Earth Dome

2006-04-07T20:20:00.000-07:00

Michael and Bert get in another book entry and swig of kombucha mushroom tea before donning gloves for the day's digging.

2006-04-07T20:19:00.000-07:00

Council prayers start every work day

2006-04-07T20:18:00.000-07:00

Fearless Leader Bert. Thank You for your endless devotion.

2006-04-07T20:16:00.000-07:00

Earle! Michael!

2006-04-07T20:15:00.000-07:00

Ben!

2006-04-07T20:14:00.001-07:00

Brian!

2006-04-07T20:14:00.000-07:00

Ian!!

2006-04-07T20:13:00.000-07:00

2006-04-07T20:12:00.000-07:00

Thanks, Zeleigh and Grail for your endless generosity, compassion and kindness to all. We love You!

2006-04-07T20:11:00.000-07:00

Sunrise over San Simone Valley to the Peloncillos. (picture from Grail)

2006-04-07T20:10:00.000-07:00

First lizard of the season at Jamyang. Welcome!

2006-04-07T20:09:00.000-07:00

Snoopy begging for a treat.

2006-04-07T20:08:00.000-07:00

Up at the Lamas' retreat hut site, the digging has been going well with the new jack hammer

2006-03-02T23:48:00.000-08:00

This page illustrates some of the building projects I'm working on (playing with!) at DM, as explorations of joy and offerings to the happiness of everyone. My goal in implementing these efforts is to discover what the least amount of infrastructure will offer the most comfort and grace, using the least amount of "produced" materials from off-site. But I think this page more importantly shows a lot of the joy of the people here, who are also wishing for the same happinesses. They are amazing. Here is a cactus fruit used to dye lintels in the mud hut behind Jamyang.

2006-03-02T22:11:00.000-08:00

Here we are at the lama yurt building the first State Approved Thermophillic Composting Toilet System, for evaluation over the next two years (see dmes.org Building the Perfect Retreat Cottage class information from Winter Term 2006 for details). After evaluation and demonstration of successful pathogen elimination, we'll build more of these zero tech units throughout the project.

2006-03-02T22:08:00.000-08:00

Bert and Aaron using a digging bar and pick ax to get through the rock. Hmmm. Not a lot of progress was made over many hours of this effort.

2006-03-02T22:07:00.000-08:00

Here we go with the first trial on the jackhammer. If it goes well here, we may purchase one for other projects on this rocky land (and we did).

2006-03-02T22:06:00.000-08:00

Our previous two days' of digging effort by hand yielded a depth of about two inches. (We have a secret feeling a lot of Diamond Mountain is like this...)

2006-03-02T22:05:00.000-08:00

The lime or gypsum based stone matrix was thick. We never reached the other side of it.

2006-03-02T22:04:00.000-08:00

Here's the rock matrix through which we had to dig down three feet.

2006-03-02T22:03:00.001-08:00

Here's the rubble created by the jackhammer efforts. It was quite amazing

2006-03-02T22:03:00.000-08:00

Hey, man, it has to be THIS deep! Looks like we're a little shallow.

2006-03-02T22:02:00.001-08:00

Dang, we'll need to build up more to create the 3' depth we promised the State.

2006-03-02T22:02:00.000-08:00

Man in action! Yeah!

2006-03-02T22:01:00.000-08:00

Are we there yet?

2006-03-02T22:00:00.001-08:00

Measure, level, saw, mix, dig: they did it all.

2006-03-02T22:00:00.000-08:00

So Andy and Martine's daughters, Lily and Sylvy, Future Women Construction Workers of Canada (FWCWC), were at the job site most days. What a treat.

2006-03-02T21:58:00.001-08:00

2006-03-02T21:58:00.000-08:00

2006-03-02T21:57:00.000-08:00

2006-03-02T21:56:00.001-08:00

2006-03-02T21:56:00.000-08:00

Wenchi and Andy had a great system going for transferring wet concrete down into the hole

2006-03-02T21:55:00.000-08:00

Bert measures carefully as Daniel, Sylvy and Kat amuse themselves always quite well

2006-03-02T21:54:00.000-08:00

Andy, Daniel and Wenchi make another batch of concrete.

2006-03-02T21:53:00.000-08:00

Yes, it was a lot of shared work effort with the girls. We absolutely loved having them on the job site. Good work, Dad!

2006-03-02T21:52:00.001-08:00

2006-03-02T21:52:00.000-08:00

We have currently completed the framing for this building, and will get more pictures to you soon.

2006-03-02T21:40:00.000-08:00

Here we are at the Three Jewels Library in Bowie, making an 850sf sealed mud floor. Maria finishes shoveling the last of 17 yards of clay and earth that we moved into the building by hand. Thanks to Michael, Luke, Eli, Grail and Zeleigh as well who helped with the bulk of this effort.

2006-03-02T21:38:00.000-08:00

Working with earth cultivates a village based work ethic that brings folks together. Its low tech, with an easily assimilated skill set, and everyone always has FUN. I think Guy and Ven Phil would agree it was fun.

2006-03-02T21:36:00.000-08:00

Here's Robin

2006-03-02T21:35:00.002-08:00

Here comes Ben

2006-03-02T21:35:00.001-08:00

Here comes Christine

2006-03-02T21:35:00.000-08:00

Here comes Erica

2006-03-02T21:34:00.000-08:00

Here comes Laurie

2006-03-02T21:32:00.000-08:00

The first 6" of mud cracked like a river bed, then we filled with a thinner slip and smoothed again. The final finish was four coats of a soybased sealer.

2006-03-02T21:31:00.001-08:00

Well, here's a method. Everyone had their own idea of the best way to mix the mud, and we tried them all. This is one of the best parts of working with earth: everyone is an expert in no time at all.

2006-03-02T21:31:00.000-08:00

Physiologically, working in the mud is healing and stimulates creativity. Ben is the proof in the pudding

2006-03-02T21:27:00.001-08:00

What is Guy thinking? He probably can't believe he's in the company of so many crazy women. Erica is having a hoot. Christine, what happened to your shirt? Yes, that's Tibetan grafitti written with mud on the wall. The first verses of the Heart Sutra were written in Sanskrit with mud on the wall as well.

2006-03-02T21:27:00.000-08:00

A quiet moment for Erica reflecting on what she's gotten up to her elbows in

2006-03-02T21:25:00.001-08:00

I can't even tell you everything that happened with this lot in the mud

2006-03-02T21:25:00.000-08:00

Ben offered a lot of assistance on this project over a couple of weeks.

2006-03-02T21:24:00.000-08:00

In conclusion, building with earth is totally fun and offers plenty of room for silliness,as Prem and Belen proved every day on the job.

2006-03-02T21:09:00.000-08:00

Back to Diamond Mountain, to the very back of the property, Carl and Ruth carry provisions up the foot path to the retreat hut site. We feel as tho', indeed, we are in exotic far away lands

2006-03-02T21:08:00.001-08:00

This cistern is of the style built over a hundred years ago in this region, and will hold close to nine hundred gallons of caught rain water. It blends into the mountainscape beautifully.

2006-03-02T21:08:00.000-08:00

Carl adds a lot of energy to the mixing efforts

2006-03-02T21:07:00.000-08:00

Zack even joins in as pebble-tech finisher on the acqueduct leading from the catchment pond to the cistern

2006-03-02T21:06:00.000-08:00

Will mixes lime putty while Kendra, as usual, feeds the gang: Guy, Benjamin and Ritesh

2006-03-02T20:54:00.000-08:00

This trio has been thrilling at building in remote areas without vehicular traffic. Kat feels like she's in a movie, spending 4-5 days a week since school's been out, walking up and down a rugged trail, up to 13 miles a day with her pals. The horse and mule enjoy being with the humans and have generated much good karma serving in this way. They've memorized the Heart Sutra with Kat, and done lots of purification with many, many Vajrasattvas.

2006-03-02T20:49:00.000-08:00

Chris and Robert grew up with Grail and Zeleigh on the San Pedro River two valleys west from here. They have been pick axing and digging for three weeks now, and with the help of Rose's great food, are still smiling.

2006-03-02T20:47:00.000-08:00

Rusty has been known by some of our Diamond Mountain folks for longer than Kat has known him. He's young at heart and so happy to be a part of the days in this beauty.

2006-03-02T20:45:00.000-08:00

Horses and wind share the same primary quality of motion. They are excellent examples of the perfection of joyous effort as they move through rugged terrain, up a 150-year old or more stone cut trail carrying 100-200 pounds each of water, sand, cement and lime. This is not heavy for them. So Kat can load, move and unload 300 pounds a trip with the help of these compassionate, happy and kind beings.

2006-03-02T19:50:00.000-08:00

This cistern now needs a top and inflow and outflow filters. We'll get to these items during March.

2006-03-02T19:49:00.000-08:00

Manny and Rose are making a beautiful catchment pond, 850sf, that will collect 900 gallons of water with only 1.5 inches of rain. The water travels down this slope for storage and ultimate usage from the cistern for drinking, cooking and bathing.

2006-03-02T19:48:00.000-08:00

Prayers, mantras and prostrations at the catchment pond with Laura, Kat and Christine. Its always humbling to be in this large landscape making infrastructure for holy purposes. The local spirits are overtly happy with our offerings and acknowledgements of their contributions to our project.

2006-03-02T19:45:00.000-08:00

400 pounds of lime soaked for over two weeks before using it as a sealer for the catchment pond

2006-03-02T19:44:00.000-08:00

Christine supervises while Laura stirs lime putty with a yucca branch

2006-03-02T19:39:00.000-08:00

Snoopy and Rusty enjoy grazing on the way

2006-03-02T19:18:00.000-08:00

Laura, Christine and Kat compare manicures (or lack thereof) while working concrete on the cistern. Guess who doesn't have their nails done

2006-02-17T13:11:00.000-08:00

Back to the mud hut at Jamyang, Rose and Rex mix plaster as part of the new culture that caregives earthen buildings that will gracefully melt back into the earth, leaving not a trace when all the yogis have left.

2006-02-17T13:10:00.000-08:00

Here's Robert, a member of the new culture emerging at Diamond Mountain, who serves low impact mud buildings with minimal tender loving care - the perfection of joyful effort made manifest

2006-02-17T13:06:00.000-08:00

Chris and Robert

2006-02-17T13:05:00.000-08:00

Manny and Bert

2006-02-17T13:04:00.001-08:00

Rex mixing plaster in the mud pit

2006-02-17T13:04:00.000-08:00

Rose and Chris.

2006-02-17T13:03:00.001-08:00

Ian relaxes under the juniper tree outside the hut

2006-02-17T13:03:00.000-08:00

End of winter term at DMU, and Chapman and Alistair check out of the Penthouse at Jamyang (the mud hut).

2006-02-17T13:02:00.000-08:00

2006-02-17T13:00:00.001-08:00

Yep, we're carrying our stuff up and down trails. Carrying and storage boxes with handles are gonna' be big at DM.

2006-02-17T13:00:00.000-08:00

2005-07-23T06:44:00.000-07:00

Inside the hut, the finished crown offers magnificent cathedral like lighting, perfect for meditation

2005-07-23T06:43:00.000-07:00

As the light traveled around the dome throughout the day, the energy was exhilarating

2005-07-23T06:42:00.000-07:00

It felt cavernesque, or like being under water in a secret place

2005-07-23T06:41:00.000-07:00

The finished crown offered wonderful light throughout the day

2005-07-23T06:39:00.001-07:00

One of two altars in the hut

2005-07-23T06:39:00.000-07:00

An altar and book shelf in foreground with storage boxes for food, clothing, and other items

2005-07-23T06:37:00.000-07:00

Here's the meditation back rest during the day and fold out bed at night, with food box and ample room for yoga

2005-07-23T06:36:00.000-07:00

Some ceiling detail showing shells and mirror around the glass cube

2005-07-23T06:35:00.000-07:00

Steps going inside

2005-07-23T06:34:00.000-07:00

The outside living area

2005-06-11T11:07:00.000-07:00

After a fabulous prickly pear bloom you'll see below, the acacias kicked in across the desert plains and valleys.

2005-06-11T11:06:00.000-07:00

The cat claw acacia blooms may be the most fragrant of all the blooms on the desert night air

2005-06-11T10:02:00.000-07:00

A SoapBox Announcement-- The raven brought in a request for you to visit http://www.northcoastjournal.com/102303/cover1023.html
The foundation principles of what these people are addressing will also be at the base, I pray, of what and how we learn to build at Diamond Mountain - building holy space for spiritual practices with LOW EMBODIED ENERGY. Learn what this means! Explore the hidden energy costs and ramifications in every decision we make, every component we transport, in every package we consume and didn't even need in the first place. Revisit Geshe Michael's Albuquerque book tour lecture at http://www.heartyoga.dharmastudent.com/ "The Second American Empire" and remind yourself that one styrofoam cup represents a day's worth of cooking fuel for a family in India. Cook It! --End of SoapBox Announcement

2005-06-11T09:49:00.000-07:00

So now I really feel as tho' we landed in Luke Skywalker's neighborhood. This is meditation housing for all worlds (And Luke himself even made that awesome front door on which I beg someone special will knock) (with an iced mocha)

2005-06-11T09:46:00.000-07:00

We topped the hut with a 17" x 17" solar panel and solar powered attic fan that will pull air through the bottom vents of the hut and out the top. This movement of air is all it takes to stay comfortable in the still heat of the desert.

2005-06-11T09:43:00.000-07:00

A sunset sequence begins (do i love this place or what)

2005-06-11T09:42:00.001-07:00

View to the north by nor'easterly

2005-06-11T09:42:00.000-07:00

View to the north by nor'west

2005-06-11T09:41:00.000-07:00

The bug netted hammock tucked perfectly into the cedar tree behind the hut. Can you see yourself there on warm still nights under the canopy of stars?

2005-06-11T09:39:00.000-07:00

Cinder cones and yucca stalks reaching up

2005-06-11T09:38:00.000-07:00

Its shape complements those on the landscape