Questions about communes

Hello. My name's Chris and I'm 20 years old. When I was 16 I realized I didn't like our society at all and I made the plan on running out to the mountains and living off the land when I turned 18. Four years later I'm still living at home, but still disgusted with how our society works. I'm feeling the strains to move out but I just couldn't see myself working some shitty fast food job or working my life away in a factory (I've done both already).

I recently came across the idea of communes and I've spent a few hours looking over www.ic.org but I can't tell if the ones on there are really what I'm looking for. I read a post on here by a girl who wanted to find a commune that was pretty much the stereotypical hippie commune with drugs, sex, nudism, free love, and the like. I would be lying if I said I didn't want something similar but I'm also not naive enough to think that a commune like that lasts long without a goal. I know a commune needs to have a goal other than getting high (although fun). So now to the questions.

1. Does someone know if the communes from ic.org are tolerant towards psychedelics and/or cannabis? They don't directly say (probably can't say).

2. How much money does one usually have to have to be part of a successful hippie commune? I know on ic.org it says the joining fee and regular fee, but there's got to be more to it than that.

3. Is having a skill in construction or farming a determining factor in being accepted in a commune? My only skill applicable to a commune right now would be being a musician.

I probably have more questions but I can't think of them at the moment. I also don't want to give the impression I'm trying to run from responsibility. I have no doubt being part of a commune is hard work, but I'd rather work hard within a small community of people with free spirit that want to live with the earth rather than work hard for a company whose sole purpose is to consume and throw away just for that buck. If you've read this far I thank you for taking your time.

Peace,
Chris

 

anybody can make a ic.org group there. Even the ones that say they are formed verses forming can be hardly anything. People can lie.

As for your desires to do drugs and herb etc well i would go to the states where thats more likely to be done without a big issue. many states will toss you away for a few yrs.

as for being a muscian that doesn't feed you or anybody. Remember you need food clothing , shelter to survive.

Personally if i was you i would find someone who has a functioning farm etc etc and leave the drugs and music to the side and learn some new skills.

Being a hippy isn't about rock and roll and drugs. I know i am a old hippy. I have started recycling centers and built kitchens and gardens and ran a commune or two during my early yrs. Most were just lazy and eventually they starved and had to leave to find food.

What state are you in right now ? If your near Pa i could use a helper but i am not into ciggs or pot or drugs or alcohol etc etc.. I am into educating and teaching and growing food and fruits and soon i will be raising animals and fowl.

well thats my thoughts. http://directory.ic.org/22661/Central_Pa_Mountain_farm___for_Hip_open_minded_people

hip and open minded means able to shit in a bucket because i do not have a bathroom yet but i do have many other things. See my 200 pics on the site.

Now if you want to check out other wwoofer positions try
www.growfood.org
or try
http://www.rodaleinstitute.org/opport
or
http://www.rodaleinstitute.org/classifieds
or
http://www.off-grid.net/forum/
or
http://www.permies.com/forums/f-27/WWOOF-organic-farm-volunteers-interns

I know that will help you a whole lot more than just playing music and doing dope and starving

 

Perhaps I gave the wrong impression. The only illicit substance I've used is weed (and sparingly) but I have an interest in psychedelics and was just wondering if there was a functioning commune out there that had integrated those into their living. I can drop it no problem. I don't think I can drop the music as easily though. I've played the cello for about 8 years and it's a huge part of me. I've gone on two week long camping trips and the only thing I really miss while gone is my cello.

I'm currently in northwest IN, pretty much right under Lake Michigan. So I'm not incredibly far from PA. It also looks like you have quite a nice piece of land with lots of projects to keep one busy. I'm intrigued but I haven't had a chance to look over the other sites you posted yet. But how many people do you have living/helping you? Some of those projects seem like more than a one or two man job.

 

If you haven't got things tying you down, you might consider the 3-week visit at Twin Oaks in Virginia. It would give you a chance to meet people at an actual commune and think about how that one works, and how a different place might also work. I'm sure they expect that anyone who goes there to visit would be checking them out as a place to live, and they'd be checking the visitor out too. But it might not be what you're looking for--in their own way, they seem to be quite disciplined. They'd probably say they've had to be, in order to keep the place going. Just the website alone says that someone there is pretty well organized.

http://www.twinoaks.org/

I doubt if most communes would want to accept anyone who uses illegal drugs. That could get the place shut down. But music, I hope they'd welcome someone with that kind of creativity.

 

Hi Chris,
1. Nobody sensible is going to admit that their group breaks any law, or tolerates law breaking. Not even "driving over the speed limit" <joke>.

A group's neighbors might prefer the group not be there - "hurts our property values" - and if you have children in your group an angry neighbor can call the local government Child Protective Services organization and complain "those people use drugs, and there are children there!" One phone call and you could be in a huge mess - cops, lawyers, the whole thing. Worst case you could lose your kids, your home, and your land.​

2. What it costs depends entirely on the group. At the Oakland Morehouse where I used to live*, it costs about $650 a month to live, which includes utilities and a ton of food. The Oakland Morehouse is a bona-fide Hippie Commune**, established 1968. The Morehouse communities live a lifestyle of responsible hedonism. We are the folks who say "Fun is the Goal, and Love is the Way."

3. Depends entirely on the group. In the morehouse communities moving in is very much about your level of interest in living with the group, and your interest in the life style. If you are the right person, you'll find a spot, if you aren't, it doesn't matter if you are a skilled tradesman.

As far as skills, first, I bet you have other useful skills besides music. Somehow I think you can swing a paintbrush or drive a paint roller - so there are many ways you can pitch in and help out. Part of living in a commune (IMHO) is that you can learn to do almost anything you want.

---------------------------
* I now live in the Lafayette Morehouse
** I don't think we call ourselves 'hippies' anymore. I've only been around since 1995, but some of the people I live with were here in San Francisco for the "summer of love". We live in purple houses, and we get things done by throwing 'groovies' [which are parties masquerading as work.]. Read the list of courses we teach.

 

The Farm Project has what you need. we do not promote any sort of illegal activity. one of the farm project main goals is individual freedom,your individual space is your decision and responsibility. I know that we (The Farm Project)believe in many things from ancient religions and cultures. if you have a Michigan medical marijuana card then you could participate in the medical cannabis aspect of the farm project. you must have a card in order to participate in that aspect. again whatever you do in your space is your responsibility. I would love to speak with you further and have you be a part of the farm project taking off. email me at thefarmproject2015@gmail.com.