Tiny house

[Michel]

Incredible guy. His critique of our materialistic culture is very valid.

But if you can't rough it like he does, and you have a little money, here's an alternative: "The Tiny House Movement":  http://www.thetinylife.com/what-is-the-tiny-house-movement/

What are Tiny Houses? The Tiny House Movement? Tiny Living?

Simply put it is a social movement where people are downsizing the space that they live in. The typical American home is around 2600 square feet, while the typical small or tiny house is around 100-400 square feet. Tiny Houses come in all shapes, sizes and forms but they focus on smaller spaces and simplified living.

People are joining this movement for many reasons, but the most popular reasons are because of environmental concerns, financial concerns and seeking more time and freedom.  For most Americans 1/3 to 1/2 of their income is dedicated to the roof over their heads; This translates to 15 years of working over your life time just to pay for it and because of it 76% of Americans are living paycheck to paycheck.

So what is the alternative?  One might be to live smaller.  While we don’t think tiny houses are for everyone, there are lessons to be learned and applied to escape the cycle of debt where almost 70% of Americans are trapped in right now.

[Jhanananda]

Thanks, Michel for the link to the tiny house movement.  I love it, because that is what I have been all about for 13 years.

[Michel]

Why Hasn't The Tiny House Movement Become A Big Thing? A Look At 5 Big Barriers:

http://www.treehugger.com/green-architecture/why-hasnt-tiny-house-movement-become-big-thing-look-5-big-barriers.html

[Jhanananda]

To me the ideal tiny house does not have a mortgage or taxes.  The solution?  Get a van or a truck and a camper.  I even make my own fuel, and have solar panels for electricity. Here is a photo of my tinny house.

[Michel]

jhananda:

To me the ideal tinny house does not have a mortgage or taxes.  The solution?  Get a van or a truck and a camper.  I even make my own fuel, and have solar panels for electricity. Here is a photo of my tinny house.

I've read all about your vans and trucks, biofuel, etc. with great interest. If I didn't have medical issues, I'd go the same route. I'd go for a small Air Stream Trailer, and something similar to an old Land Rover 4x4.

What are you planning to do with that old army truck you purchased recently? She's a real beaut.

[Jhanananda]

Sorry to hear about the medical issues, Michel.  This body is aging rapidly to the point I am not sure if I will be able to do much of anything soon.

The plan for the surplus military vehicle is to replace the van on a larger scale.  So, it will get a cab-over camper, and a larger fuel making operation on the back of its bed.  Then, it is a go-anywhere vehicle so I plan to do some camping in remote areas, and make my fuel while camping. 

Part of the plan to develop the ability to convert plastics and scrap wood into fuel.  This is why the larger truck was needed, because the extra equipment needed for the advanced fuel making capability.

When the extended fuel making is complete, then I plan to camp out for a summer making my fuel from trees.  I plan to document it and post it to YouTube when I have something to show.  Then, I plan to just camp more.

[Michel]

Jhananda:

This body is aging rapidly to the point I am not sure if I will be able to do much of anything soon.

Getting old is no picnic. After I go, I'm heading to another repeat performance; but after you go, you're headed to Nirvana.

Seriously, how do you manage when you become ill.? Do you have any form of health care?

Jhananda:

When the extended fuel making is complete, then I plan to camp out for a summer making my fuel from trees.  I plan to document it and post it to YouTube when I have something to show.  Then, I plan to just camp more.

I'm looking forward to your videos. You always have something interesting to say.

Are parts and service easy to come by for your army truck?

[Jhanananda]

Getting old is no picnic. After I go, I'm heading to another repeat performance; but after you go, you're headed to Nirvana.

Well, if you nail the 4th jhana before you go, which is possible, then you have a choice to come back, if you want.

I keep coming back to help others over to the other side.  Some of my students follow me here.  That is how it goes for me.

Seriously, how do you manage when you become ill.? Do you have any form of health care?

The USA has a public healthcare program for the poor.  I am on that.  There is also an old folks home for native Arizonan's in the area where I expect to go to die.

I'm looking forward to your videos. You always have something interesting to say.

I am preparing a series of videos on alternative fuels, which are next to be posted, so you may not find them so interesting.

Are parts and service easy to come by for your army truck?

That poses a problem for my old truck.  I can readily order parts on line for it, but no auto parts store has them.  I plan to have a complete set of the basics to keep it running, and I plan to keep them in the truck at all times, along with a set of tools to work on it, just as I do for my old van.

[Alexander]

There is also an old folks home for native Arizonan's in the area where I expect to go to die.

Not if I have anything to say about it. Just don't die just yet.

[Jhanananda]

Thanks, aglorincz.  Life is short, so we cannot waste anytime getting enlightened.  When we become enlightened, then we are a blessing to all.  We live every moment for the benefit of all.  But, it wears us out. However, when the life is over, then we are free, free at last. 

Then beings can visit us in their dreams, anytime.  In the dream time one can visit any enlightened being who has ever come here.  I know, because I have done it, many times.  To visit the enlightened in the dream time one must learn to be lucid in the sleep state, so that sleep becomes meditation to.

[Jhanon]

Then beings can visit us in their dreams, anytime.  In the dream time one can visit any enlightened being who has ever come here.  I know, because I have done it, many times.  To visit the enlightened in the dream time one must learn to be lucid in the sleep state, so that sleep becomes meditation to.

I did not know that. Even more incentive to practice my ass off and make sacrifices...

On the subject of the first post Jhananda made; I actually just sent off a friend who gave up his good paying job, bought a truck/camper, and is going on a trip to find peace through meditation. I met him at a monastery, and we found out very quickly how much we had in common, and where we wanted to go with meditation (all the way.) Once I learned Jhana, I immediately shared my findings (and the GWV) with him. I think he is still skeptical because I didn't hold anything back.

He is due to leave for Arizona (coincidence?) today. I have encouraged him to reach out to you and forum, but time will tell. If I could, I would have tried to convince him to take me as well. We practice well together, and I can only imagine how nice it is to travel to somewhere remote and meditate with little obligations.

[Jhanananda]

I did not know that. Even more incentive to practice my ass off and make sacrifices...

I am glad I could inspire you to practice meditation with more vigor.

On the subject of the first post Jhananda made; I actually just sent off a friend who gave up his good paying job, bought a truck/camper, and is going on a trip to find peace through meditation. I met him at a monastery, and we found out very quickly how much we had in common, and where we wanted to go with meditation (all the way.) Once I learned Jhana, I immediately shared my findings (and the GWV) with him. I think he is still skeptical because I didn't hold anything back.

It is understandable that people would be skeptical of the GWV, after all the naive followers of mainstream Buddhism, such as: Mike Olds, Daniel Ingram, and Nikita, who go out their way to assassinate my character, instead of learning to live and let live.

He is due to leave for Arizona (coincidence?) today. I have encouraged him to reach out to you and forum, but time will tell. If I could, I would have tried to convince him to take me as well. We practice well together, and I can only imagine how nice it is to travel to somewhere remote and meditate with little obligations.

Until your friend learns to still his mind, and starts to develop the charisms, then he is not likely to take an interest in my methods.  Nikita, is an object lesson here for all of us to remember.

[Jhanananda]

Tiny houses for the homeless

[Jhanananda]

Another cool mobile tiny house/hermitage.

[Michel]

Now that mobile house is parked somewhere in heaven on earth. Add to that a camp fire of dry drift wood, listen to the ebb and flow of the waves on the shore, watch the sun slowly set, then watch the moon rise and the stars moving across the night sky. An ancient ritual practiced since the dawn of time.