Then life broke through from a completely different direc­tion. Many began to reflect and seek the source of life. It was like a resurrection from death, like a new breath of spring. It swept through many circles – the question of the source of life, of human destiny, of life’s purpose. People wanted to become human – nothing more than human beings, brothers and sisters. They went out into nature to find God, to find themselves. They took big trips, roamed the woods, fields, and moors, with only knapsacks on their backs and simple clothing. The boys usually wore san­dals, shorts, Russian shirts, and a rope around the waist, the girls simple colorful dresses of coarse linen, with guitars and violins.

A founding member recalls turmoil and searching that led to the start of the Bruderhof community.