Hancock Shaker Village

Predictions/Inquiries:

• How did the physical world that the Shakers created for themselves, and the products that they created, reflect their spiritual beliefs?
• Exteriorly, Shakers meticulously created a physical world that reflected their spiritual beliefs?  Were they successful in creating that same perfection within?  
• What did they do to those whom challenged the rules?

At the Village:

The Hancock Shaker Village is one of the coolest historical places I've ever been.  Perhaps its my fascination with eighteenth century utopian societies or my own personal quest for spiritual wealth that made this museum so interesting.  Despite my lack of interest in following some Shaker beliefs, oddly, there was some sense of feeling at home in Hancock.

The physical world that the Shakers created reflected their spiritual beliefs in every way.  They sought to create heaven on earth and believed that all aspects of daily life and all life's tasks should be done to please God.  Thus peace, perfection, simplicity, efficiency, communal living, and a minimalist lifestyle were all the characteristics of Shaker life and work.   You can see this in the craftsmanship of their furniture and the architecture of their physical environment.  The Shakers believed that an "idle mind" was "the devil's workshop."

19th century meeting on Mt. Sinai near Hancock, with the
 "Lord's Stone" at center.

One of the highlights of the day was the opportunity to take part in Shaker song and dance (see the video at right).  As we performed a few of 10,000+ Shaker songs I learned that they always clapped on the right side of the body since the left side was seen as the evil side, but stomped with he left foot to "stamp the devil out."

Speaking of getting the devil out, I learned that there are only two known examples of community members breaking the celibacy rule.  There are several more examples of a Brother and a Sister leaving the community and ultimately marrying.  I was also intrigued to learn that in the late 19th century, as membership was declining, there was a long discussion about permitting sexual intercourse for the sole reason of procreation.  After deliberation, it was determined that such change would be too much of a departure from their core beliefs.  This lead to more departures.

This was an incredibly fulfilling stop as it was an opportunity to witness the beauty of the place, learn in great depth shaker beliefs, and practices, and to take part in the daily tasks of their life.  

Grave marker of a potential
Wilbury relative