Page 13 - C.A.L.L. #25 - Spring 2005

How to present your very own Community to prospective newcomers, so as to give them an accurate impression and a basic
understanding of what they are getting into -i.e. your/our complex, outlandish Way of Life? Lamborn Valley Community
seem to have stumbled upon an original solution, as described by Webb Eavanson:

Level One—Roots: Potential. This is the deepest, invisible part of the soul. It starts as a single seed, a dream, a potential. The
seed works its way through the soil of life and circumstance, through stillness and prayer. Will it take root? When all of the
elements come together, the answer is "Yes" and great trees will grow. The seed grows small roots, and sending its first stem up
through the soil, is our community's inherent potential. The roots continue to grow over time, and ever more firmly anchor the
tree in the ground.
Level Two—Seedling breaking through the
soil: Manifestation. This is the community
purpose becoming manifest in the physical. It is
the inherent idea breaking through into the light. It
is the foundation, where we find the vision and
mission statements and where we honor those
who have created a space for our community.
Level Three—Trunk: Perspective, Decisions,
Agreements. This is where, with all of the depth
of our hearts, gifts, weaknesses, and struggles, we
come together as a group. With a strong, unified
will to grow, it grows in a single direction as one
body. We come together to explore ideas about
our community's tasks and projects at Level
Three, always in prayer and consensus.
Level Four—-Branches: Projects. We move out
from the Trunk and branch into responsibilities
with support and encouragement from the unified
group at Level Three (Trunk). The shared
perspective of Level Three delegates, empowers,
anoints, and nourishes those stewarding each
Branch (Level Four), or project, of the
community.
Level Five—Twigs and Leaves: Work,
Activities. From this Level Four (Branch) place of
responsibility comes the actual doing of the tasks,
the field of Action. It's where everyone in the
community jumps in to do the work, whether
individually or in teams. It's the level of
manifestation and inclusion. The Twigs and
Leaves spread out to absorb the maximum amount
of sunlight, doing the "work" of photosynthesis,
turning light into carbohydrates and growth. This
is what builds the physical substance of the tree
itself.
Level Six—-Fruit: Results of our Labor. These
are the Results of our Work, yielding healthy,
whole individuals who contribute to each other, to the community, and to the world by living meaningful lives. It's living
sustainably. It's raising inspired children. The Fruit shows up in many forms. Some are tangible Fruit—our people, physical
health, money from the sale of goods and services. Other Fruit is intangible—-our friendships with each other, love and
connection, our quality of life, and joy itself.
Level Seven—Fruit returning to Earth: Appreciation, Enjoyment. This is the day of rest. It's appreciation and enjoyment,
recreation, or re-creation. It's Fruit ripening and dropping off the tree, delivering its DNA blueprint to the soil and thus
nourishing the Roots in Level One or planting seeds of new trees. And it's the atmosphere around the Tree, rich in oxygen,
which also nourishes the Roots.

Our community has found that being part of a living organism, envisioned as a tree, enriches the quality of life. It helps
us share our hearts, maintain our values, and keep growing toward the light. Just as one tree standing alone doesn't
have the energy to change a whole ecosystem, but a forest does, one healthy community can't positively influence very
much of the wider culture around it, but a whole network of healthy communities can affect the wider culture.

Webb Eavenson, 26, has lived in Lamborn Valley Community with his parents and grandmother since the community was
founded. Planner and developer of the tree analogy for the group, Webb helps explain and manage it. You can contact him at
guques@hotmail.com