Hello Community,

I reach out to you today to talk about a concern I have with the economy of spiritual teachings in the West. There is no shortage of workshops, master classes, festivals, and online events. Still, the entire organization of spiritual teachings has become deeply entwined with the capitalist logic of consumerism, money exchange, and short-term transactions. A lot of the Tantra offerings even seem to have become part of a booming wellness industry, embedded in luxury locations and holiday vibes. Which in itself is fine, but far off from the quite ‘naked’ and sometimes even austere teachings of the classical Tantras.

This is partly why I moved away from Belgium, looking for a situation in which to propose another economy of exchange and transmission. Where it would be possible to host and live together for longer periods of time. Not only ‘getting’ teachings, but together building a sense of community, taking care of the land and each other, and weaving the Tantra work into everyday life and the landscape. Into the land that supports us, and the sun that nourishes us.

Not a luxury retreat location, but a good piece of land, with plenty of interesting herbs and fruit trees. With a big tent, an outside kitchen, and a bathroom. And plenty of time to exchange and work together.

The first set-up I propose is to invite people to come and exchange work on the land for teachings. We would be working together, and guests would receive the same amount of time in personalized Tantra teachings. You could come alone, with your partner or with a group of friends. And we would live together, cook together, share the costs of the food. The work could be as varied as harvesting fruit, setting up gardening beds, gathering herbs for tinctures or potions, building an altar, sowing, building a fence, creating practice spaces, gathering wood, … Everyone can contribute with their own strengths and capacities.

For me, this would change the contract of the teachings quite significantly. Not only because the exchange becomes one of generosity and nourishment. Not just for the teachings, but for the land and its multi-species inhabitants. It would also bridge the barrier for people who can not afford pricy Tantra workshops. I would still be teaching ‘normal’ workshops in other retreat centres for now. But I would hope to make this model the new model for my work and transmission. I therefore, in this moment, baptise my new house and land LoveLore House: a place to work with and on the production and exchange of the old teachings of love, connection, and a deep understanding of the currents of life and death in all forms.

If you are interested, or you would like to exchange some thoughts, you can contact me at elle@tantra.community