Zendik

Good times at Zendik? I recall swimming nude in the river with the other fringy "new people." The river wrapped around the Texas property and with the lack of rain then (certainly unlike this year in central Texas), the water was green but almost clear. The daytime temperature approached 100 degrees each day and after working in the sun & sleeping in a dark-colored trailer called "the moble" without air conditioning, the river was a wonderful refuge with its almost cool water, sandy bottom, gator ghars, and catfish.

I also recall helping to build a concrete swimming pool at night because the weather was too hot to shovel gravel during the day. People worked hard on the project under bare lightbulbs strung up on poles with duct tape and they worked together, exhibiting a wonderful sense of cooperation. On those few nights, I thought that perhaps the Zendik dream was true, that it really was a better culture emerging.

I recall working in the carpenter's shop building useful objects from scrap wood to my great satisfaction.

I recall looking up at the milkyway from the roof talking about nothing and anything with the other fringy new people.

As "godlesscommie" says, the good parts of living at Zendik have little to do with Zendik itself. The good bits have to do with being outside most of the day & evening on a pastoral farm where interesting weirdos would show up every few days and provide interesting conversation and gossip for a day, a week, or a month until they moved on. The Zendiks had set up an environment which could be really fun if you didn't take the place too seriously, but of course you would eventually get thrown out unless you ruined the whole experience by getting dragged into the effort to please Arol & company and show your "commitment."

The committed Zendiks did very little of the kinds of things I describe (except help build the pool, of course). They were caught up in the official culture of conformity and wouldn't dare go hang out on the roof with the smokers. Most Zendiks wouldn't swim in the river, either, because it's polluted (true, but I've swum in worse - and as Red Lentil says, the Zendiks are obsessed with 'purity' as if interacting with any part of the the non-Zendik world without official sanction would strike you down).

One day I was kidding around in the "big house" living room with a few people and one young woman said "I can't believe you're so relaxed and just joking like that here, I'm too afraid of them to do that."

 

Dalamar writes:

That wouldn't work. Arol owns the land, and it's all about Arol.

The 30-50 people should skip Zendik & start something new using lessons learned from Zendik.

 

Perhaps. Perhaps not. They are a 501c3 organization. I would have to get a hold of their bylaws.

Also, if a large enough group was united it may well encourage others to stand up to their “leader”. They would have bend, if not brake their rules so long as all stayed together. If they kick one out then all leave. That sort of thing. They can’t kick out 30-50 people all at once. Not unless the “inner circle” wants to do all the work themselves.

Not a bad idea at all. I thought I suggested that in the first paragraph. Also, it’s a far more productive use of energy.

 

If Arol got kicked out (lol) where would she go?

How come they make it appear as if there are only twenty people or so worth mentioning on the farm?

What did the new people in the "inner circle" do to get into it? (other than fucking)

How come they never show anything that is actually growing on the "farm"?

How come there are no pictures of anyone doing any work on the farm? (is that not the main thing that happens?)

What does the twelve hours of work consist of every day? (like hefting haybales)

 

The only hard work they seem to mention on the website is the promoting of the farm(phone calls and selling on the streets).Oh and that Arol is such the backbone and does just about everything!Of course they're not gonna show anyone working their asses off lifting something heavy in the sun in the middle of the afternoon.They don't want people to know they'll be treated like that until they get there.........

 

Funny... Now that I think about it the Zendiks spent quite a bit of $ on me. I had to see a Doc once and they took me. Law got them to but me some nice, new carpenter tools and there were several long distance phone calls and I was in the second group to leave Texas for Florida.
I rejected Lore while waiting for Zara to get to Florida, things kind of went down hill from there. You guys smoked?!! Geeeezzzeezzz! I'd have to grab CatNip and smoke it behind a barn and if someone smelled that on me all hell would break loose.... One time Aera busted out a can of tobacco and let me roll up a smoke, I thought that was cool.
Aera left and they gave her a Van and money to get to Oregon. I'm thinking Bugsy and Chen also got a few bucks when they left.
Being a non profit they have a Board of Directors, a coup could not happen.
My fondest memories are only about Zara.

 

Dalamar writes

Forget it! Arol owns the land: she can kick out anyone she likes, and the bylaws would never allow a coup. And knowing the Zendiks, they'd probably use a divide & conquer stratagy to break up your group of 30 people.

Look at it another way, what if a bunch of people came into an organization that you'd built up for over 30 years and tried a hostile takeover? How would you react? Zendik isn't a corporation there are no shares, and new people can't take it over. Why mess with Zendik at all? Why not start something new without all of the bagage.

 

FTNW: In my day, the Zendiks tolerated smoking among the very newest people, but once you were a resident for awhile, you were expected to quit, more or less cold turkey. In a sense (and I'm not at all proud of this...) my life at Zendik Farm revolved around the quest to sneak smokes without anyone noticing, once I was told straight out, if I wanted to be a Zendik, then the smoking needed to stop immediately, absolutely, and permanently. It got pretty ridiculous, like Yogi Bear and Boo-Boo constantly trying to steal the pic-a-nic baskets under the ranger's nose...In fact, I'm guessing that the "zero tolerance" policy that you faced was a direct result of the sort of bullshit I and my contemporaries used to pull...

 

I get the feeling that in the past few years the Zendiks have tightened up on pretty much everything.

Also, I'm sure being told that you can't smoke made you want to smoke all the more.

I'd ride my bike down to the J Mart (I think it was called) a tiny, dusty convenience store a couple miles down the road from Zendik to buy a candy bar whenever I could. I rarely eat one now, but Zendik made me crave deathkultur food.

 

The goal would not be to kick her out but, humble her a bit and force some concessions like deciding things more democratically, better working conditions and so forth. If she were just kicked out then (we) would be just as bad as her.

Good question! You would think they would want to show all their members.

I have no idea since I have never been there. I would imagine that they, in some way, proved that they are true zendiks and dedicated themselves to the zendik life. Perhaps someone who knows more can give you a better answer.

From what I gather (from previous posts) the 12 hours also includes meeting, mandatory zendik philosophy calsses and I think a mandatory meditation time. So it is not 12 hours of hard labor but, still exhausting all the same. ( If I am mistaken I am sure some one will correct me on this)

I agree that legally challenging the farm is the least palatable of the 3 choices I mentioned but, it can be done even with a not for profit. As for the divide and conquer issue, they can only do that if we let them. This is where we would have to say strong. As a group we can promote change! Don’t get me wrong, I am not saying charge in and take over the place. You push for change over time.

That, as I have said, is the best option. But where would we start. We would need money to purchase land, equipment, food etc. Suggestions anyone?

 

Hey Gang,

I'm back from a road trip to Asheville, nope I didnt buy any mags, actually I didnt see any "Road Warriors" I am sure they are plugging DC as thats the easy trip from W. VA.

The smokes were banned in NC, Kee had the job of relenquishing the newbies from their habit, they had three days to quit or they were asked to leave. I dont know anyone that gave up smokes for the Zendik way.

There financial info is totally bogus as 95% of their mag, CD & T-shirt sales are in cash and undeclared, although all their expenses are accounted for.

The clothes and shoe donations were pretty funny, someone would drop off a box of stuff and then it was a free for all trying to get the useless stuff to wear. Some of the guys didnt have underwear or socks and couldnt get any. Couple of people had no soles in their shoes and one guy who needed boots had to wait four months then pay half for them, no they dont provide for you.

Red Lentil had "toilet paper to wipe", probably her only luxury but in NC everyone peed outside, no wiping or hand washing required, drip dry please.

Hopefully everyone washed before cooking?

Nah, thats human nature to forget to wash your hands. Even worse, no washing facility by the outhouses!!!

There were some wealthy members there but they have gone now so Zendik may be feeling the pinch.

I wouldnt want to start a coup there, why waste your time living around all that negative energy.
Hey, I have an idea

"Quit bitchin and start a revolution"

Ha Ha

 

How about "Keep Bitchin' and Start A Revolution?" Ain't gonna be no revolution without some bitchin'.

Yes, trying to "take over Zendik" is a really really bad idea. You might as well try to take over Iraq. . .

What exactly does Zendik have that anyone would want: a plot of land in West Virginia (of all places) and a few poop holes already dug? Start with a clean slate! Having a big war with Arol (of all people) is no way to start a new community.

 

Two good points, Greenhornet. First, the Zendik slogan of “Stop bitching, start a revolution” might sound good on the surface, but it’s really false in the alternative it implies...it seems to say, no matter what you’re doing out here in the Dealthkultur, at the end of the day, it’s all a lot of useless bitching, whereas, at Zendik Farm, they’ve stopped bitching in order to do something grandly “revolutionary”...and both of these propositions are obviously false.

Second, the idea of “staging a coup” at the Farm might be fun to fantasize about on an internet message board...but its only purpose would be to “teach Arol a lesson,” and that’s not really high on my list of priorities...and I dare say, it shouldn't be very high on anyone else's list of priorities, either. There are many, many Enemies of the People who need to be taught a lesson before Arol Zendik...

 

I agree. I have continually said that starting fresh would be the best idea but, noone seems to have any suggestions as to how we would start. How did the zendiks or other groups start?

 

Before we offer suggestions, it would be helpful to know what you're trying to start, exactly. I'm not trying to be a smart ass here (well, maybe just a bit)...this is actually a crucial question. Indeed, part of the reason that the Zendiks can seem so full of shit is that they obviously haven't really thought through exactly what they're trying to accomplish, or what the underlying concept of the Zendik Farm experiment is. "Saving the world" and "making everyone happy" are not coherent concepts to base a social movement's identity around...nor is "starting a revolution" (what the hell does that mean? overthrowing the state? changing the dominant ideology? getting people to use organic tamari instead of plain old soy sauce?). The Zendiks don't seem to know what they mean by "revolution," and they certainly haven't thought of any particular concrete strategy for starting one (unless we think of "revolution" in the Nike ad sense of the word...)

I'm suddenly remembering a "South Park" episode where a bunch of little gnomes start stealing the South Park kids' underwear. At one point, the gnomes unfurl a sign that outlines their fiendish plan: "Step 1: gather underpants...Step 2: ????....Step 3: PROFIT!" The level of thinking that has gone into the Zendik scheme is not much different than the underpants gnomes' scheme: "Step 1: get people to move to Zendik Farm...Step 2: ????....Step 3: REVOLUTION!"

I digress. Anyway, you haven't told us what your project is...and I imagine that your political priorities might not be the same as mine, or anyone else's on this board. Is the idea to build a "kinder, gentler" Zendik Farm, without the cultish qualities or hierarchy? Well, Zendik Farm is a hierarchical cult to its core...it's founded on the belief that Wulf is the greatest mind in human history, so we should follow his every teaching (via his appointed successors) in our daily lives. Zendik Farm without the idiotic Zendik belief system is like...well, calling yourself a Christian even though you don't believe in Jesus, never go to church, etc. The point is, instead of using Zendik as a model for your project, whatever it is, I'm sure you can find better ones.

 

godlesscommie

No I do not just want to create a “kinder version” of zendik farm. I hope it would be nothing like the farm. I do want to create a true community. I want to offer people who would be attracted to zendik farm an alternative. I do not want to set up something where there is a bunch of people following “my vision”. What I want, is the group to develop the mission/vision. I do have a few ideas of my own but, I would like to here from other people first. That way I am a just a facilitator not a leader.

 

One can setup a Zendik kind of community but it takes a few dedicated people and a lot of cash. Without any of this forget it.
I made an attempt a few years ago but the money issue took me down. I'm trying again soon as I'm now working my ass off to pay for writers and stuff. I plan to start off with an Eco House for writers and activists to live while persuing their art. We'll be doing the Mag thing to see if we can generate as much $ as Zendik Farm does which can hopefully pay the rent and attract more people to our organization. Hopefully in time land can be seen...
I'd like to see an organization that is politically involved with ballot measures with several non profit and for profit organizations under it's wing......

 

Dalamar, this talk of a "coup" at the farm is insane. No offense, but Zendik Farm is Arol's home. She and her mate started it and now she owns it. I think they sound like a bunch of nuts and I have met many of them, visited, and done alot of research due to my interest, including but not limited to reading this entire thread. If someone is interested in going then do that - go. If you are not interested then don't go, but to suggest that a bunch of strangers should go into this womans home and "teach her a lesson" or "humble her" or take over her home in any way is absolutely crazy. Can you imagine how you would feel if a couple of strangers decided they didn't agree with the way you were running your home and decided to come in and run you off or tell you how to live your life. I'm sure it would not be met with a positive response. I'd call the police and have said persons removed from my property immediately. I'm not agreeing or disagreeing with anything being discussed here but in regard to this it is simple - it's her place. She can run it however she jolly wells and if you aren't into her scene then don't go. Start your own place. The very mention that anyone should go there to take over is so twisted that I had to respond. What is this, Nazi Germany? No, it's a free country and people can live as they wish. This goes for the folks living there as well - leave if it isn't for you, but to suggest running her off - that just sent me into orbit.

 

I agree with godlesscommie that there’s no way to create another Zendik Farm, nor would we want to. The whole Zendik concept is based on a paternalistic notion that Wulf & Arol know best and that the rest of the people there are their children (now half orphaned, but no matter, Wulf lives on in Arol’s interpretation of him). As children, they can talk back a bit, but still have to tow the Zendik family line or leave.



Zendik supports itself in part by selling magazines chock full of false hope. What I mean is they claim to be trying to “save the world” and offering a fictional revolutionary lifestyle in a friendly “funky” and holistic environment. The problem with giving people false hope is that most of them get really pissed off when they arrive at Zendik and discover they’ve been lied to.



I do think that a few Zendik ideas and practices are instructive:



1) The Zendiks are right: psychologically humans are meant to live in a relatively close-knit group of say 30-100 people. The problem is that in our modern isolation, most of us have forgotten how to do that, so any new community must provide a combination of community and the opportunity for genuine personal development & optional privacy.



2) The idea of a community that publishes a magazine, creates music & sells its art and invents or implements sustainable technologies is a great one. However, the magazine would have to be more literary in nature and include information on REAL sustainable technologies and not be simplistic & repetitive like the Zendik mag. And the band, if there were one or even more than one, would have to be allowed to pursue its own creative path. Imagine how successful a community could be if it contained a well-known band, and a few published writers? It would be able to support itself easily.



3) The Zendiks discuss how screwed up we all are, and they’re right. Any successful community would have to focus on creative ways of sustaining an environment conducive to mental wellbeing and growth. The types of people who go to a commune are not always the most socially adjusted.



5) The Zendiks emphasize cooperation over competition and any community must do the same, however, the Zendiks want people to cooperate only if it’s with the leaders. A healthy community would work toward healthy debate and consensus building.



There’s a lot one can learn from Zendik about how to do and how not to do certain things, and I suspect that’s why so many of we Zendik alumni are so interested in the place many years after we left.



So a new community has to be democratic, but no so unstructured that people hang around playing guitars all day. And you would also have to have structures in place to throw people out, if they’re destructive or just plain unpleasant.



No matter what community you create, there would always be people who wouldn’t like it for this or that reason, and would leave cussing you out. Who knows, their might be a Hip-Forum thread about your community one day.

 

Here's a typical bit of Wulf's prose, from "A quest among the bewildered" (currently posted on www.zendik.org homepage):

"People are people and they all, no matter what the color or form of their skin and eyes and hair are filled with the same feelings of inadequacy, incompetency, longing for security, hate of mother and father and other men and women--full of beaten, distorted, defiled, twisted instincts. "


I'm saddened by these cynical assumptions of universal self-hatred and neo-Freudian oedipal fatalism (which are pervasive in Wulf's "philosophy"). It makes me wish that there was an afterlife, just so Gilles Deleuze could shove his ghostly boot up Wulfy's ass.

At Zendik Farm I was told that I ("like everyone") was a sick and hateful person, that I ("like everyone") was incapable of cooperative behaviour because I ("like everyone") was rotting away from the inside out. If you were depressed or upset and it was affecting your work they'd say "We're all depressed! And we are working harder than you! So get over it!"

The language of equality was thusly used to denigrate us all, perpetuating and exploiting self-hatred, denying the diversity of human experience and desire, denying the positive (it MUST be tainted if it ain't Zendik), offering group identity as the only way out of this "hell" of negative emotion. Alone, you're a hopeless heap of shit-- but if you do as the Zendiks say, if you denounce your old life and self-- you might be broken down into some useful psychic compost..

So.. we're all shit.. but non-Zendiks are especially (and more literally) shit..

I remember Arol telling Aera (the health administrator) to stop giving herbal medicine to ailing newcomers because it was "like pouring fresh water into a sewer". She said this in front of the group (including the sick newcomers). They were given commercial remedies instead-- cough syrup, pepto bismol-- things the Zendiks considered poison. Since they were sewers, we could shit down their throats.