The Community of the Ark: A Visit to the Utopian Communities of Lanza del Vasto and His Disciples of Gandhi - Softcover

Shepard, Mark

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0938497030 ISBN 13: 9780938497035

Publisher: Simple Productions, 1989

Synopsis

France's Community of the Ark is one of this century's most
successful experiments in utopian living. Founded by Lanza del Vasto, a
Christian disciple of Mahatma Gandhi, it offers an inspiring model for a
nonviolent society. Mark Shepard shared the life of this remarkable
community for six weeks in 1979 and reported on what he found.

About this title

About the Author

Mark Shepard's writings on social alternatives have appeared in
over 30 publications in the United States, Canada, England, Norway,
Germany, the Netherlands, Switzerland, Japan, and India. The American
Library Association Booklist called his Gandhi Today "a masterpiece of
committed reporting."

Excerpt. © Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved.

Palm Sunday.
The bell in the tower tolls, first weakly, but quickly building up strength
to a full-bodied tone -- then stops abruptly.
When I reach the courtyard of the main building, there are already people
there, talking in small groups -- people from La Borie Noble, from the
Ark's other villages, and guests from the local area; others are still on
their way on the paths from La Flayssiere and Nogaret.
The people of the Ark wear their festival clothes, handmade all from white
wool: the men with their heavy sweaters and pants, the women with their
long dresses, and many of both with hooded cloaks down to their feet. The
children rush around among the adults, then after a while pass out boughs
for the adults to hold. The sun shines brightly, though the air hanging
between the tree-covered mountain slopes is still icy-cold.
Now all gather in a circle, each one holding a bough. Soon the singing
begins: a hundred voices raised in stately, full harmonies.

Hallelujah!

Glory to God in the highest heaven

And peace on earth to men of good will.
In the music, in the entire scene, the ancient and the modern seem to
blend, giving a sense of timelessness. It is as if this could take place
anywhere, in any time -- while it is surprising to find it at all.

Edition details

• Publisher: Simple Productions
• Publication date: 1989
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0938497030
• ISBN 13: 9780938497035
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 64