Q and A

Q

1. Is this a spiritual community?  Yes.  We are very much seeking to strengthen our relationship with the Great Spirit.  We have daily discussions about the spiritual life and invite everyone to participate. We believe that by choosing to live in community with others seeking to be more spiritually conscious, we are constantly challenged and held accountable for living out what we say we believe.
2. Is this a cult? We know it seems weird to some people living in the city for us to be living up in the mountains and seeking a natural, holistic life of surrender to the Spirit.  To us, a cult would be an organization of people expected to believe the same way, to follow manipulative and controlling tactics… we certainly do not fall into that category, and on the contrary, we immediately expose such behaviors and we  seek to empower each person individually.  We seek to live in tribe and close to nature… the way we believe we are meant to live.  So, no, we are not a cult, and we do not practice control or manipulation.
3. Is there a set doctrine or dogma that is expected to be followed at Awakening Soul?  No.  There is no set doctrine or dogma that is set forth for others to obey or follow. Rather, we seek together to hear the voice of the Great Spirit and the leading of the Holy Spirit as to how to live our lives.  The founding members at Awakening Soul are dedicated to seeking deeper relationship with  the Spirit.  We are open to various cultural practices and seek to be accepting and non-judgmental of people of all religious faiths.  We do not claim to have all the answers for anyone else’s life, and seek only to assist the intern in his or her own journey.
4. Do I have to believe the same as you to be at Awakening Soul?  No, we believe that the journey of faith is just that… a journey.  Therefore, we would think it unrealistic for everyone to believe just the same.  We too are still on the journey of seeking the answers to the question, “Who am I?”  We do simply ask that you come here with an open heart.  
5. Am I expected to participate in the spiritual practices? No.  Although we do encourage you to open yourself to the possibility that our way of connecting with Spirit may be a positive experience for you…in other words…give it a shot.  Look beyond the judgments and the pain you may have experienced by organized religion, and taste and see for yourself.  You may just find that we are on to something here.
6. Is this a drug or alcohol rehab program?  No, not in the traditional sense.  We are open to and are experienced in helping to guide people through the process of true healing, which includes the breaking of addictive patterns.
7. Is this a political program?  No.  We purposely choose not to be politically focused, and rather focus on the revolution of the heart, rather than politics.
8. How and when do I pay for my internship?  We ask that each intern pay 30% in advance by wire transfer, and pay the balance upon first arrival at Awakening Soul.  Please note that there is no bank or ATM nearby, so please do have cash ready before arriving.  San Isidro del General is the nearest city with an ATM.
9. Why is the fee non-refundable once the internship begins?  One reason the fee is non refundable is to assist the intern in following through with the commitment to finish the program.  This is a rigorous and difficult program.  Commitment is necessary to complete it.  (Put your money where your mouth is.)  Another reason is that the fees received from interns help move the vision of Awakening Soul forward.  Community members/staff are not paid a salary for their work here.  Rather, all money in excess of actual physical needs of food etc. is budgeted toward reaching our goal of sustainability (i.e. building materials, fencing, animal purchases, etc.)
10. How many hours and what types of work are expected on a daily basis?   6 hours of work are expected from each person on the farm.  Work details vary greatly and are designed to match the capabilities, passions, and even the daily energy level of the individual.  Examples of work may include… farming, gardening, natural building, kitchen work, teaching children, administrative / computer, cleaning, etc.  We are very flexible to meet the needs of the individual.  For example, people who are here on a serious healing journey and are unable to perform physical tasks are not expected to.
11. What is the diet like?  We eat many fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and beans. Some of choose to eat organic meat, eggs, fish, and dairy. We eat as much organic, fresh, local foods as possible.  All meals are homemade.  We generally have cheese once or twice a week, eggs several times a week, and fish or chicken once or twice a week.  Sometimes we eat other meats as well. We avoid all processed foods, refined flours, artificial chemical stuff, and refined sugars.   The food here at the farm is usually FAR above average in quality and generally tastes better than most 5 star restaurants.  (mmmmm…)
12. Are there concessions for special dietary needs?  Yes.  For those who are on specific cleansing programs, have allergies, or who are strict vegetarians or vegans, we are happy to accommodate such needs.  In some cases, the individual may be asked to purchase specific items for him/herself, in addition to the internship fee.  If your dietary needs are completely different than the community diet, then you would be expected to purchase your own food. 
13. Are children allowed to come to Awakening Soul?  Yes.  Children are welcome and are expected to adhere to the guidelines of the farm.  For more on the way we choose to raise our children, please download the booklet Empowering Children And Creating Peace In The Home, from here on our website.
14. Are pets allowed? If you have pets that you wish to bring, please contact us to speak specifically about your pet.
15. What are the accommodations?  Depending on the number of people here at the time of your stay, you may be in a shared room or a private room in a shared house.  We also have dry campsites with plastic roofs for tents.  For those desiring a tent…bring your own, and we can supply a mattress.
16. Are prescription medications allowed?  Please contact us to specifically discuss this topic.  Please honestly disclose to us any and all medications that you are on.
17. Are cigarettes, marijuana, or alcohol allowed? Not around the main community areas, except occasional enjoyment of beer or wine.
18. Is there access to internet or telephone on the farm? Plan to unplug, probably much more than you have been used to.  We offer 60 minutes internet access  per week for interns. The nearest internet café is about a 1 hour walk or a 20 minute bus ride.  Saturdays are our day of rest, and some interns choose to use that day to venture to town to check emails or to use Skype or the phone.
19. Why are interns asked turn in books, iPods, or use personal laptops?  We are inviting you to experience something completely different.  We are inviting you to unplug from your comfort zone, and from any distractions of the past, to be completely present in a natural and very rustic environment.  We have many books on various subjects, and for those doing an internship, we have many books on the required reading list.   The watching of movies, listening to music, etc, is a distraction that we ask you not to engage in while here on the farm.  If you are traveling with a laptop, books, or an iPod, we ask that you allow us to store them for you until the end of your internship.  (note: a laptop can be very useful for the writing assignments, but we ask that it be free of your music, movies, and photographs.  Again, the idea is to unplug and go deep into the heart to answer the question…”Who Am I?”  We do allow the use of our computer for internet for 1 hour per week for those who desire.
20. How far is the nearest city?  There is a small town with small stores about 15 minutes walk down the mountain.  There is a city with banking, hospital, grocery stores, etc. about 1 hour by bus.
21. What if I need medical care? For emergencies, the hospital is about a 30-minute car ride.  For basic illness, such as a cold or minor infection, we are experienced and well stocked with natural medicines, herbs, and lots of love.
22. Do I need vaccinations? In our opinions…No.  Malaria is simply not a disease that is common in this country, and certainly not at this altitude.
23. What is the weather like? We are at 1200 meters in the mountains.  The mornings and nights can be chilly, and days are mild.  Days are usually in the 80′s, and nights in the upper 60′s Fahrenheit.  To keep things nice and green, we have plenty of rain…and plenty of beautiful mud. 
24. Do I need boots and rain gear? Yes.  We recommend a rain suit and an umbrella.  We do not have umbrellas to lend.  BRING RUBBER BOOTS.  You can purchase them in San Jose or in San Isidro for about $12 and they will probably be better quality than many sold in the US or other countries.
25. Do I need a machete? If you plan to do much farming…yes, please purchase a machete in San Isidro before coming up to the farm.  They are around $6 USD.  There are a variety of sizes and shapes…
26. Are there hot showers? Sometimes…we have a passive solar water heating system…more commonly known as a black hose on a roof.  If the sun is out when you are ready to shower…you get hot water.   (We do hope to soon have a bit more advanced solar system.)
27. Do I need to bring my own laundry soap, body soap, shampoo, and toothpaste?  Yes.  Please bring only products that are natural and biodegradable.  We do not permit soaps that are not biodegradable. Bring your own shampoo, conditioner, toothpaste, body soap, laundry soap, etc. We do not have these items to loan, share, or sell!
    
28. Do I need to bring my own bedding? Some people like to use their own sleeping bag.  We can provide sheets and light blankets. You will be responsible for washing whatever bedding of ours you do use.
    
29. Do I need to bring insect repellant? If you do choose to, please only bring natural repellants (no DEET.)  If you are very sensitive to bugs, you may want to bring your own mosquito net…with a fine weave for the smaller little biting bugs.  Our farm is surrounded by primary rainforest…we do have bugs…mosquitoes, spiders, beetles, and thousands of other colorful and beautiful artistic creations.  If you are afraid of bugs…this is a great opportunity to overcome such fears.   (Actually, because of our higher altitude, and the deforestation all around the region, it is probably not as thick with bugs as you might imagine.)
30. Do I need a flashlight? YES.  Bring a headlamp.  Bring rechargeable batteries.  We have chargers. Seriously, we have very limited lighting, and your headlamp is your light at night.  We do not have flashlights to lend and we do not provide candles for personal use.
    

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