the Meta define what hippie/hippy means to you/ labels thread

Just to clarify, when I said "people out on the street," I wasn't meaning to imply necessarily people living on the street (actually, where I grew up there weren't any people living on the street. Fields and forests, maybe...) I was meaning people living in the "real world" with real world concerns as opposed to those not having to worry about food and shelter and being drafted.

Sorry, guess my word choice could have been better I do agree that putting people in boxes is a shitty thing to do (I always hated it when people assumed I was a modern liberal/socialist or "pothead" - both of which have become the hippy stereotype - because I had hair down to my ass). However, I don't think there's anything wrong with pointing out a general ideological/philosophical rift I believe existed and still exists.

 

I wasnt referring to what you said actually coincidence I guess

 

Being a hyppie is an expantion of your spirit and minde.



I dont mean that in some wooohhhooohoho..Acid trip .....whatever you call it..
lol
Sorry..

I mean .... an ability to see life in its presents logicaly, in a wide perspective ...
Sort of like sitting on both sides of the fence/
Do you understand what I mean..
I dont mean that in offence..lol...
I just wonder if the way Im trying to explain my piont of view is understandable..

The rises and the falls.

I first found myself when i realized I could see something that was coming and or could efect my life BEFORE it happend...
I mean that in an analistic way not vodoo or whatever..

I finally reached a piont in my life where I understand life better .
There for I could indulge in my days.. 1 day at a time ...
When I was younger (not to say Im old now..)lol... I was so worried about later I didnt pay attention to the now..

Hippys live in the now. Its important to touch the now..
We see the reason for the now so there will be a later.

 

www.shutshitt.blogspot.com
Its just random thoughts..
Add your thoughts and comments..
Dont be afraid to hurt feelings.
Discution is a step to getting something done..
Baby steps...
Id like to start with people talking...

 

I find my views on the whole hippy thing very interesting. I personally think hippy is just a label. Like any other label. It's not something I personally try to be. Although it seems like I have since I started wearing a lot of hemp, bead, and cloth jewelry. I don't wear tye dye though. To me these are all the material things of hippydome. I would like to avoid labels.

But it seems like there's no way for me to escape it. I really feel like I knew what Leary was talking about with Turn On, Tune In, Drop Out. Certainly drugs have been a huge part of what I am turning out to be (personally not physically). I'm so free with myself. But all I hear from people is how much of a hippy I am. I don't try to be. I wouldn't think doing psychedelic drugs would actually put me into a category for people.

but here I am really enjoying life so I really could care less =)

 

In a culture obsessed with convenience,--which is ok, to a point,-- people commonly label each other and themselves as an easier alternative to really experiencing what someone really is or is not.

The word "hippie" is a label that means different things to different people....(i know i'm stating the obvious, but just trying to set the subject). Labels, even if they had well defined agreed upon meanings, they are static...they presupose a permanent set of characteristics that never changes...which might work fine for a can of spam, but doesn't describe any human being..

But it's also a lot more than a label. It's a movement/subculture with a lot of aspects and ideals that i groove with. I've decided that for myself, i will admit to being into hippie things, hippie ideas, and people you can call hippies (if you wish), but i won't call my self a hippie, nor will i call myself a Taoist because of the fact that it's my philosophy of choice.

There's a difference between having interests, beliefs, lifestyles, or occupations and actually BEING something. I might fix pipes for a living, but saying " I AM a plumber" reduces you to a funtion just like saying I AM a hippie reduces you to a static
position that denies you the inteligence and flexibility you really have.

I might say i am anti war, but that would be taken to mean that i beleive that fighting is ALWAYS bad, when really, my position is that it always be the last, last, very last resort. So i could say i'm anti-war, but what i really mean is that i'm not big on it like the nutjobs in power are and usually have been.

The more i think about it, the more i think it's better to avoid labels in speach and thought as much as possible. Cause suppose you're a conservative republican, and not the stoggy, constipated, pious and sanctimonious conservative republican i tend to think of when i hear the word "republican", but a sweet person who just hasn't given it much thought...(no democratic bias HERE!..lol)

But if that person says "I'm a conservative republican." before i get to know that person, i am likely to deal with, and treat that person according to my preconceptions about conservative republicans wether they actually apply to that person or not.

The only up side of labeling is convenience. Screw convenience. I am not a hippie, an artist, a Taoist, a bisexual, or even a democrat, though if someone want's to call me any of those things, fine. But as far as describing myself, i'm going to start making other people do the work of getting to know ME, not some label i gave myself for their convenience.

It's like when someone asks as a means of making conversation, "So, what do you do?"
That question always sounds to me like "So what classist socioeconomic catagory shall i put you in in my head,? so i know how much respect,-- or lack thereof --to treat you with."

I like to answer with "What i want." just to piss em off.

 

I can certianly relate, but you can be freespirited without drugs..


But on the same thought...
I dont know what exspanded my minde more ..
The drugs. Not so much the feeling, but the wisdom I got from the rise and fall of drug glorey.....By the fall I mean the coming back to reality and relization of what Ive been ignoring..
But..
Also. The fact that I have honestly lead and fended my own path to so many places, and met so mnay people...

I guess we all are use to labels... So we call it hippy...

My definition, and word for people like us is...Spiritually Free.....

 

Hey Lilly

I think why do we have to define us we are so much, inside, what we dont know mainly and why should we reduce ourselves on names

I mean its everyones desicion what to do, but i think you will have friends, that will understand you in this things and the others, just dont think about them

Bye Salivrah

 

i grew up admiring "hippies" of the 60's. i liked the idea of being free to do what i want w/out regard to the opinions of "society" and not caring about material possesions. well i quicky learned that to truly be free you have to play along a little or just become another pauper crying about inequality, while being dismissed as a lazy good for nothing bum. long story short i've now made enough "bread" so i can truly be free. i now classify myself as a fiscal conservative social liberal(except when it involves someone wanting to take my money and give it to the gov for some doomed social program) hippy. i know calling myself a hippy probably offends a lot of you but i've come to understand that true freedom requires money(i wish it didn't). my motto is live and let live-just pay for your own life (unless you are disabled).

by the way i live in a double wide tralier and drive an old van. my friends think i'm nuts and keep trying to get me to buy the "shiny" stuff. who needs that crap. life is too short to worry about nice houses cars bla bla bla

 

I excepted in my life, thet there are things that are important and thing that are not .......Excuse my grammer.. Frankly I could give a fuck!!!.



Its not about Hippy's or what ever..
Its about the FACT that there are people who care about the relization of life, and that everyones life has a goal..
Although this to many may be different...
The outcome is the same...
People need to know know thier thoughts and feelings matter..
The world around us matters..
The people, no matter thier race or culture they matter..

Thier are dreams that we are going to fight for..
No matter what people think about them..
BECAUSE they matter to you, and to some other people..

Drug abuse, radicalizim, and a hatred towards other dispite those ..
DOES NOT MATTER>>>

Its the faith in yourself..

Thats what matters...
Its not being a hippy!!!!!!
Its an acknowledgement to life, and the importance of it..
Also the importance of each individual, and acknowledgement of that lifes ideas, beliefs, and reason for living..
Knowing its not the same as yours, but is just as important as you may think yours is.
\
Knowing life will and is going to go on without us..

Knowing there are more important things than you!!!!!

That real problems exsist..
You call it hippy if you want to..
What ever!!!!

Its an inclined reclection, and understanding of what life is really about...

Dont name it..
Then people who think, and speak freely, will be no more important than....The rest of them.






EXstended periods mean time for thought.. long pause...

Its not an essay... Its a thought...
Take it for what it is or dont respond...
If I want a lesson on a thought at 5 am I'll save it for my proffesor....



Respond on the the idea,,,dont be critical..


Other wise you prove nothing to me but, the fact that you nothing about so called hippys!!!!!

The only name you should use is that that is given to u..
Not a stereotypes...

Just think freely, and try to live as close to it as you can..
Considering the governments allowance.. Fight them!!!! They are holding you back.Not bad grammer!!!!!!!!!!!


Dont attack us, attack the people who truely effecting your life, and do something peaceful about it...


Be yourself, and dont care what people think, but have the grace to take the critisism....


Thats human..
Not hippy....
Hippy was used to getpeoples attention..
Just like gypsies....



Be who you are..
The people who expect you to define it abviuosly dont understand as much as they think........






THe Begining, and the end..
The exceptance of it..

And...


The willingness to go on with life despite trhe grime out come...


Your spirit makes you free..

NOT THE NAME HIPPY!~!!!!!!

you diside if you are free...
To live your life your way..
DEspite the thoughts of others and the persecution of the people who want to suprress..

No pun or offence intended..

OUR LIVES OUR BASED ON US!!!!!!!!
KNowing that makes you closer to our meaning...



Take this out of context, well read it the fuck again!!!!!!!!!!
Thats the way I feel, and I dont give a DAMN about my spelling or grammer....

WE called Jesus a Cristian..LOl.....!!!!!!
Jesus was a fuckin hippy!~!!!

He understood the trials and tribulations of life, and did his best to describe and identify with this..
Wether God or life itself he did exist, and the fact that he put his life on the line for the 1st brenk of freedom....Thats the reason we should believe in freedom!!!
Makeing people use thier conscience to make decistions

Being you ,and being happy with it thats life thats what it should be...
Thats what its always been...

People put an name to things they want people to fear...
Either for corrupt reasons or for some kond of gain..

Thats what makes it to hard to understand for people who dont, also to suppress those that they dont understand...

 

Actually Jesus wasn't called a christian. His followers were because they're called after him, Jesus Christ .

I always find it a bit shallow to call Jesus a hippie. He was a prophet and trying to spread his beliefs on God (wether he was God himself, or his son, or both :tongue: or just a prophet). The most important he wanted to tell was how you could get salvation in the afterlife, and he did not die to get freedom on earth.

 

yeah, but he had the look down pat. :tongue:

 

I hope you don't really think that. Clothes don't matter at all.

No they don't, you can't just say that. Some real hippies hate people and that's just human.



I don't get why everyone is putting themselves in some category and label themselves a "real hippy." Wearing hippie clothes and buying into all that bullshit doesn't make you a hippy. It just puts you on the road to becoming a walking sterotype. Just wear what you want to wear, and don't care about what other people say about you and how they label you. And definately don't try to defend yourself against people who say you're fake by telling them "But I am a real hippie! Look at this peace sign shirt." Then you're just a joke. Being a hippie isn't about buying all the right clothes and labeling yourself. Just do whatever you want to do.

It's all a state of mind.

 

I was waiting for a school bus pass so I could cross the street, and two kids on the bus stuck their heads out the window and gave me the peace sign.
I was shocked! But I'm sure it was because of the way I was dressed.

 

I am a hippy deep inside...and that's all that matters.

 

Hmm, look past your stereotypes and ascend to a whole new enlightenment!

 

It's late and I'm tired but I thaught I'd wade into this with my 2 cents:


For me being a hippy is not so much something I view myself as, but it's a descriptive label others aply to me.

Politically speaking I vote green, I believe in grass-roots, and localised government which seeks to foster consensus rather then partisan politics.

I believe in the strength of co-operatives, pot-lucks, work 'bees'

I believe EVERY ONE should have a responsability to know how to use thier own hands and minds to create tools, shelter and goods of enduring utilitarian value

I believe EVERY ONE should provide for themselves and others, through a collectice or commons aproach, thier own sustanance and not rely on agro-business

I believe ecology should be the over arching principal governing all education

I believe the gia theory is a pretty good verbalisation of a self evident and time honoured truth which our early ancestors fully grasped but eventually lost sight of

I'm inspired by the hippies

I'm inspired by the art's and crafts movement

I'm inspired by the grit and skill of early pioneers

I'm inspired by native american wisdom as it pertains to ecology, health, community and family

I'm inspired by my ancestors

I'm inspried by mythology and creative forces which I believe we all collectively bring into existance

I'm inspired by the natural world (perhaps my greatest source of inspiaration)

I'm inspired by the back to the landers of the 70s


I also hold views which may not be seen as typical of a 'hippy':

I believe individual freedom AND individual responsiblity are equally important tennents of a healthy society and that to many cry for one without demonstrating the other

I'm weary of overly liberal behaviour which does not foster healthy, sustainging families and communities

I'm weary of drug based counter cultures (not to say I don't enjoy a good toke, but I don't fool myself into the notion that it's an answer to anything, it's just a release or escape, and occassionaly a source of inspiration)

I believe in moderation (though even moderation should be moderated and I let myself fall off the bandwagon from time to time)

I'm weary of those who balk at all tradition simply because they wish to be radical

I believe in the neccessity of respecting ones roots and elders, accepting thier wisdom and flaws and understanding that both are an inescapable part of your own true being

I believe nothing of value comes to you in life without struggle and sacrifice and any notion of creating utopia is deranged to begin with and the breeding ground for flakey ideology

I believe ultimately god is love and any organised religion which seeks to bring people closer to that understanding can not be totally condemned for it's misguided transgressions. We are human, we are flawed, we will always seek understanding of our spirituality through culturaly relevent institutions, even if this is a source of conflict and misunderstanding.

hmmm, end of ramble, I gotta get some sleep

peace

 

sometimes i just hate the word hippie for all the associations people have attached to it. to call yourself a hippie and dress up like a hippie nowadays actually limits your freedoms, because a lot of people around you tend to be extremely prejudiced because of your looks. it limits your freedom, because many people will not threath you as a fellow human being, that will limit your possibillities/ make it harder for you to express yourself as a human being.
to me there actually is a big difference to live like a hippie and to be a hippie though they can overlap in the same person pretty easily. you can call yourself a hippie if you do 'hippie' things, wearing the right t shirts, listening to the right bands, attending the right events, that sort of stuff. you can also 'go the way of the hippie' which to me means that you dare to challenge the status quo, you dare to experiment with you're environment, it's just being creative with your life in a way. to me this the most important aspect of the whole counterculture, there were people around that left behind the lifestyle associated with the west and experimented in communes, artforms, they travelled all over the world, they just go a safe road but led a life that hopefully made them gain some wisdom they can pass on to the people willing to converse with them.

its a way of life
its a mindset, a certain approach
not a list of things you need to think/do/ look like/ like, that would be conformism

 

I guess, I can call myself, the "anti-hippie" hippie.
To me, confining yourself to the hippie lifestyle is making yourself an integral part of an establishment itself, of which the word "hippie" is anathema to.

Hippie means, outside of society. Any society.
Even a hippie commune or a cult can be very limiting.

I pick and choose the lifestyle and decisions I make, within and outside of mainstream society.

To me that is real freedom.

 

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