Mudfun ·
At age 19, in a village on Kolombungara, a remote island of the Solomon Islands, where everyone comfortably wore bare feet all the time, I witnessed a community come together and construct a beautiful little dwelling, using only materials from the jungle in a spectacular fun way that incorporated singing and sharing food. Various plants, grasses and leaves were tightly tied and woven together to create a very attractive, cozy, ornate, insect proof home that was perfect in its own way. The process was very memorable. At any one time, the audience outnumbered those engaged in building activities by about 10 to 1. Everyone from toddlers to seniors was there. Frolicking children were highly engaged and integral to the magic created. Lots of freshly prepared food was shared, and when everyone sang together, they produced heavenly soulful harmonies that were out of this world. Can you imagine seeing a house sung into existence, with fun? Can you imagine the effect that would have on a 19- year-old seeker? I saw proof of what I instinctively already knew was out there somewhere - a better way, and I got validation on why I went there in the first place- to find it (the better way.
Where does such a generous and playful attitude towards shelter and its creation come from? Children show us that playfulness and fun are innate human traits, and I saw that the Solomon Islanders were very intentional about retaining these traits through adulthood. And therein lies the essence of their formula for using the shelter creation process as a source of education, recreation and rejuvenation. Playfulness can turn a need into a knead that feeds. Fun is ready right now to massage and squeeze a whole lotta goodness outta nothing and it can provide us everything we need from what we already have.