Zendik

I believed Wolf had something here about Honesty but it somehow got lost up in things after he kind of phased out of things.
Here is a bit on the music scene at the Farm....
Link

This leads up to how music at the Farm was evolved into what Arol sees as music which is actually a healing source for Arols pain. This is ok but one has to remember that the Zendiks Promise is for Artists and Musicians to achieve their Genius Potential....
Here is the part when Arol took away the musicians ability to reach their goals...

Now. It says that some were technically skilled but they lacked any experience in cooperative art. Not a good thing for a Leader to say about their group. At this time the motivation factor went deeply into the negative and they went into attack mode. Everyone wants to feel like they are doing good like they are important especially when they feel they are skilled at what they do. When Arol took over she squashed their self esteem, basically saying you guys are not good enough and this is the way I want things to be. This is the biggest problem at the Farm.
We see the turnover rate at the Farm. People leave faster at times than they come in and this is such a big cost to the Zendiks and they don't even care to realize it. First there is a Culture that knows that people will leave allowing friendships to not grow as the people who have been there longer tend not to give that much energy to the new people figuring that they will be leaving anyway thus the hardship for new people at the Farm. Now figure that as soon as a new person hits the ground it costs the Farm $ to feed and house them. Money that is basically is thrown away as soon as this person leaves, big loss. People that have been there a while tend not to be as open to new people because of this and it adds up to cause of the turnover rate.
Their best resource. It's always people for any organization period. New people especially should be treated very well after all we don't want them leaving as the cost of this over time can really hurt you. People at the Farm should be encouraged to explore their art regardless of what the established forms are this way the individual can grow and learn more about what they are about. This alone will raise the motivation level and lower turnover.
The thing is that it's not about people but about what Arol wants, in my opinion. Again sad.....
Here we see that Arol gets to learn somewhat.....

Again in my opinion, Arol cannot sing at all but insists that the music include her and her vision alone which squashes other musicians ability to grow. Notice how dark not only their music is but their art in general. Revs art is very dark and painfull but it's very inline with Arols....
Anyway.... I'm in such a hurry I bet this doesn't make that much sense but if it does......

 

From the Zendik website 'Wulf pages:' "Ecolibrium (Ecological Equilibrium)—the Zendik social/political design, conceived by Wulf as an open-ended, never-ending quest for the balancing point between our needs as human beings and the realities of planetary survival. In its accurate portrayal of the holistic picture on Planet Earth, Ecolibrium supersedes the outmoded, incomplete ideologies of capitalism and competition. . . . In Ecolibrium, there is an understanding that our pleasurable survival as individuals is based on the integrity of the natural world—is part of the natural world—and no amount of political wheeler-dealing—no amount of finance-economy, free-enterprise fantasy—will alter that essential truth."

These are the same people who sold a pristine farm in North Carolina off to the highest bidder in the name of profit alone. Be ware of the liars!

 

FTNW writes: "Their best resource. It's always people for any organization period. New people especially should be treated very well after all we don't want them leaving as the cost of this over time can really hurt you."

This is a common mistake made by poor managers and exploitive employers the world over. They can get away with it if using unskilled workers, but in a business that needs skilled people, the most able leave causing great turnover, which hurts the organization as a whole.

Who'd have thought that the "Zendik Warriors" would use methods similar to those employed by industrial employers?

These people are just too much into themselves to ever do much of anything except to lure in the dissatisfied and disposessed and exploit their labor.

 

most of the post i have read in this sound off the wall..... How do you judge a place if ya never been their.... Well If anyone has real info of the place If ya been their let me know I been wanting to go check it out.... No bull shit I just want to know the real deal.....

 

What do you mean we've never been there? I lived there for a while as did most of the contributers to this thread! obviously you didn't really read it or you'd know.

 

is it a bad place thats what it sounds like..... tell me about it I want to know

I been thinking about going..... let me know if it is worth it or not thanks

 

Have you not been reading this months-long thread already? Get a clue.

 

Hello to all who are following this thread!

My name is Mira & I used to frequent Zendik Farm's forum before they got sick of posts like the ones in this thread & took it down.
All of this is pretty much the same shit people have hit them with for years, and the responses from the Zendiks are also typical. All in all it comes down to this: they are doing their own thing and it obviously doesn't work for everybody. Do they fuck up? Yes. Do you fuck up? Yes.
I would agree that their presentation of Arol is somewhat skewed and idealistic. I've met her and seen her in action, and am friends with others who have known her quite well. She's about as good or bad as you might expect. But, I would like to set something straight here. It's true that Wulf became ill at a certain point and was not able to handle much of his previous tasks, including being the vocalist for the band. But just for the record, it's NOT true that at that point the band was without a vocalist for months while looking for another. Nez, who was a member of the band when Wulf was still the vocalist, took his place sometime back in 1988 and trained many of the musicians Arol ended up playing with. He remained the vocalist and leader of the Zendik Tribe Band (and a huge influence on many other aspects of the Farm) until 1997 when he split the scene and left the band without a leader. At that point they probably were without a band leader and vocalist for months. But, why leave out a 9 or 10 year chunk of Zendik music history, especially when Nez is all over their publications and albums from that time period? I asked them about this at their forum once, and Siah (slightly offended) replied that they couldn't talk about everybody who'd ever been there like some kind of high school year book. In all reality I'd say it probably has more to do with the fact that Nez was also Arol's boyfriend at the time, and she doesn't want to remember him as a part of her life (or some such form of denial). Correct me if I'm wrong here, but things like this have struck me weird about ZF, and I believe that any society that changes their own history is a corrupt society and not too fucking honest! They would have to take responsibilty for anyone leaving the scene, which is no small order, but essential to succeeding at their cause.
Let me just say that I like Zendik Farm and have always gotten along with any Zendiks that I meet (eventhough I haven't been there for years or seen anyone from there for years), and will always have a spot in my heart for Wulf's writing and for a lot of the music they have put out over the years, and that this is by no means a put down of their scene. But, I feel that the quality of their publications, music and web site content have taken a consistent dive into the safety zone since Wulf's death. Along with this, a certain level of integrity has been lost that I assume will never come back to their scene. Placing Arol on the pedistal now is a bit of a glaring and desperate need for a "can do no wrong" leader, which she isn't by any means. Not even Wulf got that image makeover. I'm sure that a tragic event like Wulf passing away sent them into somewhat of a tailspin. He was a big influence on me and I know how I was effected by his death. But, still, I don't see that as a reason to be dishonest or ellusive. And it is certainly no way to change the world. We just need what the Farm has to offer, and we need them to find a more direct way of interacting with us those of us out here on the front lines. Magazines, music and shows are all fine, but nothing's happening on any real level because there is still nothing Zendik to plug into for those of us intelligent enough to know that communal life isn't for us right now(I've tried, believe me). So...we need an organization, a meeting of minds, an alliance, SOMETHING that really says, "hey, this is a fucking revolution that we are going to win". Even having access to more of Wulf's writing would be a good start at this point (no, Kel's interpretations really ain't doing it for me, sorry), unless Zendik Farm is just a community of artists and that's that, in which case they shouldn't claim to be anything else. This is the challange they face. I see it as our responsibilty to make them live up to their claims. So, let's do that and stop whining about their hypocracy. Onward...

 

Does anyone know how their "system" is set up as to who will be in charge of the farm when Arol passes?

 

I'd think Fawn would be in charge.... Unless Arol goes completly batty and tries to have the entire Farm commit suicide.

 

their "don't go" movie is pretty cool

its sort of creepy in the credits how they say "special thanks and love to arol" as if shes the almighty ruler

http://www.zendik.org/Don't_Go/dontgomovie.html

 

It sounds like "Don't Go" would be a good response to the original question posted by Free at the start of this thread!!

 

I've lived in Austin all my life, and remember well when the Zendiks were active here in the 1990s. I watched them on Access TV, and even bought a few of their 'zines and one tape. I was very disillusioned with society at the time (still am), and so was looking for a larger group of like-minded people to live and work with, since the alternative scene here of the 60s and 70s had mostly degenerated into self-absorbed band obsessions with no larger social goals. I was skeptical of their claim that society could be transformed primarily through art (this is a larger issue that I'd be happy to discuss with anyone). Like many, I too found something offputting about their groupspeak. I thought very seriously about going out for a visit, but never did, because deep down I knew that the whole "change the world through zendik art and ecolibrium" thing they projected wasn't real. I don't mean to sound like I was in any way more perceptive than those who fell under their spell; I was older, in my early 30s at this time, and had already seen a lot of well-meaning and not-so-well-meaning pied pipers.

I just happened to think about the Zendiks recently, for some reason, so did a google, and lo and behold, this thread came up. I truly believe that redlentil in particular, but all of you who have shared your on-site experiences with the Zendiks have done a great service to young people who are looking for an alternative and are thinking about going there. It does sadden me that some who have read this thread still don't get it - or maybe they do, and think it will somehow work out for them. But this thread will help get the word out to more people, and will help to save lives from being seriously messed with. I'm appalled that anyone could suggest that what happened back then doesn't matter today, since it's not that way anymore. I remember that they really did try to pass themselves off as a (the?) viable solution to the problem of meaninglessness in the larger "deathkulture," an intriguing proposition to those of us who think that's exactly what the dominant culture is today. I was there, I remember the Access TV shows and the 'zines - I listened, and read, and decided that as tempting as it was, something didn't feel right. Now I know my gut reaction was right. I hope more people come forward with their experiences, good and bad. It feels raw for awhile sometimes after sharing things that can seem shameful - those things we tell ourselves no one else must find out about. If done in the right way, it can be the best way of getting past it. I'm not saying that going public with such things is always the best way, but if after thinking it through, how best to express the situation, it is possible to put it into words here or elsewhere, it does a service to those at risk of getting involved with any kind of cult. It helps them to recognize the signs, and warns them to think again about whether they really want to get involved in something where that is a likely outcome.

I'm sorry if this sounds judgemental, but I've personally known too many people who were exploited when young to just accept the argument that all those people got exactly what they really wanted, since they were "free to leave at any time." An abusive relationship is an abusive relationship.

 

Take a look at the photos of their new property in West Virginia that they just posted on their website, www.zendik.org Talk about a yuppie country estate! They definitely made out OK by selling their North Carolina digs to the developers.

 

Well I read up on this and it sounds like Im convinced not to go their However I would like some Ideas form you or anyone else on where are some good places to check out are..... Thanks

 

What kind of place do you want to live? As the Zendiks themselves say, it takes a certain kind of person to do well there. I think they are more clear on that than they used to be. Building intentional communities takes hard, sustained work. As someone wrote on another thread, many want to join up once the community is already established, but few want to take the lead in organizing the community. The advantage of being in the vanguard is that you get to help choose what direction the community will take. If you want to live somewhere already established, you at least owe it to yourself and to your prospective neighbors/coworkers/friends there to do enough research in advance to at least have a reasonable expectation that you might fit in and be happy in that particular group. So again, the question is, what kind of place do you want to live? What are your goals, (if any - maybe that's what you're trying to find out, that's ok too). What are your values (what is important to you)? What kind of work can you do, and like to do? Once you can articulate some of these things, it will be possible for others to at least point you in some directions. Best wishes on your journey!

 

Well I have been around and done a lot so far... I like to learn new trades/jobs..... I have been a computer tech for sony.... I have done factory work.... I can cook....Pizza maker.....I am a Brewer of beer and wine.... Graphic Designer..... Web design..... Videographer..... Photography...... Both Digital format..... I am a writer/poet..... I can build rustic furnichure..... and some carpentry..... I have done retail, Cust. service and Sales..... Did office work/ data entry and filing BS...... Promo's and fundraisers...... DJ......Lighting Tech and Stage Crew..... Bartender and bouncer.....Well tahts all i can think of right now.....
I dont have a set path but only want to see alot and have fun..... I dont really want to stay at one place for to long.....
I want to do some traveling and kinda make money along the way to keep on keeping on.... I can always go back home to my Sony job but I will be stuck in a cubical for 9hr a day..... I quit back in july and came to a eco lodge to learn how to build and much more www,pollywoggholler.com fun place.... It was a total differnt lifestyle but was fun..... I been rich poor happy sad and tested in many ways.... I am overall a fun guy and trustworthy.... Not perfect or a saint but a big heart.....

The other day my friend told me i am a hobo = Traveling tradesman... I thought it was funny....

Well I hope this helps a bit I really just want good references to places i see but if something is worth seeing for a short time let me know that5 also.....

Thank You

 

Based on the variety of skills you have, and the fact that you're still young, I'd say you have a great opportunity to explore the world and take the time to find a place you really like. Here's one idea:
http://www.thefarm.org
I've never been there, but I know someone who was, many years ago, and it still seems like an intriguing place. They not only have created a successful and long-running community, but the benefits radiate out from the community, as you can read about.
Here's another idea: Since you want to travel, and seem adventurous, have you ever considered teaching English overseas? It's not living in an intentional community by any means, but it is an opportunity to spend some time away from America and life in the cubicle. I enjoy talking with people from other countries, and am considering doing this myself. If nothing else, this also makes for some interesting reading:
http://www.eslcafe.com/
Well, that's just my 2¢. I'd just keep reading the Communal Living forum to find out more. Happy trails...:sunglasse

Edit: Something to consider: most successful intentional communities do not ''advertise'' for new members. I know of one near Austin called Greenbriar, which I visited years ago. It was a very nice place, but I never hear anything about it anymore. For all I know, they are living happily and perhaps accept new members by word of mouth. You have to ask yourself why any group would solicit new members on a wide open forum. It could be because they are just starting out, or some members moved on to other things, or because things are not working well there. Caveat emptor and all that. I'd think that making enquiries at places such as cooperative groceries, festivals, farmers' markets, anything like that where like-minded people gather would be the best way to find a good intentional community.

 

From the look of it, Zendik has changed its environment from shabby Texas to mod West Virginia, and from the pictures they've posted on their website, the Zendik Farm isn't really a farm these days: they seem to have more computers than barns.

 

It doesn't look like a farm at all, but more like a country club in a gated subdivision (as mikey said below). Way to sell out.