How Much Do You Know About Communal Living ?

Although we have all been reading and hearing about com-
munal living for over a decade, it is still not well-understood by
many people. To get a picture of your own understanding of the
subject. answer the following “true/false" questions. (Try to
use the first answer that comes into your head, rather than be»
laboring each question.)

1) In order for a communal group to function successfully, each
member must be willing to give up a small part of her/his
individuality. Dtrue Ufalse

2) The use of a balanced. rotational sleeping schedule to de-
termine which members of a polyfidelitous family (non-
monogamous within a fidelitous. select group) will sleep

together on a given night inhibits the spontaneity of the
individuals involved. Dtrue Cfalse

3) The main reasons for the break-up of most of the communal
experiments of the late '60s and early 705 were economic
hardship and external political pressures. Dtrue Ufalse

4) It is very easy to transcend jealousy and possessiveness once
you have decided that you want to live in a polyfidelitous group

lifestyle. Dtrue Dfalse

5) It is impossible to have an equally deep. intimate sexual

relationship with more than one person at the same time.
Utrue Clfalse

SCORlNG

10 wrong answers: Well. just think of all you have to learn

about this fascinating subject!
7-9 wrong answers: Don't feel bad. Most people share your
misconceptions.

4-6 wrung answers: You're pretty perceptive.

1-] wrong answers: Eithcr you've had communal experience

yourself. or you are unusually alert.

No wrong answers: Are you sure we haven't met before?

6) it is harder to solve interpersonal problems in a two-person.
committed living situation than in a multiple person. Committed
living situation. ’ Dtrue E false

7) The best place to start an intentional community is in a
country setting. with land enough for a number of people to
move onto. Utrue Flfalse

8) Polyiidelitous group living is a lifestyle that has never before
been tried in the history of humanity. Utrue Ufalsc

9) In a spiritual community. there is inevitably one person with

the greatest wisdom. charisma. and insight who comes to be

respected as a “teacher“. “guru“. or spiritual “leader".
Cltrue Dfalse

10) in the past ten years, the majority of people who explored
the U.S. communal movement were using it (the movement) as
a place to search for sexual adventures and/or a mate.

Dtrue Dfalse

ANSWERS lNote—these answers are based on the more than twenty

years of communal and intentional community living experience/Study
on the part of the members of Kerista Village.)

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Do these questions, and their answers, provoke your mind, stir up your imagination, kindle a latent or fading
spark of idealism within you? if so, and if you are at n tumlng point in your life, looking for a new, workable,
cooperative lifestyle and good fiiends, we may be on the same wavelength.

Kerista Village. upon whose experience the above test is based, is an ongoing, active, Utopian intentional
community based in San Francisco. We presently have three households [and are nearly ready for the fourth
to open up] and hold numerous activities as a way to get to imow new people, share our philosophy and
discoveries, and have a good time. [Rap groups, potlucks, art & theater workshops, sports activities, informal
classes, weekend seminars, and lots of “schmooze” time---just hanging out and enjo ng each other’s

company.] We‘d like nothing better than to meet one more kindred spirit to fly

delightful journey through life.

formation with on this

Write/phone for information about our community and our social schedule. KERISTA VILLAGE, P.0.Box
H74, San Francisco, CA 9410i. (415J566-6502/566-9386/56&5640.