Quintessence-
The Communion of Relatedness

Core Radiance – The Truth
The Truth is as it Is. The Truth is simply So, silent and utterly still. There is no room for compromise in Truth. Truth goes nowhere and moves for no-one. All else moves around Truth. The core principle of the Shekinashram is living Truth. Whilst there is total allowance of all beings to be as they are, perfectly themselves and unique, the core principles of the Ashram will not be compromised to suit ‘egoic’ needs. All states of consciousness, emotional feelings, mental concepts, intuitive insights, and physical states revolve around the Truth. All these things change, the Truth however remains the same throughout. The core of the Ashram reflects the Truth. Those who enter into the Ashram do so because they are drawn to that which is already there, and are there to change themselves. When challenges arise it is often the case that the challenged individual would find it easier in the short term if the other would change to suit it. In the case of the Ashram this will not be possible, unless of course the Ashram has ceased to reflect the Truth in which case it will be open to change.

When I first envisaged the Ashram I was given a very clear view of how things were to be. Most importantly the Ashram would be a place where Truth resides unqualified. I knew that quality was more important than quantity, and that if I were to live in solitude in Truth, this would be of more value than to live together in an Ashram with others in a way that did not reflect absolute Truth. Having deepened my own commitment to living Truth and understanding the consequences of that, I became ready to extend the parameters of my solitude to include another which is Jay, my wife. We have lived together in ‘community’ for over three years now and have experimented extensively with ways to live in Truth. We live in a mutual understanding of what is True, whilst also acknowledging that which is relatively true from the individuals perspective. ‘Relatively true’ does not mean ‘absolutely True’ but true in the sense that it is the truth of our experience in that moment. This is honoured as an expression of our unique nature though nonetheless it is still ultimately recognised as a story with which we have become identified and therefore is only relatively true. We live harmoniously (though not without challenge) in the mutual understanding of what is True based on direct Realisation of the same Truth. When challenge and conflict arise, we are open to its presence and deal with it openly there and then in full understanding. Each of us is committed to the Truth of it regardless of our personal egoic stories. This way there is allowance of what is, without the need to repress or philosophically transcend. There is no right or wrong, there is no judgement, we simply know the difference between what is True and what is relatively true. Our total commitment to the Truth, no matter what, is key. Having allowed the conflict space to be and be heard, it effortlessly dissolves in the face of our commitment leaving only that which is True remaining. Having lived these principles and realised the Truth to be our inherent condition we are ready to extend this reflection to others in an authentic way. Consequently we are now a core group of six living together in recognition of these principles, and willing to live them absolutely committed to living Truth in Community.

There are many communities that operate successfully using their chosen method of structure, implemented as a means to fulfil their overall intention. Some communities use co-operative consensus, others are structured by powerful egoic hierarchies, and there are those which are overseen by gurus and Avatars whose realisation is the guiding force behind the structure. All methods have success to one degree or another, though I understand that there is still another way. This groundbreaking way is what we are exploring here. A living community which is established in Truth, which reflects Truth in a relentless flow not dependant upon any one individual alone to offer that reflection, but by the commitment of all individuals present to living impeccably honestly as a reflection to others. A space where each individual is taking responsibility for the choices they make, for seeding their intention to awaken to the Truth beyond all else. This methodology does not totally exclude those mentioned above but instead intends to utilise a balanced blend of each.