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| A picture of the workings of natural ventilation in an Earthship. Schematic was based on a picture found in the book "Earthship Vol 2: Systems and Components by Michael Reynolds (Photo credit: Wikipedia). |
Have you heard of the Sustainable Living movement? Earthships? Yea, those cool alien looking houses in far-away places.
Chances are that you have. Earthships may be coming to a neighborhood nearby and it might be sooner than you think.
We think of our homes today as 'traditional' but are they really? I say 'traditional' in quotes because it is the Earthship that is a traditional dwelling; in harmony with the earth, environment and climate.
It is my goal and dream to reside in an Earthship at some time in the near future.
I had the opportunity to visit the birthplace of Earthships outside of Taos NM. It was a life-changing visit. One of my goals is to make one of these magnificent dwellings my home. Sound easy? Perhaps it is easier now but this was not always the case.
Founder, Architect and Engineer Michael Reynolds has made sustainable living his life's work. For 40 years, Reynolds has been battling legislation, government and big business for the right to build and live free in sustainable communities.
Earthship Defined
An Earthship is defined by having all of the 6 following principles; thermal/solar heating and cooling, solar and wind electricity, self-contained sewage treatment, building with natural and recycled materials, water harvesting and food production.
With all of this technology available it becomes a question of why isn't there more Earthships being built? Without getting into all of the political and governmental issues and restrictions, I believe the answer is power struggle.
Power and Balance
In order to live in harmony individuals must relinquish the 'need for total control'. When the need to be in complete control - or have power over - has been let go of, then balance, harmony and partnership will naturally occur.
It's true that in many situations the balance of power is skewed or weighted one way or another - a natural progression - that goes both ways depending on what the situation is. This is a natural balancing act.
Think of a stream and how it meanders through the landscape. At times the stream is more powerful due to heavy rains and the landscape gives in to the excess water. The reverse is also true; when the stream dries up or has less water flowing - the landscape extends its boundaries, grass, flowers and such. The stream and the landscape are in partnership with each other - each allowing for the other's excess when necessary.
The power struggle I refer to is the absolute need for control even though there are better solutions available; to be in control just for the sake of being 'right' in other words.
Living with and in an Earthship is like the stream and landscape. The Earthship and individual live in partnership with the climate, earth, environment and each other. By its very nature, the Earthship is a biosphere which requires stewardship in order to thrive.
Stewardship ...
Whether we know it or not, we are all stewards of the area in which we occupy. No matter whether you live in a house, apartment, city or in a rural area; stewardship remains constant. The quality of stewardship changes as we change.
The Power to Enact Change!
Residing within everyone of us is the power to enact change. My dream is to live in an Earthship and that will happen. It may not be the dream of others. No matter what your dream is, you can still affect and enact change. Enact change by recycling, education, choosing alternative modes of transportation. Engage in activities that support harmony.
The Hundredth Monkey Phenomenon
If everyone made small changes by becoming aware, this new awareness is communicated from mind to mind when a critical number is reached. The number is not exact in every situation but the phenomenon is constant and is referred to as "the Hundredth Monkey Phenomenon". When only a few individuals know of a new way it stays with those individuals ... when it is passed along - even to only one more person - the energy field opens and is accessible to all. Be the POWER OF ONE!
Enjoyed this resource? Deidre Lin invites you to read more about the art of Healthy Lifestyles for mind, body and spirit at http://www.transformx.com
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