July 1st, 2006: The Gathering

This is the best description I have found of what rainbow is and represents. I think it is worth reading.


reprinted from All Ways Free, Winter of 1988
written by Garrick Beck




We are utterly capable of seeking and finding the pure natural experience without subjecting ourselves to all this trouble. So, why so we put this on our shoulder and go on? Why do we do it? I mean: Why gather?


Because we love each other. We really do.
Because we are creating something new and beautiful. Don't believe there's nothing new under the sun. This is as new as anything can be in the long term development of human culture.
Because we hold the vision of a peaceful world in our inner eyes-in our hearts and we make it real in this outside world.
Because it is a thrill to experience a cooperative society.
Because it is a great pleasure to live-even briefly- together in a state of expanded freedom.
Because only when we take personal responsibility for the needs of each other-water, food, security, fuel, healing, childcare and recycling- do we take mature responsibility for our lives.
Because the children need something gentle and loving to look forward to.
Because it is important to teach and learn as much as possible about human communication.
Because we dream of gathering everywhere with people of all lands and traditions.
Because we are fed up with the war economy, economic exploitation and political overlording and we want to try something else.
Because under all the party-style wrapping paper, the gathering represents a very serious example of functional culture.
Because gathering teaches thousands of people, even tens of thousands, respect for the earth, the water, the plants and the animals.
Because all of us, everyone of us, is in need of love and every society must care for its own.
Because laughter, music, celebration and rejoicing in life are needed in this world in great measure.
Because in our celebrations we make a hosanna of great joy.
Because when we work together voluntarily we illuminate the way out from under burden of the government and the banks.
Because gathering unifies ancient tribal wisdom with current ideas and technologies.
Because people+nature+eco-harmony= beauty
Because when we gather together we bring to life a society without human prejudice.
Because gathering internets people from all over the world who are actively participating in the conscious evolution of our species.
Because when we gather we touch each other in a spiritual place where we are all part of one human family.
Because we want to inspire hope that it is indeed possible and in fact pleasurable for all kinds of people to live in peace.
Because the world needs to see a positive example and if we don't do it, who else will?
Because outside of the money system we encounter the most generous human natures.
Because light and life and love deserve to be celbrated by lots of us.
Because when we hold hands in our circles we can feel the energy that moves the atoms and the moon and stars.
Because our councils are open to everyone to speak, we hear ideas, poems, stories and wisdom from the seven corners of the earth.
Because the work and play-shops are educational, the massage delightful and the music rich with interlaced harmonies.
Because our example supports the right of people everywhere to be free to assemble peaceably.
Because in the simple relationships of cooperation and volunterism are found the keys to the future.
Because in the simple tasks, the underlying gears and levers that make society go are revealed.
Because when we work together in harmony our divine roots are revealed.
Because it is great to see something large scale that doesn't belong to the giant corporations.
Because gathering inspires us to have faith, to trust each other, to believe in good and goodness and to have the strength- in the face of the rest of the world - to carry on.