Licensing

“Mokutō”

At Yama there are few expectations of what one should or should not be. There is no absolute rule that all must work the land and practice an art.  Everyone is encouraged to find his own particular place in the community.  Some contribute to the farm by cooking, others teach or choreograph, one person archives and manages the farm’s correspondence.  All, however, bow their heads before each meal.  Yuba asked the community to embrace the ordinary with perpetual reverence and gratitude.  Before each meal as soon as most of the community has arrived and taken their seats, a male elder calls out for “mokutō” (黙祷), which is the signal for silent prayer.  Those coming in late from the fields stand frozen in meditation.  Toddlers are hushed in the brief stillness.