Growing Together: Reflections on Power, Sharing, and Community Life from Pun Pun Community, Chiang Mai, Thailand
Creating a resilient community requires us to navigate both the practical and the intangible, the structural and the social. At Gaia Ashram, we’ve found that growth often asks us to reconsider our roles, revisit our approaches, and ultimately embrace the transition from individual leadership toward a shared culture of governance. These reflections, brought to life by a recent conversation with our friends Greg from Pun Pun and Natalie from GENOA, have stirred valuable insights for our work here. Together, we explored what it means to make ecovillage life sustainable, focusing on two themes that guide our journey: the shift to collective power and the unique dynamics of a shared life.
As we prepare for our upcoming Ecovillage Design Education (EDE) Course in January 2025, these themes remind us why we are here and how we continue to evolve, drawing inspiration from our community and those who walk alongside us.
Ecovillage Transitioning from Founders to Collective Leaders
When we started Gaia Ashram, my husband and I had no clear blueprint for what would unfold. We were inspired to restore the land, to work closely with local farmers, and to create a space where people could come, volunteer, and learn. Over the years, our vision has expanded and deepened, and we’ve come to realize that if Gaia Ashram is to keep evolving, it must belong to more than just the two of us.
Transitioning power in a way that nurtures collective leadership has been a learning process. We began by inviting those interested in deeper involvement to come and spend time, to learn and contribute as we co-create together. Our approach to welcoming potential members starts with a trial period—a gentle step into community rhythms, shared responsibilities, and our vision for Gaia. From there, we build relationships and trust, exploring together if this journey is truly right for each person.
Greg from Pun Pun shared a similar story, though their path has taken on a unique flavor. At Pun Pun, the structure is horizontal, and decision-making flows naturally through the community. They’ve intentionally created space for a non-hierarchical culture where authority isn’t fixed but shared—a beautiful example of how ecovillages adapt governance to suit their own values and dynamics. Listening to each other’s stories, we are reminded that there is no one right way, but many ways to empower a collective.
“The next 5–10 years might see Tom and me stepping back even more, allowing the community to manage and grow independently,”
I shared during the conversation. This prospect brings me a mix of tenderness, excitement, and apprehension. Making the shift gradually feels right for us, though we know each community will find its own unique path forward. As with all things in ecovillage life, there is no rush; change flows best when it is given the time it needs.
Navigating the Joys and Challenges of Ecovillage Living
Living in an ecovillage is, in many ways, a return to simplicity. It invites us to rethink modern ideas of ownership and privacy and to embrace a more communal approach to resources. This simplicity can be freeing but also requires flexibility, patience, and open-heartedness.
At Pun Pun, Greg described how resources are pooled together, enabling the community to live with less while enjoying more security and a sense of mutual care. Their monthly stipend of around $200 is small by many standards, but it meets their needs when they’re shared within a supportive network. “You don’t need nearly as much as people think,” Greg reminded us, as we all smiled at the shared understanding of the abundance that community living can bring.
At Gaia Ashram, we support our members’ sustainability by encouraging micro-business ventures within the community. Whether it’s creating handmade items for our cafe or organizing workshops, these small enterprises offer both a creative outlet and financial support. Over time, this approach will allow many in our community to become more self-sufficient, while also nurturing the entrepreneurial spirit.
Ownership and land management, though, can be complicated. Here in Thailand, as in many places, land laws and ownership models are challenging to navigate. For Gaia Ashram, the land remains in my name, but our intention has always been for it to serve as a resource for the community. As we move forward, we’re exploring models that could allow more shared ownership while honoring the regenerative purpose that first inspired us. Sometimes, the answers are clear, and sometimes they’re not, but we’re committed to taking our time. Greg added that at Pun Pun, too, ownership is a balancing act, deeply tied to community trust. The land might legally belong to a few individuals, but in practice, they treat it as a shared asset, with everyone sharing in its rewards and responsibilities. Listening to Greg, we felt affirmed that while legal solutions are important, a true sense of ownership is nurtured through the shared acts of building, growing, and supporting each other over time.
Moving Forward Together
These conversations serve as powerful reminders that ecovillage life asks us to be open to change—whether in leadership, land management, or how we share life’s rhythms together. As Gaia Ashram readies for our upcoming Ecovillage Design Education (EDE) Course in January 2025, we invite all who feel called to explore community living, learn from ecovillage life, and live as part of something larger than themselves.
If you’re interested, please join us in our next Ecovillage Talk, or reach out to connect with us here at Gaia Ashram. Our shared journey continues, and each step, each voice, and each contribution brings us closer to a more vibrant, resilient, regenerative community. We look forward to growing together with you.
For those who want to get a glimpse of the Ecovillage lifestyle but have more limited time, you can also look into our 6-day Ecovillage Lifestyle Experience Week (ELEW) course, stay at Gaia as a guest, or be a part of our minimum 2-week volunteer program. Let’s learn, dream, and build a more sustainable future together!
Asia Ecovillage Stories Series #3 – Pun Pun Community
Written by Sunisa Jamwiset Deiters and edited by Cait Charles
Credit photos from Pun Pun Organic Farm
