ESC: Living Alternatives - Friedenshof Community

We are a small interreligious community (8 adults), that takes inspiration from the ideals and values of the Arche according to Lanza del Vasto, viz.: – building relationships in the spirit of non-violence, – searching for coherence between thoughts and actions, – having respect for the otherness of the Other, – cultivating collectivity, – simplifying life, – being dedicated to more justice and peace, – cultivating freedom of opinion and freedom of expression In addition, we are inspired by the Buddhist teacher Thich Nhat Hanh, the Christian-ecumenical Taizé- community and teachers of other spiritual traditions. Our home is an old farm north of Hannover. We endeavor to ensure careful interactions with each other and with nature, a simple way of life and a spiritual connection in everyday life. We pursue meaningful work on the farm and outside of the farm, and we share our earnings in the form of a solidarity-based economy. A joint daily routine creates the framework for our common life. Our most important activities are: – making a place and a structure available for common life – doing meaningful work in the rhythm of the four seasons, the festivals, the personal needs as well as the needs of the community – occupying, discovering and creating different work areas and testing oneself in exciting projects – establishing a welcome culture in the admission process of guests and volunteers – organising and conducting seminars – providing space and infrastrucure (meals, guest rooms) for seminars and workshops – maintaining appropriate animal welfare standards (for sheep, chickens and bees) and processing the sheep milk – cultivating ecological vegetables, herbs and flowers, as well as maintaining fruit trees ecologically – processing fruits and vegetables from the garden – restoring/renovating/rebuilding of the old buildings according to ecological guidelines – providing space fore silence and meditation The reasons why our guests and volunteers come to us vary greatly, because at our place, a variety of needs can be met. Our guests and volunteers are people – who would like to experience religious openness – who would like to flee from the chaos of the world of consumption and the world of work, who would like to try a different art of working and who would like to become more familiar with new work areas – who would like to become familiar with community life – who are looking for retreat and recovery – who find themselves in a phase of reorientation and refocusing in their lives – who take an active part in a special seminar We share our talents and our characters, our time, our joy and sorrow, our money. That entails a transformation process, as we were raised in a world where one only takes care of oneself, and at the most, for one's closest relatives. We notice that this transformation is worthwhile: we experience personal inner growth, and we enjoy a bigger freedom with regard to external obligations. Beyond these perceptible benefits, there is a 'Miracle of Community' that is difficult to convey. Perhaps you can experience it a little, when youcome here.