"new hippie" is a term I made up for this post to depict some hipness, without any need to subscribe to any stereotypical or traditional hippie ideas. Some I agree with, which is why I like to chat with hippies, and some seem contraindicated within, despite their long-standing popularity. I think the advent of hippies on the event horizon was the greatest thing that ever occurred in modern recorded history...and its effects are still very present today, and will be for as long as we hop around on this globe. While I traveled briefly with a few hippies in the 60s and was offered pot and acid, I refrained from that, and being raised with short hair and in the military at the time, I left that icon to others as well. When someone totally stoned wanted to drive my car, I had the good sense to say no. When the coffee house floor was the sleeping quarters, I felt some of my first freedom and exposure to people who were not afraid to be different than what the status quo demanded. In the late 70s I discovered The Farm, Plenty International, Stephen Gaskin and the gang in Tennessee through Mother Earth News, and was drawn back for a closer look, if not an entirely experiential one. I am not an activist per se, and not looking around for causes to join. My primary agenda is sharing and teaching what I have gained within, and relating it to whatever people are into, often such things as "A Course In Miracles", the Bible, Buddhist or Pagan ideologies, atheistic thought, New Age, or just ordinary down in the trenches day to day living. I kind of like Stephen Gaskins' take on that...to not sweat the ideology so much and get to it...although his focus was certainly more action and activist than mine has been. The "it" I refer to in "get to it" has to do with self-empowerment through self-awareness. I've been around hipplanet, hippyland and hippy.com, etc. for several years, primarily for occasional chat. This is my first post. I heard about the Rainbow Family here, and would like to experience them directly as it becomes possible. My ex and I are involved in the Alternatives to Violence Project (AVP). I am involved as a support person and she as a lead facilitator, board member and other. We maintain their database and have access to information for any interested, including the web site URL. It is a volunteer program of intensive experiential workshops given in prison, high schools and the community. Generally, these are Basic, Advanced, and Training for Trainers workshops. Yes, there are inside facilitators in prisons (even lifers). No, it is not allowed to be run by or governed beyond security concerns by DOC and related. It is very successful in terms of exposing people to greater self-awareness and understanding of themselves and others, and contributing to a sense of community. It has become a worldwide project with a USA national group coordinating local grassroots groups, and various international groups coordinated by an annual international conference between AVP-USA and international regional leaders, etc. Doug - altarlight
