Without spiritual life, even if you live very simply, very clean and a very natural life, there is no use because the animals are also living a simple,natural life. So simple living is not the goal, but it’s very conducive for Krishna consciousness.

Lecture on “Simple Life on Farm Communities” (Pula Farm, Croatia, 20 October 2000)

There has been an ongoing discussion here at New Vrindaban about the possibility of establishing a Vedic or Eco Village, where people would be able to live simply, and practice Krishna Consciousness. Establishing cottage industries based on agriculture, dairy, arts and crafts, etc., and living a more earth based lifestyle

A few years ago my wife shared a link with me on Facebook describing an earth friendly, hand built house, built by Michael Buck, for practically nothing! As I have myself been a builder for almost 40 years now, and as we have been discussing the idea of an Eco Village here at New Vrindaban, I was of course interested. Although nothing like this has materialized here as yet, some of the devotees keep this hope alive. This is a nice example of a house that could easily be built with materials that are local to our area, using the ancient technique of  cob – building with a mixture of sand, clay, straw, water and earth.

The following is the text and images as it appears on the English web site Daily Mail.

It looks like something straight out of Middle Earth – and the story behind it is almost as fantastical.

This cottage cost just £150 to build, using only natural or reclaimed materials, and is now rented out for a fee of fresh milk and cream.

And with no mains electricity, gas or water, the bills don’t come to much either.

Smallholder Michael Buck spent eight months constructing the house using the ancient technique of  cob – building with a mixture of sand, clay, straw, water and earth. He taught himself the method by reading a book, even shaping the walls without a single power tool.