An Opportunity to Live in Ecuador

[Bill Ryan]

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Dear All:

Immediately below this personal introduction is a post from my friend Christine Breese -- an extraordinary person by any standards, and the founder of the University of Metaphysical Sciences (UMS) that offers Bachelors, Masters and Doctorate Degrees in Metaphysics.

http://www.umsonline.org/AllAboutMet...tineBreese.htm



Christine is now resident in Ecuador, and with her husband Bruce has created the Gaia Sagrada Spiritual Community & Retreat Center, near Cuenca. She plans to officially open Gaia Sagrada on 20 January, 2013.

The reason I'm posting this is that Christine -- who's been an Avalon member since last October -- is opening Gaia Sagrada to those who'd like to live a spiritually focused lifestyle.

I know that many Avalonians have become interested in Ecuador -- for all kinds of good reasons; so here may be an opportunity to take part in something that may be a life-changer for some of you, and is totally in line with Avalon's mission. For others, this may be your opportunity to live outside the USA in a pretty safe environment in the foothills of the Andes.

Movie theaters, US-quality shopping malls, and even an Apple Store are only 45 minutes away -- and in the other direction, the Amazon Jungle is two days' drive in a 4x4.

I've been to Christine's 55 acres of land, and it's a beautiful place. Christine herself is the kind of person one can sit and have coffee with and learn a LOT even in casual conversation. With a more intensive program and/or a more intensive stay, one can learn way, way more than that.

Christine is open to visitors staying for long periods and becoming full-fledged members of her community. She and I met recently, and I suggested that this opportunity could be made known to the members here: hence this thread.

I'll say no more... and here's Christine.

[Christine Breese]

Hello Fellow Light Bearers!

Thank you sooooo much Bill for the warm introduction. I have to say, Bill is one of those really cool networkers who brings people together. Bill is an interesting combination of brilliant philosopher with the discriminating mind of a scientist, and at the same time is a sweet brother who's happy to share a latte and crack a silly joke with you. What a great sense of humor he has!

Here are some of the daily activities at Gaia Sagrada:

• yoga
• meditation
• 3 vegetarian meals
• sauna
• hot tub
• gym
• hiking
• journeys to Cuenca
• campfires
• starry nights
• morning walks
• spiritual friendships
• music
• drum circles
• dancing
• and much more...
• We invite participants to share. If you have something to teach, please do!

This community has been my dream for a long time, and is now a reality in Ecuador. I've always wanted to create a community with like-minded others who:
• live in the present moment,
• centered in the heart,
• fully awake and aware in whatever is happening.
• absolute fearlessness, and
• knowing we are eternal essence while at the same time living the dream of being humans.

If you want to know how we plan on approaching the paradigm shift transition, feel free to visit http://gaiasagradaspiritualretreatce...ia-Sagrada.php

The time for this has come. Never before has it been more important for these kinds of communities to exist. It is time for us to harness our consciousness as awake and aware groups and project what we want into this reality. At the very least, it's time to anchor the energy of peace and joy on this planet and bring in the paradigm shift in a celebratory way. The people coming together at Gaia Sagrada are here to anchor love, compassion and peace in this reality and move through the transition with grace, effortlessness and ease.

We have all put energy into the horror of watching the plans of the minions unfold, but what if we put just as much energy into envisioning the beautiful future we can have instead? This reality is, after all, a bio-reflection machine that we can direct with consciousness. It's interesting that Gaia Sagrada manifests at a time such as this, especially in Ecuador where so many people want to be, during an era of incredible change, a time when it is of the utmost importance for large groups to take responsibility and control of what our consciousness puts out.

Sometimes I feel like I'm literally building Noah’s Ark to help a specific group get through this shift in a heavenly, peaceful state while the world goes through a dramatic death and re-birth process. Whatever happens, we’ll hardly notice it here.

I've often gazed at the empty rooms which are currently under construction, wondering what kind of magical spiritual family and tribe is going to gather here for this amazing walk through our transition to a New Earth reality. Are you one of them? I was guided to build it. Now, let’s see who comes.

The entire community around us loves us. They're all farmers, with chickens, cows and other livestock, they grow food, and they've been living with little money for a long time. They'll be hardly hit by whatever may be coming. We're poised and ready to be part of the community here, trading with them and farming. Right now we’re teaching them how to build solar hot water showers, collect rainwater, re-use gray water for toilets, and make solar ovens.

None of this is about money. We're unlikely to make a dime here since we priced everything at expenses only levels. If we do make anything, we would build more housing so more people can come. This is a solution for spiritually focused people who want to live in Ecuador during these changes, but have only a small savings. We have to cover expenses... but if you can only rent, this might be your option. Not everyone has enough to buy land and build a house.

If you are planning to buy land, build a house, or explore Ecuador to find out where your niche is, perhaps landing at Gaia Sagrada for a while will serve as a safe and easy landing for you as you get your bearings and get used to being in Ecuador. It takes a little while to adjust. Gaia Sagrada could be a way to ease gently into your new life and surroundings. Day trips to Cuenca and the surrounding areas are easy, and even trips to Vilcabamba, the beach or the jungle for a few days are easy from Gaia Sagrada.

To be able to move through this transition with grace is of the utmost importance. If you dream of a structure in which to live through all this in a balanced way, Gaia Sagrada is a good place to weather the storm. You can live in Ecuador for up to 9 months per year with visa extensions alone. We can point you to the right resources for all that. There are several ways to get residency as well and some people are doing that.

Bill moves around Ecuador a lot and visits Gaia Sagrada quite often, so there's a chance to get to know him and also enjoy what he has to offer. When he suggested telling you all about this, I was excited. I can’t think of a better group to be hanging out with through this shift. He's a wonderful person, as you know. He often talks about the high quality people who are on this forum, and how so many people want to find ways to leave North America and even Europe. This might be one of the ways.

With love to all -- Christine Breese

E-mail: gaiasagrada@umsonline.org (Subject: Avalon and Gaia Sagrada)
Website: www.gaiasagradaspiritualretreatcenter.com (beta site with all info and where early reservations can be made)
Website: www.gaiasagrada.com (coming soon)
Youtube: www.youtube.com/metaphysicalsciences if you want to know who I am

[Mark (Star Mariner)]

This is wonderful. All my life I wanted to know of a place where I could go and meet, talk - be with people on the same frequency as me. Gaia Sagrada seems like a manifestation of that dream...

I wouldn't even know where to begin in bringing about a change so profound as moving to Ecuador. But I want to. I want to drop everything and just come, at least to stay for a while - for as long as I could. With every fibre of my being.

Now my head is filled with 'material' difficulties, in how this might come about, and of family and friends I'd leave behind... They would not understand this.

Many thanks Christine and Bill! For me at least there is suddenly a lot of things to think about.

[we-R-one]

I feel the same way Star Mariner. I recently had asked a few forum members if any communities like the above existed. I remember one poster on a thread suggesting buying a large boat with like minded people where they could live together in peace as one. That may be great for some, but not if you get sea sick, lol. I will watch this community with much interest, and who knows, I just may find myself a member one day! Very interesting Christine, I love what you have put together; and thank you Bill for bringing this to our attention.

[Christine Breese]

To Star Mariner,

The wonderful thing is that we stay in touch with family and friends easily with skype video calls, magic jack, internet... Technology isn't evil, it's how you use it! In this case, we sure are happy to have technology on our side.

You would be surprised how easy it is to stay in touch with everyone. It doesn't feel that far away when you video conference free on skype with family and friends. You can have breakfast together or even a glass of wine together! We do it all the time. Once there are a lot of people here, we'll all take turns using the bandwidth to have skype calls with family and friends. That's part of the plan.

I know, it's a lot to think about. We had quite a dilemma when we first started thinking about all this as we were heavily rooted in the states (California), even had property, the business of the school University of Metaphysical Sciences, the whole gamut. However, Ecuador has turned out to be a really wonderful place to live, there are a lot of gringos here, we can still run the biz in the states fine and in fact we are expanding the school to South America and translating all the courses into Spanish now, it is lush and green, magical, Ecuadorians are really nice people, and we have found that it's not that much different from the states with all the luxuries of internet, phone, and all that. It's pretty much like middle class America. It's not like we are living in a hut in the jungle cooking over a fire!! teehee! Everything is pretty much middle class living.

Your family might even want to visit here! After all, Ecuador is an exotic vacation destination and there sure is a lot to see here. Once we are not in the construction phase anymore, we plan on taking day trips to the jungle, beaches, volcanoes, hot springs, and many other tourist destinations, using Gaia Sagrada as our home base. Your family and friends can too, with you! Plane trips out of Miami and LA are pretty cheap, about $500 - 600 round trip. If you don't travel at Christmas time or summer, flights can be as low as $300 - 400.

[white wizard]

I would love to go the the place just to visit. I hope you guys are successful down

there.

[Mark]

Need any university staff with some carpentry experience? Lol im an experienced university and college instructor with a lot of knowledge about esoteric as well as a mundane environmental geography background. Sounds like a wonderful opportunity for those able to get down there and who can also make a living while there!

[Knowrainknowrainbows!]

Serendipity! I was just searching "commune type living developments" a few weeks ago and last night wondering where I might go for a much needed R&R and to balance from work.

I will explore the links and certainly keep this in mind as a viable option as I am truly a pioneer at heart.

Thank you Christine!
KRKR

[Watching from Cyprus]

thank you Bill, very very much ... In Love and Honesty :-) Peter

[amandapoet]

Thank you for posting this opportunity. I have always felt compelled to be a part of such a community; however, I am still discerning whee my place is...amongst a community of like minded or bearing a light to stimulate the attention of the unawakened. I guess it all comes down to where can I do the most good? Being part of a group I know will greatly enhance the potential to manifest intention...it is a lot to consider...

I'm looking forward to visiting the links you posted Christine and learning more....

Pondering possibilities,
Amanda

[jiix]

Take me, now! please!

[Christine Breese]

To Rahkyt,

Sure. You can do carpentry work exchange for the discounts at Gaia Sagrada, as carpentry is a universal skill all over the world, of course! It's as cheap as $389 a month in the dormitory housing with 20 hours of work per week, that's the cheapest housing we have, but if you need higher level housing than that, it's still not that expensive for a shared room with one other person, loft by yourself or private room. So it's up to you what you would want to pay versus how much to work for the discounts.

However, making a living here in Ecuador might be pretty hard to do, unless you have some kind of internet income or some other kind of income that you make from a distance. First, you have to be a resident with a cedula to work here (their version of a social security number, pretty much), and you would have to be willing to work at about $2 per hour! That's what carpenters make here. Sooooo... if I was you, I'd save as much as you can and come with that instead of trying to make a living here. Just do work exchange to get the discounts at Gaia Sagrada to stretch your money out.

Carpenters and construction workers in general make only about $400 - $450 per month for four 40 hour work weeks. Minimum wage is $292 per month so carpenters do a little better than that, but it's not gringo wages here, that's for sure! Also, you better be able to speak Spanish fluently if you want to work on any of their crews. In general, they are not interested in taking on a gringo as they need the work themselves. To make a living here, you pretty much have to start your own biz and maybe you can get some gringos to pay you gringo wages, but they are also hip to the fact that cheaper labor is available to them here and they moved here so they can pay less, not more. It's a long shot. Gringos who move here and need to still make money because they don't have a savings or govt check, well, they pretty much have to start a restaurant or tourist biz of some sort or another.

Just FYI! Try to save what you can and come with that. It's best not to think you can make a living here. It's pretty much impossible unless you speak really fluent Spanish, get residency, and are willing to work seriously cheap!

[Mark (Star Mariner)]

Thanks for the response Christine, that is all very heartening to know! It's not so much my own discomfort from being cut off from family and friends, but their perception of me doing so. I believe they would think I was... abandoning my life, and them, for some pie-in-the-sky personal quest.

This project just feels so tremendously attractive though, so maybe I should spend less time worrying about other people and their lives and just follow what I want to do. But in thinking that I just reproach myself for being selfish! lol

It's a hard call! Made even harder when I consider the financial situation. I could afford to get to Ecuador, but once there I wouldn't subsist for long without an income.

[Strat]

Posted by Bill Ryan (here)
the Amazon Jungle is two days' drive in a 4x4.

I can't express how enticing this is.

[Brodie75]

wonderful idea, I watched your youtube video and agree totally with all that you said.
I'd love to be able to join you all their.
perhaps i'll start my own
Much love guys

[4evrneo]

Wow, Thank you so much Bill and Christine. This sounds amazing and wonderful. This sounds like of such a place of peace and love, which is exactly what I envision myself being a part of. I am going to meditate upon this opportunity and see what happens. Yes, I am source of Love and have much to give, : )
I will definitely be contacting for more information.

Love & Light, from the heart.
Annette

[Christine Breese]

Here are some links to places you can get info about residency, ecuador living costs, and even ask questions, etc.

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ecuador_expats/
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/cuenca_ecuador/
http://www.ecuadorforums.com/index.php
http://blog.pro-ecuador.com/
http://cuencahighlife.com/ and get on their email list for Gringo Tree on the left side.

The place I got the most out of was reading people's blogs who live in Ecuador. Just search for them and you will find them. There are a lot of other resources, just google it, but these links are for starters which are forums you can join and ask questions or read what others are saying.

Oh, and don't forget, the Ecuador Consulate nearest you in your country is a good source of info. I found in the USA that the Ecaudorian Consulate in Washington DC was the most helpful. The CA Consulate wasn't that organized or helpful, and there are always girls who answer the phone who don't seem to want to talk to anyone. The Washington DC consulate was much more professional.

[Ontarioguy]

I agree with you Star Mariner, there is a great deal to think about before just upping and leaving family and friends behind like this. The same goes for me here in that family and "some not all" friends would think I have lost my mind, and family especially would lose much respect for me seein me head for some "pie in the sky" as you put it. I share your feelings for sure. Sounds absolutely like paradise....yes. Some will jump at it , others will not. Specially those with aging parents that they are very close to who might not have much longer to live. It will not be an easy decision to just leave and move far away from them. However, once again it does sound very exciting for those who are without much baggage and are easier able to take off at a moments notice. Thanks to Bill & Christine for sharing this very interesting information and oppertunity.

[CD7]

Sounds like a great experience! Would love to visit....the less of modern society the better for me...

Thanks for the information and the opportunity for others to try something like this out

[Christine Breese]

To Ontarioguy:

Ha! yes, it's true, at first they think you are losing your mind and try to talk you out of it, fervently. After you make the leap though, then they think you are the great brave adventurer, get jealous and have travel lust, and feel courageous enough to come and visit you and see what you are up to! Before you do it, they have one perspective, but after you do it and report back to them that it's awesome, they suddenly have a whole different respect and perspective of you. I hear you about the aging parents thing, though, and wanting to be there for them as they need you. That's definitely something to consider. Like you said, not everyone can do this.