Los Portales is a group of people and a community that was founded in 1984 with the intention of developing innovative ways of life in different areas (organic agriculture, holistic education in healthy and co-creative relationship to nature, soft and alternative medicines, arts, clean energies, an economy based on sharing and generosity, and above all, the empowerment of each individual) progressing in this way towards greater sustainability and self-sufficiency. In close relationship to nature we find inspiration from the foundations of ecology and permaculture in order to apply them in the social and psychological dimensions of our lives.
Eventually, we aim to establish a firm commitment to personal and global growth and harmony through respect to oneself, each other and our environment. The materialization of this commitment has evolved and will continue evolving over the years in order to meet the collective and global need for change.
A Sense Of Community Built And Shared By Empowered Individuals
We do not view the community as an end in itself, but as a tool for creation and transformation. The founders were inspired by Jungian psychology and dreamwork as a way to access and tap into our wholeness to give a deep sense of meaning to our lives. This allows us to realize our highest potential so that each individual discovers and manifests their own uniqueness, but also feels deeply connected to the others; a group of EMPOWERED individuals.
The Community Within Its Physical Environment
Los Portales is located in the South of Spain, 50 km north of Seville in the foothills of Sierra Morena, it covers an area of 200 ha and remains mostly in its natural state covered by rockrose and holm oaks. We produce olive oil, bread, goats cheese, wine; we grow vegetables, grains (ancestral wheat, rye, oats and hay for the animals) and medicinal plants for our own needs, and also use the rich edible local wild flora. We function with solar, wind and water energy.
Building Community In a Widened Environment
We have the calling to be present and in interaction with our nearby environment through all sorts of local and regional networks. Los Portales also aims to make our knowledge, experiences and practices accessible to the wider community through free regular guided visits, workshops, trainings, participation in WWOOFING, conferences, the opportunity for temporary members to experience the programme of community life and short vacations or retreats.
There is an urban extension of Los Portales in Madrid: a recently created center «CREALLIANCE» which intends to promote the creation of alliances between different areas of expertise and to build bridges between people from different backgrounds through information divulgence, encounters, training and networking.
More about Los Portales: www.losportales.net, [email protected]
