About The Community

What is The Abode Community All About?

The Abode is a colorfully woven basket that is made of many strands. Each community member holds one of the strands and each member finds a niche that suits his or her personality and adds a distinctive color to the basket. In 1975, the founder of the Abode, Pir Vilayat Inayat Khan, gave it the mission to help create "a beautiful world of beautiful people". At its core, our community holds the concentration of Love, Harmony and Beauty, which is at the center of the Message of Hazrat Inayat Khan who brought Sufism to the West.

The Abode campus includes a working organic farm, well developed herb gardens, quiet nature trails, restored historic Shaker buildings, office spaces for different organizations and businesses, residential accommodations, a meditation hall, retreat cabins and a seasonal mountain camp. In addition the Seven Pillars House of Wisdom and Flying Deer rent spaces in the buildings and on the grounds.

Opportunities to get involved in this dynamic community are many and ways of membership are varied. Stay a month, a year, or decades. You can live in the community as a resident, or support the Abode from a distance as a Worldwide Abode Community Member.

Two beloved community members
Photo credit: Jane Feldman

News

Read the latest news and stories related to the the Abode community. To receive the Abode Constant Contact, please enter your email address on the home page of this website. To receive the Open Heart newsletter, send an email to Bill St Clair at .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address).

Abode Farm

The Abode of the Message has maintained an organic farm since its inception. The Abode Farm is now managed by Evan Thaler-Null, Sarah Steadman, and Deleah Elling.

The farmers! For the 2012 growing season, the farm will be managed by Sarah Steadman and Evan Thaler-Null. We are extremely excited to be a part of such a supportive and kind community and can’t wait to get seeds in the ground. We are scaling back production somewhat this year, and we will be relying on the strength of our single Belgian draft horse, Belle, to power almost all of our fieldwork, hauling, cultivating, and some tillage. This year, as we learn the nuances of a new farm, new horse, and new community we are opting to do a simple and affordable CSA. As such, we will not be growing sweet corn or potatoes, but we hope to next year!

Become a Resident

Be part of our community by becoming a paying resident or being part of our work exchange program.

Worldwide Community

Membership dues are on a sliding scale, according to affordability, and can be paid monthly, quarterly or yearly at $9 - $99 per month. Local members may offer volunteer time in our proposed Welcome Center/Bookstore/Café, Abode Workdays, and Special Projects as your abilities and interests afford you the opportunity.

Seven Pillars

Seven Pillars House of Wisdom brings together a diverse community of people devoted to cultivating a living wisdom for our time. We draw on the intelligence of the natural world, humanity’s sacred heritage, and contemplative insight to inform and inspire this pursuit. Through gatherings, media and the arts, we explore ways to respond with integrity and beauty to the needs of the world.

Volunteering

Get to know our community by volunteering.

Questions about volunteering at The Abode? Contact Wahida Young: 518-794-8090 ext. 116;
.(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address).

Ways to Give

The Abode is a non-profit organization needing supporters to accomplish its mission. Please help us spread the message of love, harmony and beauty by giving today.

Employment

The Abode and the Sufi Order are looking for staff and volunteers who can help them achieve their goals for 2013. We need help with many different positions in order to support the mountain center, the kitchen and all the work that needs to be done behind the scenes in our Abode and Sufi Order offices.

Some of these positions are qualified, specialized staff positions, while some are internships where an applicant both learns a trade and applies it. Other positions are volunteer positions in our Khadim program.