The theology of the sickle

 Using the symbol of the sickle, the simple tool for agricultural chores, we want to approach this project with a simple mind and heart. We would like to be an open and clean receptacle for the spiritual forces that can lead us to attain a most needed answer for the hungry of the world.

 With the conviction that no human being on the planet should experience hunger against his will, we are extending an invitation to all those who feel inspired, to colaborate in the project in whatever way is within their means.

  THE PROJECT

 Philosophy: Participants should share the conviction that:

a) Every single human being has the inalienable right to have at least safe and nutritiuos food to satisfy his basic needs.

b) It is our obligation to share our bounty in order to make that possible.

c) Bounty is understood to mean any excess that an individual has once his basic needs (as defined by those considered destitute) have been met.

 Terms and Conditions: To accomplish the objective of the project the following parameters are established:

·       Voluntary Contributions

·       No profit making

·       Loans with 0% interest

·       Fair repayment plans

·       Tithing

·       Selfless service

·       Stimulation of self-reliance

·       Exponential development of CSAs

·       Nobody in need is denied benefits

Fields of action:

The CSA (Community Supported Agriculture) and the "Square Meter Garden" will be the origins from which the project will develop. We will promote actively the organization of CSA’s that will agree to follow this proposal:

a) The farmer commits to donate 10% of the equivalents of the food grown for the CSA, to the Sickle project.

b) The members donate an additional 10% of the cost of the share to the Sickle project.

 The square meter garden is a system of growing vegetables in the backyard that provides food for the whole family using only a square meter of land.  Instructional manuals and direct training will be provided on how to build the garden, use the biodynamic preparations and composting to obtain the best quality of food.

Those who receive the benefit shall commit to attain proficiency and in their turn teach the system to 10 other families in need.

 The Operation: Agreements will be signed with organizations that can provide facilities to prepare and serve food.

With the food donated by the farmers from the different CSAs and the financial resources provided by the members of the CSAs, nutritious food will be prepared by volunteers and offered at cost to whomever wants to benefit from it, provisions will be made for those who can not afford to pay.

The money collected will be used to maintain the operation, to cover the expenses of those who can not pay, and for the development of the project.

The dining halls will be strictly vegetarian ; the principles of nonviolence and cooperation will be extolled visually.

 SOME REFLECTIONS

The symbol of the sickle was inspired by the work of Millard Fuller, author of The Theology of the Hammer, and founder of Habitat for Humanity. Even though his example is a lofty one to aspire to, we shall not shortchange our capacity to action, and put forward our best effort with the main teaching of the Baghavad Guita in mind,

"… perform all your actions without any expectations for the fruit of them ……"

 We see in these complementary projects an extraordinary opportunity to fulfill the ideal of the Yoga Teachings, that of union, to unite two significant philosophies of modern the world represented by Communism and Capitalism.

 Putting aside the misconceptions that have grown around the notion of communism, we can see how some of the original ideals of equity for all can be a real benefit for humankind, once a spiritual element becomes a vital part of the process.

 We can demonstrate that, should capitalism revise its core principles in the light of a spiritual conviction, those  principles may become a reality, replacing "abundance" for "scarcity", "cooperation" for "competition", "spiritual motivation"  for "material incentives" and "the basic needs of the world" for "free market," a new world can be inaugurated as was intended by the creator.