We are an Essene/Nazarene (Judeo-Christian based) Christian Community. This means we expect Residents to embrace Conservative values of the Original Way. We are offering the opportunity to LIVE in an Essene Community that is based on those principles, including worship of the Almighty, organic food, veganic gardening, permaculture, Essene Biogenic Living, raw food, and The Way of Yashua Hamashiach, also known as our Christ Jesus. We encourage visitors to learn more about this particular path of Peace. We also embrace other paths of Peace that are in alignment with The Way. And we respect others to find their own like-minded and parallel alternate paths of Peace. We lead others by example, not by persuasion, nor propaganda.
As of now, we need strong and agile people to help build out many buildings and further establish and maintain our food forest and gardens. We are happy to share and teach skills. Live-work barter solutions for long term free living situation are available. Skilled labor may be reimbursed.
By this all people will know that you are My disciples: if you have love for one another.”
John 13:35 NASB
Principles & Rules
Fences make good neighbors. Community Principles & Rules keep friends friendly. Community Principles are general guidelines and do not encompass all conduct that acceptable. Residents are expected to use Common Sense and plain Good Old Fashioned Manners.*
…For truly I say to you, until heaven and earth pass away, not the smallest letter or stroke of a letter shall pass from the LAW, until all is accomplished! … whoever keeps and teaches them, he shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven.”
Matthew 5:17-19 NASB
1) We Follow a PLANT-BASED diet:
Residents and visitors must be willing to follow a cruelty-free and GMO-free vegetarian diet. Flesh and blood remains (AND human excrement WITH animal remains) attract vermin and not allowed onsite. (Food for carnivorous service animals is an exception). We believe humans were made fruitarian in G*D’s image as per Genesis. We do not need to sacrifice blood for our mortal survival.
Do not worry then, saying, ‘What are we to eat?’ or ‘What are we to drink?’ … for your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be provided to you.
Matthew 6:31-33 NASB
We follow The Way of Yeshua – the Northern Essene – The Nazarite – the Nazorean – who came from the line of Joseph, the first “Nazar” נְזִ֥יר (nə-zîr) distinguished tribe. We learn from the “Red Letters” of Yashua and his first apostles [and we abstain from the conflicting statements made by Saul-Paul]. We also learn from many other divinely inspired and wise human written books and texts.
We follow the PRE-Noah, Genesis 1:29 Garden of Eden Diet. This is NOT a strict vegan diet. One may see a member eat “ethical raw vegetarian style:” pasture-raised eggs, raw goat milk or cheese, and/or raw honey. However, we ask to keep our communal kitchen strictly VEGAN. Artificial flavors, artificial colors, industrial seed oils, or genetically modified ingredients can be harmful to our land and are not allowed.
Then God said, “Behold, I have given you every plant yielding seed that is on the surface of all the earth, and every tree which has fruit yielding seed; it shall be food for you; and to every animal of the earth and to every bird of the sky and to everything that moves on the earth which has life, I have given every green plant for food”; and it was so.
Genesis 1:29-30 NASBThen the LORD God said, “Behold, the man has become like one of Us, knowing good and evil; and now, he might reach out with his hand, and take fruit also from the tree of life, and eat, and live forever”
Genesis 3:22 NASB
All of the people in the Bible Up until Noah’s time were fruitarian. The post-Noah Diet (which we do NOT follow) includes animal flesh. Remember that just because G*D said it was acceptable in the Bible, does not mean we are “mandated” to eat flesh. And isn’t it interesting that other creatures will be terrorized by humans?
The fear of you and the terror of you will be on every animal of the earth and on every bird of the sky; on everything that crawls on the ground, and on all the fish of the sea. They are handed over to you. Every moving thing that is alive shall be food for you; I have given everything to you, as I gave the green plant. But you shall not eat flesh with its life, that is, its blood.”
Genesis 9:2-4 NASB
We innerstand that meat consumption can be a difficult habit to unhook from. It is ingrained in our culture and emotional memory. We become addicted to the salt and fat of the blood. If one is still eating meat, we suggest that they follow Kosher-Halal-Mosaic Law from Leviticus 11 which details the Laws about Animals for Food (in addition to mind-altering substances). If you are under the belief that you require animal flesh to thrive, we request that you release that ‘belief’ for a year or two before attempting to join our community. To assist you in your transition, we suggest you might treat animal flesh as a seasonal ceremonial meal only using meat raised with humane animal husbandry techniques or creatures that you have personally killed and butchered, so you experience the blood and trauma on a visceral level.
2) Substance & Emotional Sobriety
Residents are willing to release all habits that detract from connection to Christ Consciousness, such as excess smoking, drinking, drugging, excess food consumption, aggressive-vacuous-violent media consumption and disruptive or contrary behavior. No alcohol, commercial cigarettes, drugs or pharmaceuticals are allowed on premises without express prior permission.
…Do not drink wine or strong drink… it is a permanent statute throughout your generations—and to make a distinction between the holy and the profane, and between the unclean and the clean, and so as to teach the sons of Israel all the statutes which the LORD has spoken to them through Moses.”
Leviticus 10 NASB
Cigar or pipe ceremonial tobacco or other ‘combustibles’ and full-fermented beverage consumption (wine and ale) are considered to be for ceremonial special occasion and occasionally medicinal purposes.
Law of the Nazirites: …When a man or woman makes a special vow, namely, the vow of a Nazirite, to live as a Nazirite for the LORD, he shall abstain from wine and strong drink…”
Numbers 6:1-3 NASB
3) Personal Cleanliness:
External Cleanliness is expected in addition to Internal Purity . Residents agree to perform simple basic chores and keep communal areas of the property immaculate (kitchen/living/office/studios/bathrooms). Each resident is responsible for keeping their own space neat and clean. Each resident is responsible for cleaning up after themselves immediately. I.E. Dirty dishes will not stay in the sink! Coffee grounds should not linger in coffee maker. Personal items are not left strewn in public spaces. Tools are put back where they came from, etc.
…For you clean the outside of the cup and of the dish, but inside they are full self-indulgence… first clean the inside of the cup and of the dish, so that the outside of it may also become clean.”
Matthew 23:25-26 NASB
4) Common Courtesy:
There are no curfews, however, residents are expected to use courtesy and respect in their daily noise and light activities. If anyone requests (reasonably) that media or music be turned down, their request must be honored. Residents must alert neighbors if they intend to be gone for long periods of time and provide estimated time of return so we can look out for each other and each others’ property.
…‘YOU SHALL LOVE THE LORD YOUR GOD WITH ALL YOUR HEART, AND WITH ALL YOUR SOUL, AND WITH ALL YOUR MIND.’ This is the great and foremost commandment.
The second is like it, ‘YOU SHALL LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF.’ Upon these two commandments hang the whole Law and the Prophets.”
Matthew 22:37-40 NASB
Summary – the Four Agreements
These agreements summarize our approach to handling conflicts.
-
- Be Impeccable with your Word:
Speak with integrity. Say only what you mean. Avoid using the Word to speak against yourself or to gossip about others. Use the power of your Word in the direction of truth and love. - Don’t Take Anything Personally
Nothing others do is because of you. What others say and do is a projection of their own reality, their own dream. When you are immune to the opinions and actions of others, you won’t be the victim of needless suffering. - Don’t Make Assumptions
Find the courage to ask questions and to express what you really want. Communicate with others as clearly as you can to avoid misunderstandings, sadness and drama. With just this one agreement, you can completely transform your life. - Always Do Your Best
Your best is going to change from moment to moment; it will be different when you are healthy as opposed to sick. Under any circumstance, simply do your best, and you will avoid self-judgment, self-abuse, and regret.
- Be Impeccable with your Word:
Additional Notes & Questions
When do we experience “Community?
This community suggests a weekly or monthly Shabbat Gathering that starts on Friday. There will also be one Community Meeting per season (close to the Equinox and Solstice). Unless life threatening, personal issues should be tabled until meetings. We practice patience and friendly compromise until things can be handled with a Group Conscience.
For in the way you judge, you will be judged; and by your standard of measure, it will be measured to you. Why do you look at the speck that is in your brother’s eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye? Or how can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ and look, the log is in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your brother’s eye!
Matthew 7:2-5 NASB
Am I supposed to give up my old life?
No. On the contrary. Residents are expected to be actively working towards their life goals and are to support fellow residents in their respective individual ambitions. Residents are encouraged to facilitate an activity of their choice on a regular basis: meetings, exercise, yoga, music, crafts, martial arts, dance, teach/learning, or any activity that inspires the individual. Reservation of community facilities is given to Residents first.
But as for you, do not be called Rabbi; for only One is your Teacher, and you are all brothers and sisters. And do not call anyone on earth your father; for only One is your Father, He who is in heaven. And do not be called leaders; for only One is your Leader, that is, Christ.
Matthew 23:8-10 NASB
Can I bring a guest?
Please provide a courtesy heads-up in advance that someone is coming to visit during the day. ALL overnight guests are required to fill out an “intent to visit” form and abide by the request to contribute barter. Daytime guests and their subsequent behavior are the responsibility of those who invited them. Any visitor who is found to be unwilling to abide by the Community Rules, or appears under the influence or unstable will be asked to leave immediately.
But when the king came in to look over the dinner guests, he saw a man there who was not dressed in wedding clothes, and he *said to him, ‘Friend, how did you get in here without wedding clothes?’ And the man was speechless. Then the king said to the servants, ‘Tie his hands and feet, and throw him into the outer darkness; there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth in that place.’ For many are called, but few are chosen.”
Matthew 22:11-14 NASB
What happens to me if I behave badly?
Resident and guests agree to abide by all Community Principles without Exception. Any violation of principle is a potential cause for discharge of the Resident or Guest from the premises. Group Consciousness will have sole discretion to determine whether resident(s) have violated any of the Principles. Seed of Life reserves the unilateral right to ask a guest to leave without question nor justification. In the event that a Resident is discharged due to Group “safety” issues, the resident will pack their belongings and leave the property immediately It is up to the guest to innerstand the Way that has been breached without elaborate ‘nanny’ explanations. Rent is non-refundable for any reason. No exceptions. Discharged Residents may be readmitted subject to Group Consciousness approval.
Give me understanding, so that I may comply with Your Law, And keep it with all my heart.
Make me walk in the path of Your commandments, For I delight in it.”
Psalm 119 34-35 NASB
Can I smoke ceremonially or medicinally?
Absolutely. But no commercial cigarettes are allowed on premises. Ceremonial and sacred medicinal tobacco is acceptable and three locations on property are provided as “smoking” zones.
Can I bring my pet or service animal? Or tend animals onsite?
Animal kinship and stewardship is part of our mission. Just like human residents of the community, animal should have purpose and be a contributing, whether physical, economic or emotional support. However, if you are bringing a service animal with you, please advise us in advance. They must be treated and behave as the special animals they are. Leashed at all times and on good behavior with other guests and/or animals. Pets are to remain outside all Seed of Life owned buildings. (Privately owned vehicles, buildings on leased land is up to the owner’s discretion.) Resident is expected to provide appropriate shelter if needed.
Any member who desires to have livestock may do so, provided they supply a plan for the maintenance and upkeep of said livestock. Acceptable stock includes goats, bees, chickens, guinea fowl, fish, ducks, bats. Other livestock may also be considered.
- Resident is responsible for the care and maintenance and cleanup of their animal(s). Insufficient cleanup is grounds for dismissal.
- Dogs in shared community areas must be leashed at ALL times. No exceptions.
- All animals must be fed non GMO appropriate natural feed. No artificial colors, dyes, or additive ingredients.
- Birds or reptile are acceptable provided use to the community is justified.
- We already have two resident barn cats. Additional cats may be acceptable provided it remains full-time outside and is allowed to be a wild animal and get along with the resident cats.
Can I bring my firearm?
Legal gun ownership is allowed by Residents provided they are stored safely, locked and secured with ammunition stored separately. Guns are there to provide protection for residents and not to be used to harm animals.
Where can I park my vehicle?
You will be assigned a spot at or near your campsite. Once you are parked, we ask that you stay parked unless you are leaving the property. Vehicles may not be used for randomly driving from one part of the property to another unless they are being used to transport items. Vehicles parked on property must be operating. Mechanical work or storage of inoperable vehicles is not allowed on the Premises without prior approval.
Can I bring my storage trailer or other storage with me?
We are not a licensed storage facility. Please find a storage locker for excess belongings, or considered releasing yourself from items no longer needed. Resident shall store only personal property that Resident owns, and shall not store property that is claimed by another or in which another has any right, title or interest. Tenant shall not store flammable materials, explosives, or other dangerous material without express written prior consent.
I am struggling financially. Can you help me out?
Residents should be financially responsible. Potential Residents should be free from debt or have a viable working plan to be free from all debt within one year of application. Skilled labor may be paid for if arranged and agreed on in advance. Otherwise, Resident should be willing to find outside work to maintain financial independence.
What do I wear?
Residents are encouraged to follow a natural holistic approach to living: getting grounded, getting sunlight, establishing a daily meditative or gratitude practice. And this includes clothing. We ask that you refrain from petrochemical based clothing. We encourage white or light colors along with natural fibers such as linen, cotton, hemp, wool. blue cotton denim is also worn when doing demanding work.
I am anti-vax Is that okay?
That is more than okay. we are, too. The Seed of Life is a private membership commune that spiritually believes in G*D’s perfect creation of our Human Terrain. We strive for the TCM (Traditional Chinese Medicinal) approach to create “Health Beyond Danger.” Residents endeavor to keep their physical terrain free from external toxins and unnecessary injections and pharmaceuticals. If you have previously indulged in harmful toxins or “injections,” our community will support your detox as best as we can.
* The Seed of Life, Texas does not discriminate based on race, creed, color, sexual orientation, age or anything other than you be committed to radical and positive life change!