
There is one community dinner a week (Tuesdays) with all members strongly encouraged to participate. This meal is included with rent, and includes food sourced from the gardens and cooked by residents. Your household may optionally organize other meals during the week or possibly a full dinner meal plan with residents taking turns cooking. That’s up to you!
To keep things smoothly functioning we do have a few mandatory requirements. We all know that it takes work to make a relationship work and communities are no different. To experience the joys of community, we also need to do the maintenance work required to keep them healthy. Here are the requirements all residents must agree to:
Participating in the Community WhatsApp Thread:
Stay informed and give input on upcoming events, progress on land/community projects, food coordination, sharing praises or concerns and other things.
House Meeting:
This is a weekly hour long meeting to connect with your household and discuss various practical matters such as food coordination, cleaning schedule etc.
Tuesday Community Coherence Practice and Dinner (~4 hours):
We gather once a week to deepen and enrich our capacity to connect and relate with one another. Currently, our work is informed by Thomas Huebl’s attunement and communication practices, and by Harmonic Family Resonance. This is followed by a dinner with everyone on property. This meal is included with rent, from food sourced from the gardens and cooked by residents.
Monthly Land Day:
We care for the land together 1 day per month, touching the soil and learning about the plant beings growing here.
Bi-Annual Community Retreats:
Every six months we will have 1 or 2 day community retreat for co-learning about communication and other community living skills. We often will have a group adventure too. Residents are expected to attend. You will have plenty of advance notice.
Conflict Resolution:
Conflicts inevitably arise when people live together. We are committed to peaceful conflict resolution using non-violent language, deep listening and other tools. We have mediators available if needed. Residents are expected to resolve issues with each other so we all maintain a healthy emotional environment for everyone. This may involved bringing a third party in to mediate. As part of our weekly dinner we have talks on and practice with these skills
Rural Off Grid Living:
Be warned that this is a rural part of a small island in the Pacific. We have good enough wifi, but not blazing fast. All of our buildings run entirely on solar energy. Water is from water catchment and a recently installed well. Energy and plumbing issues are not uncommon.
The environment here can be abrasive. Problems with electrical items and vehicles are not uncommon. Roads are often bumpy and unpaved. The ground is often covered in lava rock and not so easy to navigate barefoot (though some do!) Having a car is highly recommended.
Sobriety:
At Sundari we value sobriety which allows us more capacity for emotional growth and processing with each other. While there are no strict bans on alcohol or cannabis, only moderate use and not in public spaces is acceptable in our community. Hard drugs are not allowed at all.
Bringing Your Gifts:
Many of the guests and residents are teachers, healers, makers, artists and musicians, garden whisperers, technical adepts, ritualists, scholars… if you want to offer workshops, events, or get on the regular class schedule, you’re invited to make that offering.
Enjoying Events:
As residents, you’re invited to attend evening events for free, although a donation of any amount to musicians and presenters is always appreciated, to the extent it’s possible for you. Workshops and multi-day retreats are offered to residents for a discount, depending on the presenter.
Additional Resident Benefits:
All incoming residents will receive on-boarding trainings that includes off-grid living, communication skills, land stewardship, embodiment, and presenting skills. Residency includes full access to our spa, free morning meditation and movement classes as well as discounts to on-site dances and programs. Some rent reduction is available through work trades.