WindSpirit Community :: Communities Directory

Formed: 1993 Established: 1995

This page last updated:2/8/2011

WindSpirit Community

Winkelman, Arizona,

United States

Wind Spirit is in its 14th year. It has been a journey through every emotion along with many years of hard but satisfying physical work. Living here at Wind Spirit, as with most communities, can be challenging, but it offers experiences showing the many facets of human nature while working together and living close to nature.

We have learned that the community thrives best with people who understand what it means and are able to commit to the community and to their fellow members. Being realistic about the finances it takes to run a community, openly and authentically communicating with each other, and being willing to work together for everyone’s benefit will carry Wind Spirit and its members forward, as we take care of each other, our community, and ultimately our planet.

We live simply and work towards a lifestyle that is sustainable in the way we build, the food we eat, and how we use other resources. Our choices reflect Gandhi’s direction to “live simply so that others may simply live.” Although our days may be filled with day-to-day chores and challenges that arise, we remember to embrace joy and laughter, keep ourselves in balance, and have fun along the way. Our simple lives, though inexpensive, are actually filled with richness. Many mainstream friends laugh and don’t think it is possible to live on what we do here while also having such a wonderful quality of life.

We are located less than two hours from Tucson or Phoenix in a beautiful valley amidst mountain ranges on land that was once part of the Christmas Star Community. On our 16 acres we are blessed with an amazing landscape, with over 60 varieties of mature organic fruit and nut trees, along with all the native species of the area. The elevation here is 2,700 ft, providing us with a year-round growing season for vegetable gardens as well. One of the few large rivers in Arizona, the Gila, is less than five miles away and is fun for kayaking and other water activities. Friends sometime say we do not live in the desert; we do, but under a canopy of trees, in a forest, an oasis.

There are more sunny days here than in most areas in the country, so we use many solar devices. We use permaculture principles, rainwater collection, and greywater systems, and we continually explore ways to live with as little impact as we can without being extreme. The important thing is that we are constantly moving in a direction of harmony with nature.

Website: http://www.windspiritcommunity.org/

Contact:

Wind Spirit Community
4514 E.Dripping Springs Rd.
Winkelman, Arizona 85292 United States

Community location is placed at the center of the zip/postal code, city/state, or city/country (not based on street addresses)

Former/Other Names: formerly Christmas Star

This page last updated:2/8/2011

Visitors Accepted

(We have an active visitor program)

Visitor Process: Look over our website to see if you are compatible with our vision. Contact one of the members listed on the site vie email or letter and then call for a brief interview.

Network Affiliations:

Fellowship for Intentional Community

Statement of Housing Non-discrimination:

Our community does not discriminate in regards to housing based on race/color, national origin, religion, sex/gender, family status (i.e. having children, not having children, or being pregnant), disability, marital status, sexual orientation, ancestry, source of income, age, creed, personal appearance, political affiliation, HIV infection, military/veteran status, unfavorable military discharge, gender identity or expression, receiving public assistance, or being the victim of domestic abuse.

Population Members(adults and children): 7 Non-member Residents: 5 (This changes seasonally 10 - 25) Open to new members: Yes	Government Decision Making: By consensus (Consensus among members. Long term visitors have input except on major issues.) Identified Leader: No Leadership Core Group: Yes	Labor and Money Financial Style: Members have independent finances Labor Contribution: Expected (7 to 30 hours a week) Join Fee: Yes (Members lease a share of the communal property.) Regular Fees: Yes ($150. per month toward utilities, food, maintenance.)
Land and Buildings Rural (We live 20 miles from the closest town.) Area: 16 acres (6.5 hectares) Land Owned By: Another form of Non-profit Number of Residences: 7 (We are continually adding infrastructure.) Cohousing: No	Food, etc. Percentage of Food Grown: 21-50% (Hundreds of organic fruit trees and multiple vegetable gardens.) Share Community Meals: 2-5 times/week (This can vary from week to week.) Dietary Choice or Restrictions: Diet is up to each individual (We discourage the consumption of denatured food, we are primarily vegetarian but not exclusively.) Dietary Practice: Primarily vegetarian (We are not fundamentalists about food consumed, we do encourage healthy eating and lifestyle.) Alcohol Use: Used occasionally Tobacco Use: Used Occasionally (We discourage smoking. No smoking in any community structures at meetings or while walking around community.)	Social Factors Common Spiritual Practices: No (Part of our mission is to encourage spiritual development.) Which Spiritual Traditions(s): Eclectic (integrates pieces from many religions) Educational Style(s): Home schooling :: Public schooled

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