Braziers Park

Braziers Park is an intentional community and adult college in South Oxfordshire. Set up in 1950, it was intended to be a post-war living experiment in human relationships, where the principal method for communication was the 'sensory/executive method'. This was based on the premise that whilst some people are able to talk about their feelings, others are more able to take action. The idea was to balance these tendencies out, to reach effective action through a separate process of discussions without the pressure to form conclusions. The results of the living experiment were written down and taught.

Half a century later, we still use this method, and many others, to experiment with what works best in human relationship and communication. The quest to find relationship with each other that doesn't compromise integrity or truth, and allows for all of us to stretch a little and learn about each other, is timeless. Now more than ever, with wars of awesome destructive potential raging around the globe, we are in need of communities committed to conscious relationship. Though we may strongly differ in our opinions, our politics, our ways of communication and our characters, the long-term dedication to relationship pushes all of us into new places for growth and understanding. Our modern societies fail deeply to allow time and space for community, and this is at the heart of so much of our social and individual ills.

Of course, some things have changed since the fifties. We are aware now of an impending ecological catastrophe brought on by our distorted relationship to nature. Thus another dimension to conscious relationship has emerged in our discussions, in our decisions and in our teachings.

The community has never been overtly spiritual in focus – many traditions have found focus and expression at Braziers Park over the years. I hope that in our work of conscious relationship, and of care of all those who come here, spirit finds its own path.

The community is based in a 17th century 'Strawberry Hill Gothic' listed building, itself set in a 50-acre estate of fields, gardens and woodlands. It's a jewel of a place, nesting at the foot of the chalk downlands, and is home to a vibrant mixture of plants, trees, birds and animals – including humans! Courses ranging from yoga and music appreciation to workshops on peak oil and local food, as well as seasonal celebrations take place in the house and in the grounds – people stay in one of the fifteen bedrooms or pitch a tent in the camping field with its compost toilets and wood-fired showers. As well as teaching courses, the community plays host to a number of external teachers and facilitators who bring their own students in. Our role as community members then becomes one of nurturing, through holding the space to learn and grow, and through providing good food and clean toilets!

Community members join through a three-month stay where they take a full part in the running of the house and gardens. At the end of this period both community and prospective new member make a decision around long-term residency. People also come from all over the world for a few days to a few months to live and work at Braziers for a variety of reasons – most leave having learnt new skills and hopefully with lasting happy memories. It's not always easy, of course – living and working with a bunch of disparate people of unusually strong will and a dash of eccentricity sometimes requires emotional stamina. Wisdom is not required but is usually fast learnt here!