Day three in Taos NM and we were in need of some spiritual soaking. So we drove twenty miles up into the mountains, crammed in the back of the 4-wheeler we were lucky to have, as the bus would've struggled hard to make it up the old mountain roads. We arrived at the Lama Foundation mid-afternoon, a vast stretch of 109 acres of land tucked between the Sangre de Cristo mountains and the Carson National Forest. The breathtaking views had us all gasping for air and in shear wonderment (the altitude mixed with our love of tobacco may have also played a roll in this.)
The Lama foundation is a beautiful and sacred place. It was founded in 1967 by Steve Durkee, Barbara Durkee and Jonathan Altman as a safe place for people of all religions to come and find common peace, study, share, grow, and practice together. The purpose of the Lama Foundation is to be a sustainable spiritual community and educational center dedicated to the awakening of consciousness, spiritual practice with respect for all traditions, service, and stewardship of the land.” Many wonderful spiritual leaders have come through these mountains, including Ram Das who in 1970 presented the founders of the Lama Foundation with a manuscript which they collectively translated into “Be Here Now;” a book that has transformed the lives of many. The profits earned from this project and other collective works have kept the Lama Foundation funded throughout the years.
The grounds feature beautiful permaculture gardens, an open community kitchen, a dome building for practice, classes, and gatherings, and a field of tent housing. In 1996 a wildfire ripped through these mountains; scared trees stick out like matchsticks on the cliff sides. People have come together year after year to help rebuild the infrastructure that was lost, and by using the bruised trees themselves, as well as clay, straw, and other natural materials, they are building sustainable foundations that are inline with their mission statement to be stewards to the land.
The structure of the organization is quite open. With no “leader” and a very open mission statement, the Lama Foundation is supported and guided by the volunteers and residents living on site at the time. Every decision is made by a consensus vote taken unanimously by all participants. This process is one of the reasons why we were restricted in our ability to film and interview, as it's massively productive to keeping the residents and visitors feeling safe and, most importantly, involved. Everyone has a job to do at Lama, whether it is cooking a meal, running the small store, milking the goats, running a lecture, etc. In this format of ever-shifting consciousness, you can feel welcome no matter your spiritual practice. We certainly did!
We were invited to stay for dinner, a meal which put me close to tears, as the love, care, and wholesome joy could be tasted in every bite. Everyone sat together at long picnic tables, sharing stories and philosophies, journeys and experiences. I sat listening to these tales and felt my body absorb the nutritious rice and delicious Dal dish. As the bell rang and everyone sat up to help clean, not one crumb was left or one plate left undried, all placed carefully away in their respective nooks. Here, solidarity and family intentions are present beyond the basic human need to eat, talk, and keep house together.
But mostly what we found here was a community of openness, communication, stewardship, and passion that has been able to survive for over 50 years. Through fires, harsh winters and isolation, the Lama Foundation has not just survived but thrived. Their welcome and open nature to strangers like us was truly inspiring and heartwarming. I can only continue to hope that others are able to learn from these open and well rehearsed practices, seeing how truly productive the spirit of all-inclusiveness and communal values can be. This is a community of ever-rotating individuals living together and working towards the change they wish to see in the world. Whether they are participating for the day or for the season, everyone is fully involved, immersed, and passionate. This is a place where apathy simply cannot survive.
Words by - Ren.
Photos by - Raychel
 
The drive from Las Vegas, Nevada was a long, hot, and slow journey out of what we dubbed “Death Valley.” Averaging somewhere around 35 miles an hour, the JB welds on our radiator were popping faster then our packs of Emergen-C. Sick, hot, low on water and killed by time, we drove through Arizona and New Mexico almost in silence. If there were any lands for us to hold our breath in, this was it. Snailing through Zion National Park, Navajo lands, the sacred Four Corners, and over the Continental Divide, our pace may have reduced our spirits but the lands did not cripple us. We knew we were safe as the beauty of the ancient rocks embraced and humbled us. Then, climbing the mountains to unveil a beautiful green valley, we arrived in the town of Taos knowing we would find friends, yet unaware of where and when.
We dropped the bus at Aaron K's out on the Mesa (the Mesa is a vast stretch of sage brush desert about 30 minuets outside of Taos. It is home to many who choose to live life for themselves, off the grid, but more on that later.). Aaron had seen and worked on the bus before when the Vermont Joy Parade had rolled through town a few years earlier. This and Aaron's assurance gave us much hope to a speedy recovery, so we settled into town with good faith that our trusty home would be out of the doc's in no time.

We were lucky enough to find a cheap motel, rental car that fit us all (two in the hatchback trunk), and a beautiful cafe with welcoming patrons and employees who quickly gave us the lay of the land. Displaced from our bunks and mobility we made the Wired? Cafe our home and were able to start uploading and editing again. Messages of love from friends and followers who missed us during our desert solitude quickly uplifted our spirit. We created a new website that we believe portrays our mission and journey more efficiently. We have added an interactive survey we hope you will all take the time to fill out so we can add your dreams to the Manifesto. 
We were invited to camp out on the land of Elliot Haas , whose love of permaculture has created a beautiful oasis North of town. Amongst glorious ponds, gardens, and willow trees we set up our still playa-dusted tents and cuddled for warmth in the cold desert nights. Our time with Elliot, a proficient master on many levels, reminded us of the wonder and glory that working with the land has on the soul. We stuffed our faces with exotic sea buckthorn berries from his garden and felt our energy levels incline and our fevers break. 
Our stay in Taos re-mystified our souls, stripped us of our melancholy, and put us back in pace. As time itself seemed to wax and wane, one day turned into ten days and then became ten minuets. We were lucky to find old and new friends, joy, love, and smiles all throughout the Land of Entrapment. Hot springs and welcoming hugs reminded us all why we got on the bus five short (and long) weeks ago. The ole' bus got herself a nice sealed up radiator and a much needed tire rotation. One long deep breath later and we are on the road again, and our glasses aren’t just half full, they are overflowing.
Words by- Ren
Photos by - Raychel