Cooperative Communities
Have you ever considered living in a cooperative community? For most of us the question most likely has not even crossed our minds. Yet for a growing number of people this question has been considered and many are choosing cooperative communities as an alternative to other forms of housing like condominiums. Religious cooperative communities like the Mount Madonna Center, which is located in the Santa Cruz Mountains, offer many positive benefits for its members. Financial benefits and a structured daily schedule are desirable to many of its members as well as the spiritual well being experienced while participation in their Yoga, Service, and Community programs. Cooperative communities have been around since the 1800's and will continue into the twenty first century as alternatives to the prevailing popular social order.Of all the different types of cooperative communities, religious based cooperatives have been the most successful and longest lasting. During the Middle Ages, "the Roman Catholic church had established monasteries all over Europe" (Encyclopedia Encarta). Some of these European monasteries are still in existence today. Certain sects were persecuted during the Protestant Reformatio
On the other hand working for pay does not necessarily mean that the person is not practicing Karma Yoga. The Center also serves the larger community through the retreats and seminars that they host. So a Karma Yogi's effort will never be a waste of time and energy. This makes home ownership available for some people who would otherwise not be able to financially. Finally the introduction to forest management/environmental awareness may be chosen by participants interested in observing and monitoring the dynamics of the forests and meadows surrounding the center as well as helping the community by build walking trails through some of the beautiful redwood forests. Cooperative communities can be a cost effective alternative to renting an apartment or owning a condominium. This is the most important distinction between a condominium and a cooperative. Its goal is to give participants an opportunity to enter the stream of community life and become involved in the ongoing activities of a community with the spiritual aims of yoga, meditation and service while leaning new skills. As explained by Baba Hari Dass, a lifelong practitioner of Ashtanga Yoga and spiritual leader of the Center, "The path of Karma Yoga or selfless service develops equanimity of the mind. Although the Center was founded just twenty-three years ago in 1978 it has survived to become a very successful cooperative that I believe will continue to thrive as an alternative to the prevailing social order of today. The school has an overall student to staff ratio of eight to one to create an environment where every student receives the attention and care that they need to grow intellectually. Participants may choose the introduction to Authentic Healing where participants will be exposed to a wide range of traditional healing modalities including Ayurveda, Oriental medicine, massage, and herbal remedies. Karma Yoga, which translates literally as yoga of action, is both an ideal and a practice. A membership committee made up of existing members of the cooperative must approve all prospective members. When a cooperative buys or builds a housing complex individuals can buy shares in the corporation, just like buying shares in any other company, but these shares entitle the owner to occupy a particular apartment or house within the complex.
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Acceptance Essays
