The Findhorn Foundation (with its community and eco-village) is one of the older intentional communities in the UK, located in the north of Scotland. Their website suggests that, “One of the aims of our community is to create an environment that enables each one of us to deepen our connection with all of life, and to open to transformation within ourselves and within the group. The invitation is to let go of limitations, open to love, and be the change you want to see in the world.” They also publish books and hold lots of courses.
Dutch-based site and concept for what they describe as:
"A Flow Town can be seen as a combination between an (eco) village, care farm, inspiration and education place. They are meant to be about 90% self-sufficient. With their own flow-school, own food supply, and a recycling purpose. The purpose is a global network of flow towns (eco villages).”
So, all about making connections. Some of those involved with discussing the term have also described making an international network of places where ‘nomads’ can travel to, stop and move on. Link to their website with videos, pics, the book, ‘Nova Globe’ and info on summer camps and more.
A movement or a non-movement? Performance as art? Free spaces as art?
Founded from ideas in the Manifesto developed by George Maciunas who was Lithuanian American artist. He was a founding member and the central coordinator of Fluxus, an international community of artists, architects, composers, and designers. Other leading members brought together by this movement included Ay-O, Joseph Beuys, George Brecht, Dick Higgins, Yoko Ono, Nam June Paik, and Wolf Vostell.
Complex ideas…
Fort van Sjakoo bookshop in Amsterdam, Netherlands is an international libertarian and radical bookseller, who are described as the ‘Robin Hood of booksellers’, supporting the poor and downtrodden against the rich.
Renowned and greatly missed Zippie psychonaut. Originator of many trippy, hippy events and publications. Including the Encyclopedia Psychedelica, Megatripolis and the youniversity.
Old sites, but they include links to some interesting material. Plus a tiny video clip of Fraser with Terence McKenna.
Freedom Press is the oldest anarchist publishers in the world. Alongside their books, they run Freedom newspaper and a bookshop in London’s east end. In 2013 there was an attempt to firebomb their premises.
The Free Tibet Campaign keeps the world informed on what is going on inside Tibet. And mobilises support for the Free Tibet campaign around the globe.
Tibet has been occupied by China since 1950 and the 14th Dalai Lama since 1959, has been forced to live in exile in India working with a Tibet Government in Exile. The head of the Tibetan Buddhism, which used to be based in Lhasa, he has expressed no hatred towards the Chinese and sought to work for Tibetan autonomy, showing genuine compassion, integrity and kindness. He is the epitomy of non-violence, following on from the teachings of Gandhi.
It is believed that the Chinese government plans to put a ‘puppet’ Dalai Lama in his Holy Holiness’s place when he dies.
There are many campaigns and organisations fighting for a move towards a free Tibet in some form.
Links to the official Dalai Lama site and the UK-based Free Tibet campaign.
One of the most esoteric thinkers of the twentieth century. His ideas and writings provided ‘mind food’ for many free cultural spaces and people. A complex legacy. Here are a couple of links that introduce us to elements of that legacy including the ‘Gurdjieff International Review’.
“Without struggle, no progress and no result.”
Their website states that: “The Gaia Foundation is passionate about regenerating cultural and biological diversity, and restoring a respectful relationship with the Earth. Together with long-term partners in Africa, South America, Asia and Europe, we work with local communities to secure land, seed, food and water sovereignty. By reviving indigenous knowledge and protecting sacred natural sites, local self-governance is strengthened.”
This is described on the site link as: “Through Gaia University, they are pioneering educational designs that allow learners to discover and demonstrate grounded solutions to complex ecological and social problems through the integration of ecosocial theory and hands-on practice.”
The founders are: Liora Adler and Andrew Langford, who have been deeply involved as leaders in ecovillage, permaculture, bioregional and consensus facilitation worknets for over thirty years.