Building spiritual communities

Sirius (Massachussettes, USA) is an international and intentional spiritual community and a "centre for the evolution of consciousness". It was founded in 1978. Key principles are the honouring of the divine presence in each person and in all life and using everyday life as a spiritual teacher. Most community members live on the 35 hectare community land and support themselves by working in the community or in nearby towns. Ecological principles are applied, both scientifically and spiritually, in the use of resources, growing of food, construction of buildings and other daily life activities -- an objective being to strive to serve the good of the whole, balancing the needs of the individual with the needs of the community. Meditation is used as a vehicle for personal transformation and in the consensus decision making process.