Tao Fellowship’s Sedona Mago Garden – Using Resources Wisely

Tao Fellowship Mago Garden

When a place like Tao Fellowship’s Sedona Mago Garden welcomes 3,000 guests a year to its 160-acre earth village full of 126 guest rooms to accommodate 250 guests along with other buildings,  one can image all the resources it uses – such as food, water, paper products, linens and towels, and many other supplies.

Because the Tao Fellowship in its organizational DNA is committed to respecting the Earth, it has been very active in finding out how to conserve its resources as a way of “loving the Earth,” as its mission statement says.

Here are some of the numerous ways that the Tao Fellowship’s Mago Garden  has been creative in how to be sustainable:

Tao Fellowship’s Dining Hall generates 14,600 gallons of compost a year for in the Organic Garden. In addition, manure from the Tao Fellowship’s Horse Barn is added to the compost to fertilize the soil of the Organic Garden.

Vegetarian meals (with fish) are served in the Tao Fellowship’s Dining Hall, thus using less of the world’s food resources.

In season, various vegetables and fruit grown in Tao Fellowship’s Organic Garden are served in the Dining Hall.

Paper towels and toilet paper from recycled materials are planned by Tao Fellowship.

Tao Fellowship’s Casita Guest Rooms linens from recycled fibers are planned.

Recycling system for paper, plastic and glass is being planned by Tao Fellowship.

Ecologically friendly cleaning supplies at Tao Fellowship’s Mago Retreat are under serious consideration.

Ecologically friendly propane in Tao Fellowship’s Dining Hall kitchen is planned.

Rechargeable batteries for wireless devices are planned by Tao Fellowship.

Electricity is saved, because the Casita Guest Rooms do not have televisions and telephones.

Installation of large solar panels at the Mago Retreat for providing electricity for all buildings is planned.

You may have been taught to believe that your genes determine
what you will become. This can be especially disempowering
when you hear that you may inherit the diseases of your parents
and grandparents. However, a whole new line of thinking
is emerging from biological science. Now, biologists realize that
genes are not the only players in the intercellular game that decides
your personal health.

As it turns out, the membrane that surrounds the cell may be
more important than genes in determining your state of health.
The cell membrane senses and responds to the surrounding environment.
In other words, it is the brain of the cell, receiving
and interpreting messages from the body. But who talks to your
cells on behalf of your body, telling them how to act? It is the
same element that talks to your organs-telling your heart to
beat and your lungs to breathe. It is your brain.

From Brain Wave Vibration

It can be hard to stand back and really see ourselves as we are. We tend to filter our conception of self through many layers of judgment and wishful thinking. Use this exercise to see yourself from an objective point of view. Describe yourself from the perspective of some non-human thing, such as your couch or your dog. How do you appear from this perspective? Be as honest and complete as possible, referencing your character, appearance, and behavior. Try this from several different perspectives.

From in full bloom by ilchi lee

As you get older, it is as important that you have a dream for your life as it was when you were young. You may have a better chance of achieving it, now that the basics needs of life-financial security, starting a career, raising a family, etc. – are no longer of primary importance to you. So, before you close this book up and put it back on the shelf, make sure that you have developed a vision for yourself. Make a plan for who you want to be one, five, or ten years from mow. This does not have to mean starting a new career or taking on some huge project(but that is okay, too). More importantly, it means becoming the kind of person you really want to be in terms of character and your interaction with the world around you. If you have ever thought to yourself, “I want to leave the world a better place than I found it,” now is the time to act on that desire.
To find your vision, find what really fills you with a sense of joy and contentment. For most, this will probably involve contributing something of value to your community or the world. Don’t be afraid to set your goal high and to dream big.

Smiling meditation

The act of smiling produces positive changes in your brain. THis exercise combines that fact with a relaxing meditative exercise.

1. Sit comfortably and shrug your shoulders up and down several times to relax.
2. Breathe in and out several times, massaging your face to release the tension in your facial muscles.
3. Breathe in, close your eyes gently, and breathe out while forming a slight smile. Breathe in and out deeply and naturally.
4. When breathing out, combine your exhale with a widening smile. Repeat this several times, focusing on the motion of the smile on your face as a light breath escapes through your lips like a gentle wind.
5. Slowly shift your consciousness to your brain and feel your brain become lighter and more refreshed when you breathe out with a smile.