1. Realize that the destructive energies on the planet are the result of highly organized, centralized, majority rule institutions who meet regularly. Also realize that these institutions we all support by depending on them for money, jobs, food, gas, political decision making etc.

2. Realize that by becoming equally involved in decentralized consensus holistic neighborhood councils that we can begin to take individual responsibility in creating peaceful balancing factors to help bring about the necessary changes in society that can help save the planet and create healthier, happier, freer, richer, and safer neighborhoods.

3. Openness to change on a positive level is part of the solution. Evolution instead of revolution.

4. Consensus circle council (instead of hierarchical majority rule council) creates more equality and cooperation and less competition. Consensus refers to unanimous agreement before action. It may take a little longer in the beginning; however, there will be less problems down the road. We know we don't agree on everything, but let's concentrate on what we do agree on and build a purpose or council together based on that agreement.

5. Decentralization is important. Dividing a group before it gets too big and centralized allows people to know each other better, thus developing a deeper trust and awareness of what is going on. By dividing groups into bio-regions and netting energies with other bio-regions nearby, we can localize our energies while at the same time we can be part of a broader plan of agreement. We suggest that groups divide when the council has more than 12 speaking members.

6. These consensus circle councils can operate similar to native American Indian councils with a few added improvements. A short silent prayer before speaking begins helps harmonize energies. By moving around the circle with a three minute hourglass timer we can allow each member equal time to speak while at the same time keeping an unobstructed flow in the communication. It is important not to interrupt each other while speaking so that the council stays relaxed and peaceful. More meetings and rotations allow us a chance to finish any uncompleted thoughts, ideas, etc. Bring a note pad and pencil to facilitate.

7. Starting with a small group of friends and experimenting with these concepts is fun and an important part of holistic life. Let each other know of any new improvements or additions to this plan. Aloha and peace.

As we evolve our awareness in consensus council and develop more equal individual responsibility and action together the need for leadership is replaced with peer group support efforts.

History has shown that well meaning leaders are quite often harassed by individuals and groups who feel threatened by positive change in society. By taking equal responsibility in consensus councils and decentralizing councils, this martyred leader pattern can be avoided. Small groups working together feel less threatening than large groups and will thus be left alone and become the necessary models we need to survive the fast changing times we live in.

The use of a three minute timer along with uninterrupted circle flow conversation may seem too formal to some people; however, as we change from the leader/follower duality to peer-group support, the uninterrupted equal time concept facilitates the more equal involvement of the group. People are not interrupting and competing for time and are therefore more relaxed and the focus stays directed toward the group as a whole instead of individual differences which can be settled outside the council. During the three minute speaking period, individuals may propose ideas, initiate voting, organize projects, give feedback to others, offer comments etc. Friends who are shy or unfamiliar may pass in the beginning.

As we begin to become familiar with this form of council with friends, our potential together becomes unlimited. We may begin to develop group visions and actions that go far beyond what we as individuals can accomplish. Here is a list of a few neighborhood common partnership goals we might consider pursuing together using this form of council:
   

child care	auto tools and shop	ecological action
land trusts	carpentry tools and shop	building projects
legal kitchen	music recording studio	barter fairs
home schooling	farmers market	fun gatherings
laundry facility	computer and communication	seed bank
coop businesses	etc., etc.,etc.,

As more and more councils in agreement form in an area or bio-region, we may begin to promote and encourage bio-regional councils. These bio-regional councils may have a monthly or yearly bio-regional gathering to promote peaceful celebration, world peace, positive interaction with neighbors, and the directing of energy towards specific issues of that particular bio-region. Rotating representatives from smaller councils may form a broader based bio-regional council. Before any binding agreements are reached by this council, they can be communicated back to each individual council and voted on. Once again, we recommend that these councils also contain 12 or less speaking individuals. As these broader based bio-regional councils continue to grow, we can begin to project an even broader based council forming in the future in the same way until the 12 tribes of is-real are united and the dream of world peace becomes reality.

COPYRIGHT: these pages may be copied provided the name and address of EARTH RE-LEAF, box 599, Naalehu, Hi. 96772, ph. 808-929-8003, email: fairness@hawaiiantel.net are left attached to each page, and also that no alterations in text are made, and it is not sold in any way. Thank you and aloha.

Intellectually, almost anyone will support the concept of natural living, but on the action level, only a very small percent have gone beyond the limitations of traditional, male-dominant (and now in western cultures, female-dominant also) hierarchy systems, which limit our ability to harmonize with nature and each other. For those who are serious about refining Natural living in extended family country situations, we may want to consider egalitarian consensus concepts over traditional male or female dominant hierarchies.

People who are seriously attempting egalitarian consensus will be wise to note that everyone is at a different degree or level of awareness and skill with natural living. The idea of everyone being equal doesn't exist completely, so it's good to look at a system of cooperation that takes into consideration inequalities and yet prevents traditional co-dependency factors and expectation games.

Some groups have a type of arrangement for involvement with each other which allows for inequality. They divide groups of new members according to the level of awareness and skill that they have thus far achieved. Each level or degree has upward mobility and supports and contributes to the other levels but stays somewhat separate or independent of the others. A natural family may be open and cooperative with all levels but remain reserved with each other until a similar level of equality or likeness or trust is attained. This process helps prevent a co-dependent or leader/follower mentality.

Having a training or teaching program like natural boy/girl scouts with tests for different skills or levels can allow all levels access to knowledge and skills etc. at the time and rate that they are ready for. Decisions relating to this degree level can be determined by a consensus council.

Under-emphasis on basic "rootsy" or natural survival skills and staying too connected to mainstream hierarchal society is an evolutionary dead end, but it's ok and everyone deserves the freedom to choose the time and rate of growth in their life.

Many traditional city people have hidden fears and serious problems relating to nature and need to be taught how to slowly attune to and trust nature more. Only then can we learn to trust ourselves and each other and go beyond co-dependency.

One of the main tests of natural spiritual evolution and one of the main fears is spending time alone in nature. All spiritual explorers have a period of hermitage when solitude in nature allows them to challenge or go beyond dependence on a "big brother" to guide them. In various aboriginal societies, "vision quests" (fasting and solitary journeys into the wilderness to find one's destiny) have been central to the rites of puberty.

Until we challenge nature in such a way, we will continue to look for "big brothers", "heroes", and other such hierarchical limitations. By supporting a degree system for natural families, we can also create a social hermitage which reduces the fears surrounding nature by having like minds learning and sharing knowledge together.

Being a "Jack or Jane of all trades and master of some" is different than traditional specialized city dwellers are programed or used to, and for some may take considerable time, but the sooner we start, the more hope there will be to save this beautiful planet.

Seeking a small family rather than a large community is a good beginning process. Having regular council within family, allowing everyone equal time to speak without interruption is a fairness factor that greatly adds to success. At EARTH RE-LEAF we are dedicated to these principals, as well as investing in land trusts and "soft" technologies.

COPYRIGHT: These pages may be copied provided the name and address EARTH RE-LEAF, box 599, Naalehu, Hi., ph. 808-929-8003, email: fairness@hawaiiantel.net are left intact and that the text is not altered, and that the text is not sold in any way. Thanks and aloha.

Aloha friends, we receive lots of inquiries investigating our plan for natural extended family. Please keep in mind that most consensus families are going through challenging paradigm shift resistance that will only dissolve when natural family seekers bring with them at least some serious enthusiasm and organizational spirit.

Consensus will only succeed with a group effort of responsible action. Traditional society operates with leaders and followers, this is our conditioning and programing from early childhood. Due to this fact and the ungrounded unnatural trends in modern society these days, few people are seriously ready to settle down and live a simple natural life. Everyone wants to and talks about it, but in reality only a very small percent are ready to organize and stay with the process that is required for success.

If one is serious and fortunate enough to find a group of people who seem ready or in action one is blessed already. Many attempts at natural consensus family are in the beginning stages and may involve one or two serious initiator types who are willing to set things up to get the ball rolling, while visitors and inexperienced people come by to check it out off and on, such is the case here. It may take years to develop the necessary trust it requires to make a successful model but for some it is well worth the effort and never too late to start.

Please keep in mind that we are not a business, like most grassroots organizations we operate on a shoestring budget and would like to expand our operations to include more people. If these concepts appeal to you and sound like a logical solution to many of our world problems and individual problems please consider joining our efforts personally and/or mailing a small CASH donation of 1-5 dollars and we will put you on our mailing list and keep you informed. You may send this CASH donation to EARTH RE-LEAF, Box 599, Naalehu, Hi. 96772. If you would like to make a larger donation contact us for how to send it. Larger donations can be applied to education and visitation rights at our simple, humble, small, rustic retreat here in Hawaii.