I know. Bliss consciousness might sound like something from the new-age or a Hindu teaching. But you know, there is wisdom in the teachings of the Hindu’s and the new agers. We can find truth in all religions. We just need to figure out–is this compatible with the truth of who Jesus is.

I’m thinking of the scripture,

Matthew 6: 25 “Because of this I say to you, you shall not take pains for yourselves with what you will eat, or what you will drink, neither for your body, what you will put on; behold, is not the soul greater than food, and the body than clothing?26Behold the birds of the sky, that they neither sow nor reap, neither do they gather into barns, and your Father who is in Heaven sustains them; behold, are you not better than they? 27But who of you, while taking pains, is able to add a foot and a half to his stature? 28And why are you taking pains about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow without laboring or weaving. 29But I say to you, not even Solomon in all his glory was clothed like one of these. 30But if God so clothes the grass of the field that is today and will fall into the oven tomorrow, does he not multiply more to you, Oh small of faith? 31Therefore do not be concerned or say, ”What will we eat?’, or ”What will we drink?’, or, ”What will we wear’? 32For the Gentiles are seeking all these things, but your Father who is in Heaven knows that all these things are necessary for you. 33But seek first the Kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.

34Therefore you shall not be concerned about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be concerned for itself. A day’s own trouble is sufficient for it.”

If we really can live in the present moment, not ever worrying, but feeling confident that our Father will provide everything for us that we need–isn’t that bliss consciousness?

But in order to let go of this worry, and be in the present, we do need to seek first the Kingdom of God and his righteousness.

I think that righteousness means we need to be living according to universal principles that align with God’s will.

God’s will is that all of life will thrive. The garden of Eden was a place where no animal was killed. Even the animals didn’t kill each other.

Genesis 1:30-31: “And to every beast of the earth and every bird of the air and every creature that crawls upon the earth—everything that has the breath of life in it—I have given every green plant for food.” And it was so. 31And God looked upon all that He had made, and indeed, it was very good. And there was evening, and there wasmorning— the sixth day.“

Since monastics will be eating a plant-based diet, we are making a huge contribution to the planet and all of life. We are living in a way that helps all of life to thrive.

In addition, we will live as simply as possible so that our footprint on the earth makes little impact. We will aim to use electric vehicles and off the grid power. We will grow our own food without animal inputs, and do our best to grow enough for our community and have left overs to give and sell. I am so happy that my gardening has helped me to now to eat about 50% or more of what I grow. Winter squash, tomatoes, and a multitude of domestic and wild greens are my main staples. I hope to be gleaning some apples from a neighbor’s trees very soon–something I did last year with great benefits.

I want our monastic community to demonstrate to the world a way of living that is joyous and simple. Many people are finding that they are happier after downsizing and simplifying. The tiny house movement is flourishing. Increasing numbers of people are learning to live out of their cars or vans. I love the creativity of these people and their desire to focus on more meaningful things than working at jobs they don’t like.

We will be involved with politics, and work to elect officials who support the freedoms guaranteed by the constitution. Right now I am listening to and sharing a lot of information about what is going on with our government because I think it is a historical moment where people are waking up to what is going on behind the scenes that is corrupt. There are few politicians who are advocating the kind of simple living that we will live, but I always want to lead a group that is ahead of the mainstream. We are early adopters. We are trend-setters. We will help this beautiful movement of people who are often left-leaning–to impart the positive parts of their efforts to the conservatives who might be stuck in policies that are not benefitting the earth and the animals.

I feel excited about possibilities the energy that we can generate as we encourage each other to live in ways that, if everyone in the world lived this way, all could thrive. We will have the goal of helping creating a community near our monastery where people who are called to the house-holder lifestyle can live. We can help them find a balance between family and spiritual life, living close to the earth while still helping our country and the world be a place where everyone can have their own little piece of land where they can thrive.

We are so blessed to have been able to buy this acreage. My two former husbands and I found Living Springs in a most miraculous way 20 years ago. Because of owner-financing and sweat equity, plus reasonable mortgage payments and inexpensive land–we were able to pay off the 27 acres we bought. Now, Cliff (former husband number one) owns his third of the land, and I own the rest. Robert and I are working out how he can be steward of the part of the land that will be for householders.

I want to see how many people can live on land and have enough privacy to feel happy, and enough connection to feel happy as well. I think paradise is where people can have a bit of land where they can pour their beautiful energy and love into growing plants and trees. I hope that we can transition from animal husbandry to only growing plant food. But for now, I understand that people aren’t ready. Therefore people need space to grow chickens and perhaps cooperate to grow larger animals.

I feel so blessed to have stewardship (in the form of a deed) over this land, and want it to be a place where everyone can feel blissful all the time as we help each other, celebrate together, share our joys and sorrows. The sorrows will be sweet as we support each other. Eventually, our sorrows will be more for those who do not know Jesus, and who do not have a healthy life-style as we have–rather for ourselves

I want to be able to welcome the hungry, the sick, the hurting eventually. I believe that someone with the gift of mercy will come and we can trust this group or person enough to allocate some land for a missionary effort because Jesus does make it clear that we are to help the widows, the orphans, and those who are left behind. The early Christians were able to do this generously and that is one of the reasons that their movement spread so fast.

Yes, we will all feel blissful as we work and play together, and share our love with others. I am getting closer to feeling that way even though I do not have the people to share life with that I envision. I feel overjoyed that Robert (former husband number 2 who is my close neighbor) are increasingly cooperative. He is very supportive of my goal of having a monastery. He wants to help out with things like off the grid power and water and other logistics. And to live as a helpful neighbor.

If you are interested in exploring living in bliss consciousness–and that does include resolving conflicts and doing emotional healing–I hope you will look into this blog more deeply. If you feel aligned, please do contact me and apply for being a pioneer resident. I am envisioning that if just 2 people join me in living this life, we can attract many more people with the beautiful energy that we create.