A little more than two years after we began to dream,
think and talk about it, Neredu Valley has happened. A place where we can now really feel
at home, doing our work, inviting friends and generally people who are moving in the same direction, to hang out with us, attend sessions on meditation, music, creativity, dance and bodywork, yoga; to talk late into
the night and to drink in the silence of the boondocks when the spirit invites us to. A place to feel free to really explore the inner world, to look at each other afresh, to try and re-design the way we live together.
In 2012 July seven of us each bought an acre of land, in this distant area of Andhra Pradesh, far from any hint of civilization. The world being what it is, of course this bit of unvisited Paradise was not to remain the way we imagined or wished it would. Before the first year was over, plans were being made by the A.P government to set up an entire wind farm in the region, across the string of hills, to generate electricity. Our first reaction was utter dismay at the unsightliness of the project and the noise it would generate along with the current. But after thrashing out the pro’s and cons we decided to go for it all the same.
It is far easier and more pleasant to dream than to turn a dream into reality. Not that you don’t already know how it is, but just for the record, those of us who were closely involved with the project faced our share of ups and downs too. Now with months of struggle, of disagreement, of scrounging around for funds, Neredu has become operational even if in a small and most basic way.
Last week Basicindia conducted the first workshop on the
premises with thirteen people, to test the waters and much to everyone’s
surprise the place was an instant hit with all who visited. Thanks to Sharat’s
relentless efforts, and to our friends in the Swiss community as well as to a
few friends in India who contributed
their money, energy and interest into making it happen, four units have been
constructed – enough for a comfortable stay for a small group: a kitchen (the
most important building!)
two dorms, one of which this time round was used for our sessions, a housing
unit with two rooms and a large meditation hall (the temple of emptiness as our
friend Samuel has named it) where many of the participants slept at night.
In the coming months we will have to gear up for larger groups when our friends from Switzerland arrive and for this purpose we will need a lot more help both from our Indian friends as well as those from abroad.
Keep in touch with us and do contribute what you are able to, in terms of interest, work, materials and equipment or money.
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