config.footer.left: "[[sanuela.org->https://www.sanuela.org]]"
config.footer.center: "[[Support this work->https://www.sanuela.org/donating/]]"
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{embed image: 'https://www.sanuela.org/journey2-images/start.webp', alt: 'Warm family scene at home, parents and children sharing a quiet moment'}
It is likely that you grew up in a traditional family: perhaps with one or two parents and siblings.
You shared meals, challenges, outings and holidays together, and hopefully experienced some warmth and connection.
> [[Continue ...->Family2]]{embed image: 'https://www.sanuela.org/journey2-images/pastmemories-s.webp', alt: 'Grownup daughter sits at the kitchen table, thinking of the past'}
Perhaps some moments still glow in your heart. Others left behind painful memories. Maybe you remember feeling held and protected, or perhaps you longed for more closeness.
Looking back as an adult, you may have noticed which things worked well for your family and which didn't.
> [[Continue ...->Family3]]{embed image: 'https://www.sanuela.org/journey2-images/hippiecommunity.webp', alt: 'Overwhelmed in the centre of a large hippie community'}
Some are drawn to larger intentional communities with 20 or more souls sharing land, gardens, meals and meetings to make decisions. The sense of belonging to something bigger can feel nourishing.
The beauty: Rich variety in connections and friendships, diversity in knowledge and skills, shared resources, collective projects and mutual support. Everyone contributes to the whole.
The challenges: Coordinating many voices, balancing individual needs with group harmony and finding deep one-to-one presence amid the bustle. Personal space and pace sometimes get lost in the group dynamic, which can feel overwhelming.
> [[Continue ...->SoulfamilyIntro]]
$relationships: false
$togetherness: false
$sharinglife: false
$valuesagreements: false
$firstquestions: 0
--
{embed image: 'https://www.sanuela.org/journey2-images/soulfamilycuddle.webp', alt: 'Four adults in a warm cuddle embrace in the living room'}
## A Soulfamily community is different.
Imagine three to six trusted souls choosing to live closely together as chosen family. They share a home, daily life, meals, hugs, emotional safety and childcare if desired.
The beauty of it is the deep sense of belonging, where everyone is important. There are several caring hearts offering support. Warmth flows naturally between everyone, not just between a central couple.
> [[Let's see some details …->FirstQuestions]]{embed image: 'https://www.sanuela.org/journey2-images/imaginedfuture.webp', alt: 'Grownup daughter sits at the kitchen table, imagening a future family life'}
You may now be wondering if there is only one way to live together: finding a partner, having children and continuing the same story.
> [[How about joining a community?->BigCommunity]]{embed image: 'https://www.sanuela.org/journey2-images/4hands.webp', alt: 'Four hands holding each other'}
## Ready to explore how this can work?
[if $relationships === false]
> [[Relationships within a Soulfamily community->Relationships]]
[continue]
[if $togetherness === false]
> [[Trust and heart-centred togetherness->Togetherness]]
[continue]
[if $sharinglife === false]
> [[Shared life and space->SharingLife]]
[continue]
[if $valuesagreements === false]
> [[Values and agreements->ValuesAgreements]]
[if $firstquestions >= 2]
***
> [[Continue with other topics->MoreQuestions]]
{embed image: 'https://www.sanuela.org/journey1-images/networkoflove.webp', alt: 'How a Network of LOVE can look like'}
Rather than living in isolation like potted plants, Soulfamily community members are encouraged to live in an abundant garden. It creates a whole interconnected and stable ecosystem.
This is the main difference from monogamy: No single soul has to meet all your needs. Emotional support and sensual care are shared across two to four trusted relationships. You have different allowances and boundaries within each of your connections.
> [[Continue ...->Relationships2]]{embed image: 'https://www.sanuela.org/journey2-images/handcircle2.webp', alt: 'Small circle breathing through hearts, hands connected'}
## Trust grows through simple, daily practices
- [[Breathe LOVE->BreatheLOVE]]: Inhale LOVE, exhale LOVE through the heart centre. It is balancing, grounding and opens loving presence.
- Emotional sharing circles: Speak from the heart, and listen without offering solutions or advice, just loving presence.
- Physical closeness: [[Hand-holding and long hugs->HuggingMeditations]]. Feel oneness without agenda.
This creates emotional safety, where vulnerability feels natural.
> [[How to deepen trust ...->Togetherness2]]{embed image: 'https://www.sanuela.org/journey2-images/sharedkitchen.webp', alt: 'Shared cooking in the kitchen, preparing meal together'}
The space is shared, offering possibilities to connect with others or to retreat and be alone when desired. Everyone can naturally contribute to daily chores, such as meal preparation and cleaning.
If there is space, you could invite volunteers to help with chores and projects, or welcome paying guests who are eager to learn and experience this way of living. Bringing in new energies regularly stimulates growth and brings new perspectives.
> [[Continue ...->SharingLife2]]{embed image: 'https://www.sanuela.org/journey2-images/compass.webp', alt: 'Hand-drawn compass on wall with heart values: honesty, support, responsibility, freedom, growth, team'}
Soulfamilies are encouraged to identify their core values to provide guidance without the need for rigid rules. This 'living compass' can evolve with time and experience. Here is an example:
_We communicate transparently and honestly, expressing our feelings and needs from the heart. Mutual care and support flow naturally, without keeping score. We each take responsibility for our own emotions and reactions, without blaming others. Individual freedom and safety go hand in hand, with ongoing consent for allowances and boundaries. We are committed to growth, facing challenges and conflicts as a team._
> [[How decisions flow ...->ValuesAgreements2]]{embed image: 'https://www.sanuela.org/journey2-images/naturewalk.webp', alt: 'Soulfamily hiking on a nature trail'}
## What would you like to explore now?
> [[Raising children together->Children]]
> [[Welcoming guests->Guests]]
> [[How to start->Starting]]
> [[Learn more at Finca Sanuela->Retreats]]$togetherness: true
$firstquestions: $firstquestions + 1
--
{embed image: 'https://www.sanuela.org/journey2-images/thirdsoul.webp', alt: 'Third soul supporting hugging pair with hands on back'}
A third soul can hold space for others during hugs, deep sharing or when individual conflicts arise, breathing LOVE into the process. This cultivates a quiet happiness from experiencing others connect and feel supported.
When LOVE is shared abundantly, there is simply no room for rivalry. When disputes or jealousy flare up, the circle gathers to support each other.
Trusting your Soulfamily feels like being home: safe, nourished and deeply alive.
> [[Back to exploring more ...->FirstQuestions]]$sharinglife: true
$firstquestions: $firstquestions + 1
--
{embed image: 'https://www.sanuela.org/journey2-images/multipurposeroom.webp', alt: 'Yoga room at day, shared sleeping nest at night'}
Rooms can offer multiple uses: a co-working, yoga or creativity area by day can become a sleeping possibility at night. Consider the option of sleeping in a shared nest (ancient tribe style), where closeness nurtures the heart in ways that modern isolation rarely allows.
As we have grown so used to sleeping alone, this intimacy may seem unfamiliar at first. However, when experienced with trust, it provides deep feelings of safety and belonging.
> [[Back to exploring more ...->FirstQuestions]]$relationships: true
$firstquestions: $firstquestions + 1
--
{embed image: 'https://www.sanuela.org/journey2-images/soulfamilycuddle.webp', alt: 'Four adults in a warm cuddle embrace in the living room'}
One primary partner? Possible. Cuddle friends? Welcome!
Everyone knows. Everyone agrees. Jealousy becomes teamwork.
Stability grows from honesty and shared vulnerability, not exclusivity and ownership.
Want the full interactive introduction? Play the [[Network of LOVE->https://www.sanuela.org/Network-of-LOVE.html]] journey.
> [[Back to exploring more about Soulfamilies ...->FirstQuestions]]{embed YouTube video: 'https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4ytHZ6YDFcQ'}
## Breathe LOVE.
Yep, it's really that simple! Breathe LOVE in through your heart centre. Exhale LOVE. Repeat. Feel how your heart opens up and expands.
> [[Go back …->Togetherness]]$valuesagreements: true
$firstquestions: $firstquestions + 1
--
{embed image: 'https://www.sanuela.org/journey2-images/decisioncircle.webp', alt: 'Soulfamily in circle, one speaking while others listen deeply'}
A Soulfamily needs to find its preferred decision-making model. With consent-based sociocracy, the process is simple: is it safe enough to try? The focus is on seeking advice, not perfection. Roles can shift fluidly – who has the clearest energy in a certain area?
Regular check-ins maintain harmony: daily for emotions and flow, weekly for growth processes, and monthly for money, space, and relationships.
When conflict arises, it's good to slow down, listen carefully and ask, "How can I support you?"
> [[Back to explore more->FirstQuestions]]{embed image: 'https://www.sanuela.org/journey2-images/children.webp', alt: 'Children playing in the garden with adults'}
In a Soulfamily, children are cared for by multiple loving adults, providing them with a safe and supportive circle of abundant LOVE.
The parents don't have to do everything alone. Emotional support, teaching and playtime naturally flow from three to six hearts that know and LOVE the children deeply.
They learn by observing authentic and honest interactions, seeing adults handle conflicts with care, repair ruptures through honest conversations, and celebrate each other's joys. This builds emotional intelligence and empathy.
> [[More benefits ...->Children2]]{embed image: 'https://www.sanuela.org/journey2-images/fincasanuela-arrivingguests.webp', alt: 'Two guests arrive at Finca Sanuela'}
Do you feel the call, but need clarity? Not sure how a Soulfamily could manifest for you? At Finca Sanuela in Tenerife, you are welcome to explore in a safe, guided space with the support of Nils.
Enjoy a retreat here and try out things like the heart-centred sharing circle. Explore your fears and insecurities in a supportive environment. Discover your value compass. Build your confidence beyond theory. Nils will guide you through vulnerability, building your relationship network and shaping your vision.
> [[Nine-day group trial->Retreats2]]
> [[Contact Nils for a visit at Finca Sanuela->Contact]]{embed image: 'https://www.sanuela.org/journey2-images/communityvision.webp', alt: 'Two friends at table with tea and paper, sharing dreams about their intentional community'}
First comes the idea. Perhaps you have a close friend who shares your desire to live life differently.
Take some walks together or meet for tea and talk openly about what your hearts long for. Why do we want to live differently, and what wounds and fears are we carrying? Feel the resonance beyond words.
You could spend a weekend experiencing regular daily life together, preparing meals and holding space for each other. State your visions and values early on and create your compass.
> [[Continue ...->Starting2]]{embed image: 'https://www.sanuela.org/journey2-images/welcomingguests.webp', alt: 'Soulfamily member welcomed two guest at door with open arms'}
Guests bring magic to the rhythm of the Soulfamily. New stories and energies refresh dynamics and different perspectives gently challenge patterns. Blind spots are revealed and emerging insights are validated. New skills are learned on both sides.
Some may come as volunteers, trading their energy and enthusiasm for a new experience. They may stay for two or three weeks, helping with daily chores or community projects.
> [[Continue ...->Guests2]]
{embed image: 'https://www.sanuela.org/journey2-images/childrenreading.webp', alt: 'Adult reading story to child on lap, others painting and writing'}
Children can develop in ways that a traditional family home rarely provides. They receive a diverse wisdom of life, as each adult offers unique gifts: one's playfulness sparks creativity; another's steadiness teaches resilience; and a third's intuition helps them to process their feelings. Wholeness emerges naturally.
Their social confidence grows as they belong to a small tribe, learning about give and take, respecting boundaries and healthy shared thriving without codependence. Their identity strengthens amid varied mirrors, affirmed from multiple angles.
> [[Explore more ...->MoreQuestions]]
> [[Learn more at Finca Sanuela->Retreats]]
> [[Show me other interactive journeys from sanuela.org->OtherJourneys]]{embed image: 'https://www.sanuela.org/journey2-images/guestcircle.webp', alt: 'Guest joining heart circle with holding hands'}
Other guests contribute financially while experiencing this way of living, loving, caring and sharing. Perhaps they are inspired to start their own Soulfamily community one day?
They will learn about relationships that go beyond the traditional model, allowing for shared warmth without possession. They will experience heart-centred togetherness in sharing circles, where vulnerability is embraced without judgement or advice. They can experience the healing power of hand-holding and cuddles, and learn how to heal isolation and loneliness.
Deep friendships can develop, and everyone leaves feeling inspired and touched.
> [[Explore more ...->MoreQuestions]]
> [[Learn more at Finca Sanuela->Retreats]]
> [[Show me other interactive journeys from sanuela.org->OtherJourneys]]{embed image: 'https://www.sanuela.org/journey2-images/sharedflat.webp', alt: 'Small group unpacking in shared flat, laughing together'}
Find one or two more souls who feel aligned. You could rent a flat for a trial month and see how your daily lives fit together.
Explore your values deeply. What matters most? Draft some light agreements (sharing space, check-ins, chores, etc.). Notice what delights and what is challenging. Clarity will emerge organically.
Try out a nightly sharing circle with heart-centred breathing: be honest, authentic and vulnerable, and listen without giving advice.
The book "Soulfamilies. Living, Loving and Growing Together" can provide inspiration and practical ideas.
> [[Explore more ...->MoreQuestions]]
> [[Learn more at Finca Sanuela->Retreats]]
> [[Show me other interactive journeys from sanuela.org->OtherJourneys]]{embed image: 'https://www.sanuela.org/journey2-images/fincasanuelaterasse-guests.webp', alt: 'Small group at Finca Sanuela'}
When three to six people are interested, we can arrange a nine-day intensive community living experience at Finca Sanuela. This is not a fixed workshop: we will explore intuitively as our hearts align.
We can share our time, energies, hugs and meals, take walks in nature together and discover our values and agreements. We can see how things flow when we open up with each other. We will explore what feels right, what nourishes us, and what challenges us.
You will have time to reflect, gain clarity on what matters most to you and identify areas that still need work. You will also explore how you can take the next steps towards forming your Soulfamily community.
> [[Contact Nils for a visit at Finca Sanuela->Contact]]
> [[Explore more ...->MoreQuestions]]
> [[Show me other interactive journeys from sanuela.org->OtherJourneys]]{embed image: 'https://www.sanuela.org/journey1-images/nilsphone2.webp', alt: 'Nils with speech bubble and phone number'}
## Connect with Nils
Together, let's bring your dreams, visions and longings to life so that you can start your own Soulfamily community.
Join me at Finca Sanuela in Tenerife for an inspirational retreat where you can open your heart, find clarity and take your first steps.
> [[Explore more ...->MoreQuestions]]
> [[Show me other interactive journeys from sanuela.org->OtherJourneys]]{embed YouTube video: 'https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sRVFC1M_CaQ'}
Holding hands with someone can feel like a mini hug. Energies are exchanged and naturally harmonised. A hugging meditation can feel even more balancing and healing.
Find someone you trust and try it out while breathing through your heart centres together.
> [[Back to trust building->Togetherness]]{embed image: 'https://www.sanuela.org/journey4-images/healingtouchrecap.webp', alt: 'Scenes from the interactive Healing Touch journey'}
This interactive journey invites you to free yourself from cultural conditioning about authentic closeness. What if we acknowledge our fundamental need for conscious, caring touch as part of being human, and see holding hands and longer hugs not only as romantic gestures?
We will explore the balancing and healing effects on our nervous systems and auras through practices like heart-centred breathing and hugging meditations, viewing them as energetic medicine that can lead us to self-LOVE, balance, and wholeness.
> [[Start the Healing Touch Journey->https://sanuela.org/Healing-Touch.html]]
> [[More interactive journeys->OtherJourneys2]]{embed image: 'https://www.sanuela.org/journey5-images/lovenetworkrecap.webp', alt: 'Scenes from the interactive Network of LOVE journey'}
What if your heart didn't have to fit into a box? This interactive journey invites you to discover the vision of a stable Network of LOVE, where deeply nourishing affection is shared among trusted souls with full awareness and consent.
Explore the loving space between 'just friends' and 'romantic relationship'. Take a look at essential skills like honest communication, emotional self-regulation, setting allowances and boundaries, or how to work with jealousy as a shared responsibility.
Examine your own comfort levels with holding hands or having cuddle friends, and start building an abundant, resilient ecosystem of LOVE and care.
> [[Start the Network of LOVE Journey->https://sanuela.org/Network-of-LOVE.html]]
> [[More interactive journeys->OtherJourneys3]]{embed image: 'https://www.sanuela.org/journey5-images/fastingrecap.webp', alt: 'Scenes from the interactive Fasting journey'}
What are we really hungry for? This interactive journey explores the deep connection between food addictions and unmet emotional needs like loneliness, lack of physical contact and disconnection from our hearts.
It reveals how substances such as caffeine trigger anxiety in our nervous systems to create alertness, while sugar and wheat numb the deeper longings that only LOVE and authentic presence can truly satisfy.
Fasting is presented as an invitation to stop avoiding our feelings and finally acknowledge what lies underneath. The journey shows how cleansing the body enables you to receive deeper nourishment from nature, others and the astral realms. You will learn to work with waves of cravings and emotions through heart-centred practices, gradually experiencing more intuitive clarity and a heightened energetic perception.
> [[Start the Fasting Journey->https://sanuela.org/Fasting.html]]
> [[More interactive journeys->OtherJourneys4]]
{embed image: 'https://www.sanuela.org/journey5-images/companionrecap.webp', alt: 'Scenes from the interactive Energetic Heart & Soul Companion journey'}
In this interactive journey, we explore what it means to become an Energetic Heart and Soul Companion and provide a safe space for emotional healing and balance. It is an invitation to those who feel called to offer their presence, heart and hands as human medicine.
This path goes beyond techniques, emphasising the personal, intuitive transformation needed to hold a high-frequency space without fixing, to remain heart-centred in vulnerability, and to offer touch as a sacred, still presence rather than a performance. Explore how this extends into everyday life as well, deepening friendships, partnerships, and your own sense of connection and trust.
> [[Start the Heart & Soul Companion Journey->https://sanuela.org/Heart-Soul-Companion.html]]
> [[Start the Healing Touch Journey->https://sanuela.org/Healing-Touch.html]]
> [[Start the Network of LOVE Journey->https://sanuela.org/Network-of-LOVE.html]]
> [[Start the Fasting Journey->https://sanuela.org/Fasting.html]]