There is a magical, enchanting, and beautiful plot of land on this planet that has inspired many to change their lives and follow their dreams. This spot is about 20 miles west of Taos, New Mexico, and is the inspiration for one man, Michael E. Reynolds, who is on course to change the world.
An ahead-of-his-time visionary and entrepreneur, architect, author, environmentalist, and inspirational warrior, Reynolds is nothing less than brilliant. His book, A Coming of Wizards: A Manual of Human Potential, is written to explain his method of thinking behind his revolutionary “Earthship,” a beautiful, fully sustainable structure made mostly from garbage (cans, tires, bottles, and dirt for starters) and recycled materials for off-the-grid living.
Do not let the title fool you! A Coming of Wizards is a unique text in that it covers the author’s history, personal story, views on world-ecology, architecture, spirituality, and physics. It also includes Reynolds’ poetry. This book is very engaging and thorough. The author shares many diagrams to explain his concepts and also pictures of his Earthship structures in New Mexico from the simple to the more complex.
Part one explains the author’s state of mind, the human condition, and the basic way of thinking required for humans to reach their innate potential. In parts two and three of this book, Michael Reynolds presents the “wizard Information”(essentially, divine or innate wisdom that can only be attained with a proper and open state of mind) along with a real and practical way of applying it in our lives.
He then explains the wisdom he gained that enabled him to begin his architectural work and the type of thinking required to manifest such a reality. Thus, this book is about finding and moving toward our human potential and learning to work with and not against planet Earth. In Michael’s words:
“The way to ride the energy to its full potential is to know the nature of the energy, so that it doesn’t control or harm us, and to also realize we cannot control it. We are talking about an alignment or a union, or a merging with energy. This is the way of the wizard. Control is the way of the ego.” – Michael E. Reynolds
I had the pleasure of touring some Earthships recently on a trip I took to New Mexico. I also had the opportunity to not only view the Earthships but also to spend a few nights in two different, beautiful ones! It was an experience I will never forget, and one of my goals now is to eventually live in an Earthship myself. Below, are some photographs from my visit.
I highly recommend this book to anyone who is looking for a more sustainable way to live, those interested in off-grid living, those who are environmentally conscious, or those interested in radically changing society for the better. This is truly an out-of-the-box book!
A bit about the author, Michael E. Reynolds:
Michael Reynolds is a world-famous architect who has spent the last forty-plus years evolving the concept of “ home.” His vision is for the home to care for its inhabitants and not vice versa.
With this logical goal in mind, he set out to design, build, refine, and master the Earthship, which is now an affordable reality and can be built easily. Designed with concepts that any person can adopt, these self-sustaining buildings can provide housing for all people in any place on the planet.
To learn more about Michael E. Reynolds and his Earthships, visit Earthship.com or GarbageWarrior.com. To purchase a copy of A Coming of Wizards: A Manual of Human Potential, visit Earthship.com.
Vilma Reynoso 