The Second Renaissance theory of change envisions a deep-rooted transformation towards a cultural paradigm of inner growth, wisdom, and interbeing.
What do you imagine a society grounded in interbeing would look like? What would day-to-day life look like? What would it feel like? What would institutions and establishments look like? What are steps we might take now towards that vision?
(For a brief introduction to “interbeing”, a term coined by Zen Buddhist teacher Thich Nhat Hanh to describe the radical interconnectedness of all life, see here: Seeds of a Second Renaissance Issue 6 (July 2025) – Thích Nhất Hạnh on Interbeing)
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To explore that in practice, I’ve lately volunteered here: https://www.larchetahomahope.org/ Yesterday I worked with a group weeding tomatoes. Also had a chat with one of the branch founders who helped launch this particular community about 43 years ago.
A daily work party involves both core community members and external volunteers. One thing the community does before starting chores is a daily check-in in a circle with introductions and answering the question, “how are your mind, body, spirit today?”. Yesterday also we had a blessing ceremony at the end for a member who is moving elsewhere after a couple years on the farm.
To sum up, the core principle is relationship. People to people and people to land. I got dizzy weeding too much in the sun so I lay on the grass and got the blood back to my head. The rooster is crowing in the background the whole time. Overhead, barn swallows cavort.
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Ah, nice, @RobertBunge. I’ve heard of the L’Arche communities before.
The daily work party starting with a check-in also reminds me of Findhorn (I went to the Experience Week a couple of years ago). And collective care (cooking, cleaning, and gardening together) and regular check-ins are also a core part of living at the Life Itself Hub in Bergerac – tending to collective emotional and physical wellbeing together.