Treechat

These photos of your space are amazing. Can you tell me more about the images and how this was constructed? Also, what's in the surrounding community? Are there more houses like this - interconnected? Or is this isolated?

Thanks. Most of the mud mixed to build this structure was done via musical Mudstomp events. We would get excavated earth delivered (intercepted from excavation companies looking for somewhere to dump it) and then we’d organise and host these festive building events for all ages in the summertime. First there’s food then live music and drums fuel the barefoot mud stomping dance which churns the mud ingredients. The mixed mud is formed into blobs that get passed in a line and get sculpted into the walls until maximum wet height is achieved then formed into bricks for next time. Everyone covers their skin in mud and goes for a swim down the beach. Doors and windows are fitted in as walls go up. Once the roof goes on smooth renders and then natural paints are applied to create a natural finish. This is in a small suburban beach town less than one hour from Sydney next to my parents house. I think the backyard sleeping pod built using a festive community approach is a way for the modern consumer to safely rekindle these skills. Both the earthen masonry and social skills around teamwork

Wow, that sounds amazing. I've only designed and directed one complete renovation project using granite, cement, teak, and Nzinga wood. It took seven months, working with about 20 different fundis, and we also hand-made all the furniture and created a garden. Next year, I'm working on two more projects and looking to do more in Southeast Asia, but nothing so organic and on your scale, which I think is absolutely wonderful. I'd love to participate in one of your events one day so I could graduate to your level.

Yeah thanks I can respect what you have done too. That’s modern construction producing real estate - which is the accepted norm for shelter that is the most highly valued thing. People will work their whole lives even doing a job they don’t like just to have those four walls and a roof over their head. Shelter creation is a bit like Harriet Tubmans underground railway. It’s a ticket to freedom. But people aren’t aware of this. Harriet said she could have freed a thousand more if only they knew they were slaves. She carried a gun and stayed behind to make sure no one wanted to turn around and go back. People these days think having shelter and a job to pay for it, is freedom. They need their bills to feel normal. Shelter creation is freedom and security. If we can create shelter in a way that is uplifting to all and pleasing to the soul then what?

these days im getting deeper into my meditation practice while waiting for answers on where to take this vision - where to build the next structure in the most soul pleasing way. I’m like you in that it could be anywhere on the planet. Keep your ears and eyes open for me. I’m going to Thailand next February to do this darkroom retreat. https://www.mantakchia.com/event/darkroom-retreat-2024/

This is extremely interesting for four reasons:
1. When I was living in Thailand, I met a random guy in Chiang Mai who told me about his experience in a darkroom retreat in Phuket. Just hearing his story was one of my most provocative experiences ever—one of those things I could never forget. But he didn't give me any other details.
2. Years later, when I was living in Tanzania, an elderly lady told me I needed to check out a man named Mantak Chia. Because she said it verbally and mentioned many other things during our conversation, I totally forgot his name by the end of our talk.
3. Today, I was talking to my best friend from college, whom I haven't spoken to in forever. We randomly arranged to meet up in Thailand sometime in January. Since he has a corporate job, he can only be there for two weeks. So, I told him I'd probably stay for another month or so after.
4. Then you sent me this message, haha... Bro, you're right. The flow of life is deep. So, it's extremely possible that we'll both be in Thailand at the same time. How long will you stay? Just for the retreat or longer?

I thought I already answered this so this might be the second reply. I told XPJ7 about my decision to do the retreat as he is one of the few people I know who also knows Mantak Chia and the only person from the ATL poetry scene. I also haven't spoken or communicated with him in forever but had to let him know coz i knew he would appreciate it. He said he might come. haha. So yes it sounds like its extremely possible that we'll both be in Thailand at the same time and then it will be a no brainer to catch up in person.

Perfect. I'll look forward to continuing this dialogue and speaking to you in more detail then.

Yes we can take this conversation in multiple directions but it appears that Mantak Chia is lining up between us. When I was in Atlanta I wrote a long letter to him about how positive and potent the energy of Atlanta was (from civil rights to the power of hip hop culture) and how it would be the best place to incubate his teachings to allow them to become enriched and digestible and fully understood so that they could spread around the world. He wrote back and challenged me to organise a trip for him there which I dropped the ball on. My close friend sponsored his first trip to Australia in the late 80s and I was right there amongst it. In the early 90s I went to upstate New York to be certified by him to teach his system, Back then he was going to open his global headquarters retreat center there but then changed his mind half way in and decided on Thailand where he started from. Anyway I conducted my first two darkroom retreats in Atlanta in a group household where all the other members generously decided to support me and make it happen for me..

One year apart. First one was 4 days. The second one 9 days. (Atl darkroom retreats) it was probably close to10 years later before I got to do my third one here in Australia for 12 days. And that was already a minute ago so I’m looking forward to being able to do it in 5 star luxury with full support of his community. I’ve booked for 14 days and I want to add the third week to my order as soon as I can.

I’ve recently got his app which I’ve been fully appreciating. Let me know if you want a review or description of the app

https://www.mantakchia.com/download-the-app/