Zendik Farm - redeux

I've known about Hip Forums for a long time (years), but stumbled back across them a couple of days ago during an online search for information about a mysterious nearby community called Zendik.

I have to say, the 85-page thread (now closed) of which I'm on page 23, is a real 'eye-opener'. As you folks may notice from my previous post, I am running a forum to discuss Intentional Community, both to act as a resource for those interested in or living in IC, and to help raise awareness of the movement.

Anyway, I was inspired by that thread, to add a new section to my forum called "Cult Awareness". (link - http://www.mfipb.com/index.php?mforum=communityonline&showforum=36)

The purpose of that new section, is to provide information about cults and possible cults, for those seeking community. Simply lay down some guidelines about things to watch out for, things you can do to help protect youself from them, etc.

I just wanted to take a few minutes (since that original thread is closed), to express my thanks to brave people who shared their stories on that thread about their experiences with Zendik. Red Lentil in particular, I applaud you for your frankness. I've tried to reach you (RL) to see if you would allow me to repost your 'story' on my site, to reach others who might be interested in these people, but for some reason I'm unable to 'private message' anyone in this forum.

Whether or not Zendik (and places like it - which I'm sure there are others) is a true 'cult' or not, but I do believe that there is enough evidence out there to warrant extreme caution to anyone who considers going in that direction.

By the way, I originally stumbled across Zendik by searching youtube for Intentional Communities videos. They have a 'talk show' online, which I watched a few episodes of. I became curious as to who they were. Some of the stuff they said made a lot of sense and echoed the way I feel about a lot of things. On the other hand, the episode I watched where 'Fawn' speaks out... kind of gave me chills. She seemed totally sane and I thought 'Hmm, she seems like a pretty cool chick!' until one little spot where she started talking about people telling her she didn't know what the 'real world' was like (at around 14:10 into the video). At that point, the mask dropped. Her face changed and she flashed "Well bull-effing-shit!" (not sure about the language policies here). Anyway... that kind of made me back up and think hmmm, this gal doesn't have it all together. She has issues.

(the vid if you're curious - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p9NM_MPLXrk)

Anyway, thanks again folks. Anyone who would like to pop over to my forum and help with the 'cult awareness', or anything else for that matter, is more than welcome.

Be well!

GG - IC Connection
http://www.mfipb.com/index.php?mforum=communityonline

 

looks like some good work you're doing. thought i'd help you out and get a message to RedLentil but he/she hasn't logged on since mid 2005.

you have to make a few more posts before you can PM.
good journey.

 

Thanks muchly I appreciate both your help and your information! Someone actually did forward me Red Lentil's contact information and I sent her an email, though I've yet to hear from her. I don't know if she simply hasn't checked her email, or if she doesn't want to talk/think about the whole scene anymore, or if I went to her spam box. Ah well, no harm in trying, eh? How's life in 'ecotopia'?

 

in a word life here is awesome! the air, land and water are pure and the trees are hugging back!

zendik... i met a woman from there last fall at a march, she was selling their rag and asked if i'd ever heard of the place. well i had heard all about it already and i suppose it showed on my face when i said so because she looked incredibly uncomfortable after that. in retrospect, i would have liked to hear her version of what it's all about but life is full of missed opportunities.

how are things in your neck of the woods?

 

Not as great as they could be, apparently! Sounds like you have your living right. Where is your 'ecotopia'? (I love that illustration by Crumb)

Interesting about your encounter with a Zendik girl. I guess they don't bother to press people who have 'heard things' about them, eh?

 

my ecotopia is right next door, state-wise and in an easternly fashion. until today i'd never heard of that illustration but what a great idea and work of art. my ecotopia reference comes from the book by the same name, written by Callenbach around the mid 70s. in it northern california, oregon and washington have seceded and banned the internal combustion motor and Callenbach paints an interesting portrait of that world. i recommend it for your lighter reading moments.

i didn't intend to cause her discomfort but i was surprised she didn't try to defend the place.

how long has WV been your home?

 

Yeah a few of the folks here at echowood previously lived at Zendik. They were displeased with it after wulf passed away. Different strokes for different folks, when wulf ran the place it was great, as soon as Arol took over it got creepy... sad but the truth... I only know from the talk of others... never seen it myself but the website did kinda creep me out. It's all pictures of Arol. Is that they way a community web should be all, about a single person? I think not. But who knows maybe Arol is a cool lady... The website was just enough to drive me away.

 

Do you live in IC? I would be interested in hearing about it.

Yeah, I'm familiar with the book, though I've never read it (I need to). I just love the visual aspect of the Crumb artwork of that scene.

I've been in and out of WV all of my life. My mom's family is from here, my dad's family is from NJ. We used to drive between the two states each year when I was in school (wasn't great for me though, being yanked back and forth like that). I moved to CA in '97 and we've been back in WV the last couple of years. As for 'home'? I'm still looking for that.

 

Replied over on the IC Connection forum where you posted.

 

i've visited 2 communites and stayed in one for 3 months, both were on the west coast. the first one was a farm, privately owned and managed, though the rhetoric was that this was a community. the owners were mean-spirited and distrusting folks and their influence was never so obvious as the weekend they left. the atmosphere suddenly changed for the better and everyone recognized it. it was a great expereince all the same and the other folks that shared the trenches were fantastic.
the second was more of a spiritual place and had a shared religious focus though participation wasn't mandatory. everyone was expected to contribute. most people did. it's a wholly peaceful place run by a Shoshone medicine man. i stayed there 2 weeks in 2005 and visited for a few days this past december. the last time, i worked my buns off trying to get their vehicles back on the road, as ground crew for a pruning detail and fixing the stove. i'm certain to return for another visit.
so i've never seen myself living in a community though i'm not opposed to it. i can see myself in an urban one before a rural one and in fact tried to get one started here in Richmond but couldn't connect with like-minded folks.
so is geekgirl a reference to your prodigious computer skills or your affectation for sci-fi? i'm curious about your experience with community living. are you in one now?

 

I guess that was very telling, when the place you were staying became so much 'better' without the folks running it! That sounds so much like what people experienced on the Zendik thread.

The spiritual community sounds interesting, but that kind of thing probably wouldn't be for me. I've studied various organized religions and practices, but have never really felt comfortable with any of them, so feeling peer pressure to 'join in' on the practice would probably turn me off, even if they were otherwise cool. I seriously thought about joining a zen monastery a few times when I was younger, I did do meditation for a good while, but I decided I probably wouldn't be happy there since I do tend to have 'issues' with too much of a controlled atmosphere.

I do not currently live in IC, but I am in the first stage of the membership process at Twin Oaks - in other words, they know I am interested in membership and I will be setting up my 'visitation period' to try them out... unless things change drastically for me. I have some family problems I'm trying to get sorted out right now, before I make any solid plans in that direction.

'geekgirl' mostly refers to computer geekiness. I run a computer repair shop and spend most of my time on a keyboard - of course if I'm able to live in IC, that will be reduced quite a bit as I will have other things to occupy my time during the day, no doubt. But, I'm also into sci-fi stuff and other general geekiness. I was the only die-hard female AD&D player in our group in college (peaceful journies Gary!!).

 

would you prefer to continue this conversation in a more private venue? we've totally hijacked this thread! i just tried to send you a private message but apparently it's not working/on.

 

Hey there, it's great to help people be more aware of communial living and such... I've been looking for a place for a while, and found a few I'd like to check out when I get my things in order.
As for liking things that give you the label as a geek, I don't agree with labels, I too like sci-fi and have played Dungeons and Dragons for over 15 years in the past, but I also play guitar, write poetry, study nature, hike and camp, etc. I listen to new age, goth, metal, classical, and more, so I'd have one hell of a label...lol.

Anyhow, keep us posted with the commune info...
Thanks for your efforts, peace to you and family,
Spirit Wynd

 

yep sure Don't know why my PM isn't working, I think it has to do with my not having posted enough yet or something.

You can contact me through the IC Connection forum
http://www.mfipb.com/index.php?mforum=communityonline

or my email - geekgirl70 (the at sign) gmail.com

 

heheh I agree with the label thing, it's just for convenience. I've kind of grown fond of the 'geek' identity though... so that doesn't bother me. Like you, I'm a lot more than that. But I guess folks can discover my other aspects over time.

Thanks for the positive feedback! Be well.

 

As you may know I lived at ZF. Granted my posts in that other thread were harsh but I was into telling the "Truth" as the Zendiks do. Not much I can say now as it seems you have them pretty much figured out as would anyone that spends time with their "stuff".
Wulf said it best. A lie cannot be sustained.

 

I really enjoyed reading your posts on that thread, thanks for sharing. I've wondered how your own project has evolved since then? Are you still creating community, or did you find one to move to? What ever happened to the 'postzendik' site? I tried to find it, but no luck. Everything seems to be dead. Speaking of being dead... when I tried to contact ZF to let them know about my forum site, the email bounced. Much of the website is down. I didn't try to phone them... and don't plan to, but perhaps things aren't going so well 'down on the farm' anymore.

 

My project! Well, after spending almost every cent I had and taking in countless people who said they were into the cause it all fell through a huge crack in the floor! Seems EGOs got in the way big time! Post Zendik cost money which I didn't feel like spending every month all by my lonesome so....
As far as Zendik being on the quite I'd like to think their Cosmic Pizza Delivery Service caught up with them, if you know what I mean. I do know a complaint was filed with the IRS about their 501C3 status. How do I know? I did it.
Bottom line is when you say you are something that you are clearly not and play these games with people and the government some day it will come back to you. Zendik Farm or Arts has nothing to do with a legit non profit that is helping artists. They just wanted bigger donations that were tax free so they could keep the place up for Arol and Fawn & Company and that's it.
My advice is to let it go. Get on with your project and spend little or no time pondering Zendik Farm regardless with what is happening or not with them. Go outside and let the Sun warm your face and be glad you never lived at Zendik Farm.

 

I'm currently at ZF, have been for 5 weeks, and am desperately trying to find somewhere else to stay. I've resolved myself to hitchhiking away sometime soon, and fear I will have to steal away in the middle of the night.

Anyone who can help, please email me at binaryhelix@gmail.com

 

Zendix farms is a text book example of a fucked up cult.