Imagine a life where resources are shared, economic disparity is minimized, and the focus is on communal well-being rather than individual gain. This is the reality for long-term intentional communities which thrive on a foundation of shared commitments and mutual support. By understanding the core commitments that sustain these communities, we can explore ways to integrate similar principles into our everyday lives, fostering cooperation and resilience in our neighborhoods.
Take some time to watch these enlightening videos about the Bruderhof community and The Farm (one religious and one ethically based). These videos provide a glimpse into the unique lifestyles and commitments that make these communities successful.
Patterns in Long-Term Intentional Communities
Intentional communities like the Bruderhof, Amish, Hutterites, Kibbutzim, and others share several fundamental characteristics. Despite their religious or ethical differences, these communities exhibit striking similarities in how they function and thrive. Key to their success is the practice of commitment pooling—where individuals combine their resources, labor, and values to achieve common goals.
In these communities, resources are shared, personal money is rarely used, and daily life is guided by strong religious or ethical principles. They are largely self-sufficient, with members engaging in economic activities that support the community. Decisions are made by committees, leaders or elders and everyone contributes services for the common good. A simple, modest lifestyle is emphasized, and the sense of shared purpose and mutual support is palpable.
Whether it's the Amish in the USA, the Hutterites in Canada, or the Kibbutzim in Israel or Kaya communities in Kenya, these communities show us that commitment pooling can create a resilient and supportive environment. The Findhorn Foundation in Scotland, Twelve Tribes communities worldwide, Damanhur in Italy, Auroville in India, and various Eco-villages globally all reflect these core values.
Fundamental Commitments in Intentional Communities
At the heart of these communities are commitments held in common that ensure their functionality and harmony:
Shared Resources: Members commit to sharing possessions and resources, fairly - reducing individual ownership in favor of communal wealth.
Collective Labor: All members contribute services fairly for the benefit of the community, ensuring that everyone's needs are met without personal financial gain.
Modest Living: There is an emphasis on simple and modest lifestyles, avoiding excessive consumption, addiction and focusing on sustainability.
Community Governance: Decision-making processes, whether consensus-based or hierarchical, are respected and adhered to by all members.
Economic Participation: Engaging in economic activities that support the community's self-sufficiency is a crucial commitment.
Ethical or Religious Adherence: Members live according to the ethical principles or religious beliefs that guide the community.
Conflict Resolution: Peaceful conflict resolution and mediation are integral to maintaining harmony.
Environmental Sustainability: Practices that protect and preserve the environment are prioritized.
Educational Engagement: Contributing to the education and upbringing of children within the community, focusing on shared values.
Social Cohesion: Fostering a sense of solidarity, mutual support, and cooperation among community members.
Cultural Preservation: Participating in and respecting the community’s cultural, spiritual, or religious rituals and traditions.
Non-Material Focus: Prioritizing relationships, spirituality, and personal growth over material wealth.
Health and Wellness: Promoting the physical and mental well-being of all community members.
Respect for Roles: Honoring and rotating the roles and responsibilities within the community.
Service Orientation: Performing acts of service and contributing to the wider society or environment as an extension of the community’s values.
Seeding Intentional Neighborhoods
While joining or forming isolated, self-sufficient communities might not be feasible for everyone, we can still apply these principles where we live. By fostering a sense of community and pooling commitments with our neighbors, we can build stronger, more resilient local networks.
In all the mentioned long-lasting intentional communities, the journey began with a crucial seed of capital that enabled the formation of their physical and social infrastructure. This initial seed funding facilitated the creation of shared resources and common spaces, laying the groundwork for cooperative living. Establishing a commitment pool with curated reciprocal drawing rights—where members can draw on pooled resources in return for their contributions—proved essential. This system ensured mutual support and sustainability, as it fostered trust, accountability, and a sense of collective ownership - in many cases as an evolution from top-down, gurus or religious leaders.
Imagine starting in your own neighborhood. Organize resource-sharing initiatives like a tool library or communal garden. Host community workdays for collective projects like neighborhood clean-ups or home repairs. Promote modesty and sustainability through workshops and community events. Facilitate open dialogues with regular meetings to discuss community issues and make decisions collectively. Support the local economy by buying from and supporting local businesses. Develop educational programs for children and adults focusing on community values and skills. Offer conflict resolution training to manage disputes peacefully. Implement health and wellness programs to promote physical and mental well-being.
Consider seeding a commitment pool as an initial liquidity investment in national currency, giving reciprocal drawing rights to local service providers. This can connect local service providers and act as a transition to local economic exchange, making the community more self-sufficient and resilient.
By understanding and embracing the commitments that make long-term intentional communities successful, we can transform our neighborhoods into cooperative and resilient spaces. The concept of seeding commitment pools offers a practical approach to initiating this transformation. Through collective effort and shared values, we can create thriving communities that prioritize well-being over individualism.
The stories and patterns of long lasting intentional communities inspire me and I hope they inspire us all to take the first steps toward building a more connected and supportive community right where we are.