New Vrindaban

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"But wouldn't horses be more in line with the self-sufficiency which I understand your community is striving for?"

"For us, at present, self-sufficiency means the simplest way. When you're trying to get supplies up, 'quickest is best'."'

"How did you go about learning to fix the road?"

"We ask around when we need instruction. The farmers here have been a big help."

"They don't give you trouble?"

"Oh no. Most of them seem sympathetic. I mean we're unusual and all, but they seem to have accepted us."

"Most communes," I said, "have a different story."

"Well, people usually feel threatened by any group that brings in drugs or free sex. When the folks here saw that we had no interest in either, they let down their guards and became friendly. We've been saved a lot of labor and money by local farmers and mechanics who've told us what to do and shown us how to do it."

I was impressed. I had visited a number of intentional communities . . . and this was the first that wasn't waging some kind of warfare with its neighbors.

Due to the condition of the road, it took us 30 minutes to cover the two miles to Vrindaban . . . but the ride was a delight. The maple and poplar forest spread a joyful light-green canopy over our heads and, from one of the hills, I could see down a ravine to a beautiful waterfall. "Yes," Paramananda said, "we have two waterfalls where we often bathe."

As we rounded the last bend to Vrindaban, the main house loomed in sight over a ravine. Past the structure I counted at least seven mountain ridges stretching into the distance. The farmhouse—well over 100 years old—had been restored and served as a central eating place and a center for Krishna worship (its main room had been converted into a temple complete With two elaborately throned, dressed and garlanded white marble statues of Krishna and Radha).

In an office above the temple, Paramananda introduced me to Hayagriva das, President and co-founder of the community. Hayagriva, a large man in his early 30's, had heard that I was writing a book on communes and said he would be pleased to furnish any information I wanted. "There are eight cottages, two A-frames and two domes sprinkled further up the road behind this house," Hayagriva said. "Let's talk as we walk up to the A-frame on top of the hill. The view from up there is quite pleasant."

The cottages built by the community's residents measure 10 x 16 . . . just large enough to house two people and their belongings. As we passed one of the structures, Hayagriva showed me inside. "We've built a dozen of these and we limit each to use as quarters for a married couple, two single men or two women."

"How much do the cottages cost?"

"Oh, from $300 to $500, depending on whether the people who live in a particular house want extras or not . . . and depending on where we get the lumber. We're getting much of our building materials free now and the cottages we're constructing at present run us under $300."

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