Ongoing Learning & Integration
All of the work we do - from consulting with clients to house meetings - is designed to create deeper understanding of intentional community and intentional living. The Next Big Step is committed to noticing, reflecting, and integrating these lessons in an ongoing iterative process.
Community Incubator: The Sanctuary
This is a true story of four landmates who chose to live together, work passionately, and practice sacred connection.
The Sanctuary is a small intentional community in Oakland focused on sacred living.
We gather with intention. We hold monthly meetings for check-ins and house business, and monthly gatherings for connecting (crafting fun & other play). We also host regular community events focused on sacred living.
We deeply value and honor our personal practice in meditation, prayer, and ritual in the home and hold morning personal practice hours 8-10am for a serene start to the day.
You can often find the landmates enjoying epic porch hangs, talking about life and cackling our joy.
Research
In the spring and summer of 2023, we partnered with Zach Rubin and Sky Blue to conduct a survey and focus groups targeted at individuals who have experience with both military service and living in an intentional community. We have since published an article in Communities magazine and continue to analyze the results for insights into intentional living.
Check out the article in Communities Magazine #204 - A Desire to Serve: The Experience of Military Veterans in Intentional Communities
More Matriarchy
A value system to live by…
More Matriarchy is a cultural movement — a bridge out of the oppression of patriarchy into the empowerment of the collective. It was birthed in The Sanctuary as we reflected on what has been working within our co-living culture, as well as what it means to be a matriarchy. That led to the development of the 8 Elements for Harmonious Living.
We invite you into this journey of discovery of what it looks like to embody these 8 elements and what it means to cultivate More Matriarchy as we co-create a world beyond hierarchy and domination.
