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Title: Confederation of compatible social trees
Author: Kerista Commune
Publisher: Hamilton College Library
Place published: Clinton, New York, United States
Geography: San Francisco (Calif.)
Subjects: Alternative lifestyles--California, Communal living--California--San Francisco
Identifier: yhm-spe-ker-eph-037
Is part of: Kerista Commune Collection, Communal Societies Collection, Hamilton College Library Digital Collections

Title: Confederation of compatible social trees is composed of social change champions
Author: Kerista Commune
Publisher: Hamilton College Library
Place published: Clinton, New York, United States
Geography: San Francisco (Calif.)
Subjects: Alternative lifestyles--California, Communal living--California--San Francisco
Identifier: yhm-spe-ker-eph-049
Is part of: Kerista Commune Collection, Communal Societies Collection, Hamilton College Library Digital Collections

Title: Conversational salon for utopian idealists
Author: Kerista Commune
Publisher: Hamilton College Library
Place published: Clinton, New York, United States
Geography: San Francisco (Calif.)
Subjects: Alternative lifestyles--California, Communal living--California--San Francisco
Identifier: yhm-spe-ker-eph-048
Is part of: Kerista Commune Collection, Communal Societies Collection, Hamilton College Library Digital Collections

Title: Cosmic opera lesson 23: a brief outline of Keristan psychotheology
Author: Kerista Commune
Publisher: Hamilton College Library
Place published: Clinton, New York, United States
Text: Cosmic Opera Lesson 23 A Brief Outline of Keristan Psychotheology A Brief Outline of Keristan Psychotheology by Bro Jud The theology of Kerista Consciousness Church is a Confed- erational theology. Confederational theology is a form of faith or belief which stresses that the human race’s psycho- logical, economic and social behavior in each microculture have affected all of the social orders which exist on this planet. The new humanity is to be reconstructed out of this complex and diverse heritage. This requires a ”new birth” or a radical conversion in which we find an original, enlightened theo- logical point of view. First, there are the families of best friends who make up a liberated humankind. Second, liberation requires a far-reach- ing, radical conversion, wherein we leave behind our old nature and family and join the new multi-adult family. Third, the religious work is the renovation of philanthropy, which includes liberating multitudes from poverty, malnutrition and starva...
Show moreCosmic Opera Lesson 23 A Brief Outline of Keristan Psychotheology A Brief Outline of Keristan Psychotheology by Bro Jud The theology of Kerista Consciousness Church is a Confed- erational theology. Confederational theology is a form of faith or belief which stresses that the human race’s psycho- logical, economic and social behavior in each microculture have affected all of the social orders which exist on this planet. The new humanity is to be reconstructed out of this complex and diverse heritage. This requires a ”new birth” or a radical conversion in which we find an original, enlightened theo- logical point of view. First, there are the families of best friends who make up a liberated humankind. Second, liberation requires a far-reach- ing, radical conversion, wherein we leave behind our old nature and family and join the new multi-adult family. Third, the religious work is the renovation of philanthropy, which includes liberating multitudes from poverty, malnutrition and starvation. The themes of ”renovation of philanthropy," ”the new birth,” and "the new humanities” were developed in Confederational theology and became the basis for a radical conversionistic and world-reforming original theol- o . g'I)‘,hese are the ideas that Kerista Consciousness Church teaches. Its members seem truly dedicated to the betterment of society and the moral transformation of confused mind- souls. Mental illness in its many forms can be treated through Utopian Psychology, which is advocated by Kerista Con- sciousness Church. The premises and behavioral standards of Utopian Psychology are fundamentally optimistic. They are based on an interpretation of human history which holds that all evolution of life on Earth is moving steadily towards an attainable, Utopian paradise for all; Heaven on Earth. It is a way of asserting that religious theory affects every aspect of humans’ created life. One aspect of Kerista Consciousness Church doctrine is its theory of sin. Confederational theology claims to have wholly solved the problem of the nature and transmission of criminal sin (individual acts of vandalism, malevolence or cruelty, in which innocent people are victimized). It is ﬁrmly against the idea that criminal sin is transmitted generation by generation via demonology or through the sexual act. Con- federational theology prefers to assert that sin, like wrath in the name of righteousness, is attributed to maleducation, malnurturement, and unequal distribution of wealth. That is, it regards all humankind as one ”federation,” with all human beings juridically involved in ferreting out the causes of and finding ways to rid the Earth of criminal sin. This view was originally and is currently held by all Keristans. It fits systematically with the orthodox claim that Keristans are, therefore, "really righteous.” The logic goes as follows: The problems of humanity stem from archaic institutions which promote neurotic, selfish behavior and unequal dis- tribution of wealth. If this is true, then a crime-free, just, peaceful society can be created by dedicated adherents of Confederational theology who can break the cycle of neuro- sis transfer though creating models of new institutions better suited to human nature and the contemporary’ world. The basic framework of Confederational theology denies the forensic explanations of the transmission of sin and salva- tion. In this respect, Confederational theology believes in a genuine spiritual regeneration of truth-seekers, such that they break out of social fragmentation and become coopera- tively organized. What Keristans do, at this point, is pick up the doctrine of self-sabotage, affirming that sin also involves gluttony, or disordered love. For seekers of purity, however, the disorder in human love is not in sexuality per se, but in a certain self- centeredness that affects and disorders all human love, including the sexual. Unless love is family centered, it is disordered and neu- rotic. For this reason, which is clear to see, the key to salvation is creating family centered, Best-Friend Identity Clusters (B- FICs), including altruistic centered sexual love. It is impor- tant in Conferational theory that there be altruistic centered sexual love (and not merely salacious centered love for lust alone) because the primary purpose in human creation is to firmly establish a family which is centered on altruism in order to voluntarily redistribute the wealth and create Heaven on Earth. According to Confederational theology, Kerista Con- sciousness Church is correct in its theory that salvation means the renovation of philanthropy. The Church is correct in its teaching that social perfection is the goal of spiritual life and is correct in its theory of sin, that is, there's no demonic force, except in fiction and fallacious mythology. Confederational theology criticizes superﬁcial thinkers for failing to see that the redemption of mental health and peace of mind is not achieved through the renunciation of sexuality, but in creat- ing a rightly ordered sexual love and service to humanity. This criticism of shallow positions explains why Kerista Con- sciousness Church regards not sexual renunciation (chas- tity), but the love centered family as the fundamental unit of salvation. This love-centered, individual family unit, which is composed of 18 single, adult women and 18 single, adult men, extends to include all multi-adult families in the Con- federation for Universal Recreational Education (CURE). Kerista Consciousness Church seeks to be a planner and organizer for CURE and is the emanation point for religious tenets which Confederational theology discusses so much. The Church acts as a world-brain module. Now, consider the elements presented above and ask about Divinity’ s place inthis theology. How does cosmic synchron- icity relate to what has been described above as a means of salvation? If what is necessary for salvation is designing and forming a new human family made up of best friends, in which wholesome, righteous love is manifested through the nurturement of neurosis-free children (who are brought up in love-centered, idealistic families), then we would have to admit that we never could have established such a family context without the sexual revolution. Birth control, the women’s liberation movement, and the "Woodstock Na- tion” hip tidal wave (culturally speaking), have raised the ideals of sexual freedom and sexual equality to the heights of glory. Nonseparatist feminism is a fashion arrived. The early Kerista Consciousness Church expected that a new religion would come slowly to the attention of those who are, in each age, seeking fresh, exciting religious ideas. Casting about for those who were searching for new-wave metaphysical theories—those few individuals in the spin‘- tual vanguard—a few serious seekers came and embraced the teachings and prayers of the Church. The early pathfind- ers were joined by others who hitched their energies to the new religion and helped by becoming esoteric trailblazers. People with faith in the future are always searching for the frontiers of spirituality. The Kerista Theological Seminary has been based upon the belief that no orthodox Keristan theologian will claim to be a holy person before taking up the questions of how the wealth of the afﬂuent citizens of the planet can be voluntarily and nonviolently redistributed, so as to end poverty, and how the oppressed people of the world can be liberated from tyranny and injustice. In order to complete the messianic dream of organizing people for their own salvation, a plan must be designed which is theoretically sound and capable of being communicated to the entire human race. According to the doctrine of Confed- erational theology, people will line up (figuratively speak- ing) in single-file and cross over into Kerista Consciousness. The Confederational theology teaches that the future neo- tribal Utopian paranations of altruistic, sharing humankind will be propagated through formation of 36-person, love- centered families, unified by a proper and wholesome sexual life. These clusters are called K ’vutzas. The mark of a righteous sexual love is that it be conceived as a commitment to mutual growth, satisfaction and fulfill- ment; that it be a sexual love between persons who are faithful to one another and who seek to center themselves for a lifetime, raising children whom they will educate in truthful knowledge and love. Living a healthy, holistic life that is free of contradictions makes sexual intercourse uni- tive and the Keristan way of life esoteric. The members of each B-FIC nurture well-educated children in a stimulating environment with the psychological benefits of multi-adult nurturement. The children are raised with truth and good taste as a basis for the development of a wholesome moral philosophy. Each adult in the Confederation is a role model for each of the children. This view is shared by the members of the entire Confederation as traditional doctrine. Drawing its mandate from the ‘Woodstock Nation” legacy, the ideas of Kerista Consciousness blend a selection of the age-old esoteric teachings of all religions and philosophies with some new, original concepts. By associating closely and in a spiritual way with all of the hip persons who have lived a mellow life and are in constant, peaceful communication with the tradition of the Gypsies, the Beatniks, the Bohemi- ans, the Homo-Kibbutznicus types, the Futurists, and the Hippies, Confederational theology draws wisdom from a wide variety of sources. The tradition of hipness is carried forward for the benefit of all seekers of purity and truth. Such a theory is very close to certain kinds of esoteric mysticism identified with the writings of George Gurdjieff and Peter Ouspensky, plus many saints and inspired thinkers who claimed to have had personal communications in the direc- tion of their lives. It is a view which is also close to certain evangelical ways of talking about one’s life, giving directions to those who seek to know the explanation of this spiritual way through Kirtanu, or truthtelling. But this spiritual way is not an irrational concept, for what it means is that people should have heavenly union in this world. We are not to be swallowed up by internal discord, jealousy, envy, anger or other major enemies of mental health. Members of the Church shall strive to become economically self-sufficient according to the common-sense economic realities of the spiritual present. Church members serve as guides and per- sonal companions for all who are at a turning point in their lives. This means that for all purposes they are still them- selves teaching by example, and leading their lives in a practical, social way, while fostering kibbutz democracy. A person joyously lives in an intimate relation with her/ his multi-adult altruistic, philanthropy-centered family, which opens out from its nuclear center to a holistic loyalty to the world at large. To the extent that people in B-FICs do share resources, they ﬁnd themselves bound together into an ex- panded, spiritual compersion (this is a new word which means the exact opposite of jealousy), that is the backbone of the united, visible Church. The visible Church, in this theory, is not the sacramental preaching institution alone. It is all the people everywhere who lovingly, wholeheartedly and joy- ously center their lives on the ideals and theories of Kerista Consciousness through harmonic interconnectedness. There are other aspects to Confederational theology, for it is a complex system that covers the whole range of exegetical and philosophical questions, as any modern theology must do. But the above tenets are basic to its structure and make clear that Kerista Consciousness Church is an authentic religious group, although it is somewhat novel in its combi- nation of elements. It is a unification of all hip, spiritual traditions with certain added innovations. Although its strong emphasis on the multi-adult family comes from its psychological background, such a family emphasis is also found in basic, pragmatic, ecological common sense. The cultural self-sufficiency of the microculture guarantees that the integrity of the ideals will remain inviolate. . Kerista Consciousness Church is both orthodox and crea- tive in dealing with its scripture, mythology, and tradition. The word ”Kerista” means a blend of science, freedom, and spirituality. We should rejoice in its fervor and be glad to learn from its theology. Homo Kibbutznicus, U.S.A. The nuns and monks of the Kerista Theological Seminary are dedicated, as non-Jews, to the cessation of antisemitism on Earth. Kerista is an ecumenical religion. The Keristans are orthodox in their belief in the evolution of the culture of the West, which has its origins in the history, philosophy, wis- dom and culture of Judaism. The Jewish origins of Christian- ity, Islam, Mormonism, and other religions of the West are recorded in the annals of history. Jesus was a Jew. Moham- mad, at Medina, shaped the Islamic religion around Jewish forms. The persecution of the Jews, leading to the Holocaust, is a main subject of study of Keristan nuns and monks. Reli- gious freedom, sexual freedom, economic freedom and every other kind of responsible freedom is the individual's right in the Keristan Messianic Future Vision. Kerista, the black hippie goddess, is the Keristan Messiah. Assisted by Elijah and other deities, the Kerista Messianic Future Vision shall evolve to bring global prosperity and psychological well- being to everybody. For more information, write: KERISTA, 547 Frederick Street, San Francisco, CA 94117, U.S.A., or telephone: (415) 753-1314 or (415) 681-6598.
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Geography: San Francisco (Calif.)
Subjects: Alternative lifestyles--California, Communal living--California--San Francisco
Identifier: yhm-spe-ker-eph-059
Is part of: Kerista Commune Collection, Communal Societies Collection, Hamilton College Library Digital Collections

Title: Cosmic opera lesson 28-a: towards lasting prosperity by building a university of utopia plus the confederation of egalitarian households
Author: Kerista Commune
Publisher: Hamilton College Library
Place published: Clinton, New York, United States
Text: (Prepared for the International Foundation for the Survival and Development of Humanity) Towards Lasting Prosperity by Building a University of Utopia Plus the Confederation of Egalitarian Households The Abacus Community Prosperity Plan Explained to Students of Imturistics Who Are also Practical Idealists Conversation transcribed by Nancy Bovee Narrator: Our plan has to do with winning the hearts and minds of approximately 504 million people on this planet who will be educated in a Macintosh” accelerated learning environment in such a way as to create an intellectual force which will reach through to everyone on the planet. This goal is projected to occur by the middle of the next century when the world's population will most likely stabilize at 14 billion. If you want to invest a few minutes of your time. Iwill tell you what our plan is. I can do it in just a few minutes. Do you think I should do it? Does it stir your natural curiosity? Others: (emphatically) Yes! Narrator: I’...
Show more(Prepared for the International Foundation for the Survival and Development of Humanity) Towards Lasting Prosperity by Building a University of Utopia Plus the Confederation of Egalitarian Households The Abacus Community Prosperity Plan Explained to Students of Imturistics Who Are also Practical Idealists Conversation transcribed by Nancy Bovee Narrator: Our plan has to do with winning the hearts and minds of approximately 504 million people on this planet who will be educated in a Macintosh” accelerated learning environment in such a way as to create an intellectual force which will reach through to everyone on the planet. This goal is projected to occur by the middle of the next century when the world's population will most likely stabilize at 14 billion. If you want to invest a few minutes of your time. Iwill tell you what our plan is. I can do it in just a few minutes. Do you think I should do it? Does it stir your natural curiosity? Others: (emphatically) Yes! Narrator: I’m going to try to speak rapidly because I've been reading from authoritative. scientiﬁc sources that there's greater comprehension when people hear things spoken rapidly. I will try to cover the essential parts of the plan. the underlying. fundamental infrastructural elements of the 1 plan—the strategic aspects of the plan. Naturally, every single point that I make could then become its own documentary or Hypercard stack. This run-out describes the overview. Shari: The plan has many tactics connected to it. We're talk- ing about the strategy now. It's a long-range, intentional strategy that interacts with emergent strategi updated daily. Narrator: 1 think that it's very important for all of us to have a sense of the overview of the plan. This. then. is the answer to the questions: “Well, in a nutshell. what is your plan? Also. how much will it cost? How can it really be achieved?" It will take $115 billion per year in order for our plan to be effective. This is not $115 billion a year that will come from the taxpayers. Hopefully. with the right kind of support. the government. through the taxpayers. will also put in $115 billion a year. And. hopefully. private voluntarism. the phil- anthropic base that exists now. which is around $90 billion a year. will be at $1 15 billion a year by the time we get to where we can augment this thing. approximately 14 years from now. But it'll take our $115 billion a year—those of us sitting in this room here now. and more people like us-raising $1 15 billion a year to completely eliminate starvation from the world. to break down every single problem. of which there are about 14.000 that have been documented. All of these problems will be isolated and dealt with under a very simple principle. and that is. “problems are more easily solved when money is not one of them.” So we have to talk about how we are going to raise $115 billion a year. Where will it come from? What is the new source of innovative philanthropy? We are going to divide the people of the world into {our economic categories. and we're going to draw two horizontal lines so that these economic categories can be visualized. The two horizontal lines represent a concept of “above the line,” “between the lines." and “below the line.” We're going to presume that the world can create enough food to feed its population. The problem in the world is not the food. it's the distribution of the food: it's who has the money to pay for the food. Now. we have to get money to people who are below the line. So we've got A's and B’s above the line. C's between the lines. and D's below the line. In order for you to understand the A's. the B’s and the D's. we begin to reference oil the C’s. These are ordinary working people in the world. They’re not rich. and they’re not poor. They do not have any money to give away for philanthropy. but they also do not need any 2 money from philanthropy. They can pay their own way. raise their own children. and they can live. And this is a nice. large segment of the people of the world. Here are the four catego- x1es.or real economic tiers of the planet's total population: A's - More than enough to live. Source of existent philan- thropy for ongoing betterment of society projects. B's — More than enough to live. thanks to cooperative lifestyle. One third of income available for charity. Source of new. innovative philanthropic energy. C's — Can pay their own independent way. with no sur- plus. But. they do not need any outside help. Above the line. we have the A's. Those are the people that the existent philanthropy is coming from. The existent phi- lanthropy from the world now is doing a lot of good work. but it is not doing enough to solve the problems of the world. Therefore. we have to create another category of people called the BS. and that’s us. We are the people who are going to create as much philanthropic energy again as the A's. So in other words. up ‘til now. you’ve had all the philanthropy in the world coming from the As. no philanthropy coming from the CS and the D’s. who have less than enough. The A's have more than enough. and it's additional philanthropy going from those with more than enough to those with less than enough that is going to create the solution. The B's are a new type of worker-philanthropist; a new breed of human being. We have to ﬁnd a way to get more to the D’s because the D's have less coming in than going out. and they need philan- thropic help. So now we come along and we create an all- volunteer. democratically-run civilian branch of service, positioning off the kibbutz system of Israel. which is a cooperative living system. According to our spreadsheets. which we have for 1985, '86. '87. '88 and ’89. we can prove beyond a question of doubt that people who live coopera- tively, like we do. can live twice as nice for two-thirds the 3 price. And when we get to a point where 3.6 percent of the population are living in a new Macintosh networked coopera- tive living system—36 out of every 1.000 people in North America-we will have 10 million people. and that will be enough people to raise an additional $115 billion a year represented in the money that they save t_hrough the eco- nomic savings engendered by cooperative living. This is not money coming from the taxpayer. This is not money that puts any hardship on anybody. This is people that move into cooperative living voluntarily. because they're going to live twice as nice. When we have proven that people can live twice as nice for two-thirds the price. we then have a basis for creating a movement that can solve all the problems of the world without the use of force. without the use of vio- lence. It's comprehensive: nobody will be left out. That will be enough money to do it: a peaceful scientiﬁc revolution. So the question becomes. “How are we going to build such an organization?” And that has already been given to us through a concept that has been developed in accounting and in retailing. In retailing. the principle is called “franchis- ing.” In franchising. you have two very. very essential prin- ciples. which have been proven now beyond a question of doubt. so much so that just a few years ago. only 25 percent of all retail sales were through franchising, while today. one- third of all sales are through franchising. By the year 2000. it's expected that 50°/o of all retail sales will be through franchising. In other words. the private hardware store is going away and is being replaced by a franchised hardware store. The private muffler shop is going away. What are fran- chises? The development of a “prototype.” one McDonald's. one Colonel Sanders chicken shop. one Shell gas station. They're all the same. Just one of those! Then that prototype is replicated. How is that prototype replicated? The informa- tion for the replication of the prototype exists within the component parts of the prototype. Is everybody following me? We're replicating the prototype. In order for us to win 504 million adults to our way of life. all we need is to get 36 adults. just one building block. And then that's replicated 14 million times. And we have saved the civilization of the world. That is our plan. It has nothing to do with political science. It has nothing to do with intimidation. What's my time? Was it more than five minutes? Frank: Six thirty-three point two live. Narrator: I'm going to ask for seven minutes next time! Aren't all the elements in there, in the plan? All right. now let's talk about the two new people who are hearing it for the very first time. Did it go way over your heads, or did you get any of it? Is the basic idea clear and understandable‘? Jeannie: It was very clear. very clear. Yes. indeed! Narrator: Well. that is a plan that will work. And if you set out today. very diligently, and look through every publication you can find. and ask questions and call every university you can. you will find there is no plan like that anywhere else in the world. You just happened to have stumbled upon a unique one. We've been working on the plan for a very long time. and we've been getting a lot of help through our own reading and through our own diligent discourse of every question. Anytime we see a flaw in anything. somebody ﬂags it. and we keep going until we eliminate the ilaw. We've got a plan which is perfectly logical. and it doesn't depend on success for anything more than 36 adults. All we need is that one prototype. 'I‘hat’s the building block and everything else is really a replication...the second building block...the third building block. All the surplus energy in the ﬂrst building block helps create the second. Then when those two come to- gether. the surplus energy from those two help create the third. So it actually should snowball, it should go in quan- tum explosion. as it picks up and as it catches on. The area that we have to find strength in is how to communicate the idea, and get into Desktop Media. Hypercard and these other things...how to network 256 eifective new think tanks. Shari: And get into public relations. communications and marketing...with a direct response advertising campaign. Eve: We even think. mystically. that music. rock ‘n roll mu- sic particularly. is gonna play a big part in making the whole thing happen. A new global youth movement ruled by rock. Narrator: It's a revolution you can dance to. I'd like to take another minute and add parts of the plan that a lot of you do not know about. It's one of the latest developments of the plan. so you can see where it's going. Let's suppose that we create this first building block, and let's suppose we create an urban cooperative living movement: a transnational coop- erative living movement. Let’s say we start getting coopera- tive entrepreneurial communities down in Central America. and we concentrate on the refugees of Surinam, the home- 5 less people there, the refugees of Nicaragua and El Salvador, and so forth. And let's suppose this thing catches on and that our educational process prevails. Because. don't forget. we're going to have Unicare Learning Consoles. We’re talking about a whole new educational process, which is a whole subject in itself. We're talking about computer literacy and a fantastic way for a lot of people- to start becoming brighter by living in an accelerated learning environment. with the prototype model being so pure that we become the central orthodoxy of this movement in a new University of Utopia. Now. here's what we're telling the people. Our plan will work. in the fastest possible time. at quantum acceleration. if the world economic order does not break down. Because, if the world economic order breaks down. with the population explosion going the way it is. then it's absolutely a return to barbarism. That's a message we have to communicate. and I believe it can be done with sophisticated public relations. And if the principle is right. then I believe we'll learn how to say it. and I believe we'll be able to persuade folks on a one- to-one basis. We want to- start out with small collectives. work collectives. farmer collectives grocery collectives. We want to show people how they can also benefit by all the free administrative services that will be available through us, to help people live well and pay their bills. and we want them to have all the benefits of the technological life...indoor plumb- ing. appliances. electricity. So a very important part of it, then. is to win the hearts and minds of the people on such a level that we make clear to them: "You've got a stake in this. You're gonna lose it all if the world economic order breaks down. You've got to start chanting and you've got to start repeating. ‘Don't destroy the world economic order,’ and we can start Utopianizing the planet in the fastest possible time in a sequential manner. Give peace a chance! Really!” Let me give you one more minute now. so you'll see what we want to give the workers of the world. We're not going to be able to distribute the wealth and give the workers wealth, that's ridiculous. What we are going to be able to give the workers of the world is leisure. We'll be able to give the workers. through the intelligent. non-exploitation of labor and through the use of robotized factories, a three-day week- end. a four-day work week, a seven—hour work day, with all kinds of job perks, job enrichment. and a thirteen-week paid sabbatical a year for everybody, creating a giant new industry, educational recreation. Don't you see how we can 6 sell this? The day will come when we have Utopianized the planet. Our plan has that kind of thoroughness. that kind of detail. And in addition to that. we have the psychological revolution that goes with it. We understand what are the behavioral “yesses.” the “thou shalts,” and the ‘behaviorial nos." the “thou shalt nots.” We've got all that. It's built into “The 88 Basic Standards of Courtesy. Common Sense. Con- geniality. Reason. Goodwill and True Social Responsibility." Shari: Another whole issue related to the plan is the battle inside. Where that comes in is that there's no way to build a cooperative living movement without people being able to overcome their psychological problems and neurotic stuff inside. So that gets back to what you were saying. that you’ve got to do both at the same time. The slogan that we have hanging up on the wall of our Growth Co-op is “The personal solution and the global solution are one and the same.” So all we were trying to communicate is that you can't ignore the global part of it. but if you ignored the personal part of it. then the plan wouldn't work. either. That's another thing...you might think we're arrogant. but we just haven't found people anywhere who have a psychological process that can deal with the kind of neurosis that keeps people apart, keeps people in social fragmentation where there's no way they can do cooperative living with each other. They've just got walls around themselves. totally isolated. and they've got all this armor. A lot of people say. "Your confron- tational gestalt process is too harsh." But it really takes a certain kind of process to get through all that neurosis. We don't think it's too harsh. We think it's the only pragmatic thing that will really work: confrontational gestalt as a meth- odology for positive, genuine self-esteem enhancement. Martin: And we say that nobody else has a plan that's comparable or that uses the same kind of criteria. It’s not just all of our readings and all of our searchings. it's also 7 everybody that we meet. We ask, “Who do you know who has a plan: who do you know who has ideas and a scenario that addresses the world's problems and has the same goals and objectives as ours and sounds like it would work. is understandable. reasonable. and practical?” We've never gotten an answer. And we've been asking the question for as long as we've been working on our plan. Let's all search for other similar prosperity plans. Lee: It's such a great question, though. I remember back when it was asked of me. It was like the most frequently asked question early in the game. I heard it after I'd had about the same amount of exposure that you've had toward our scene. And it was really profound. Several years later I asked it of Mitch. and it was one of the things that had a very profound effect on him. It's also been asked of a hundred other people. where it's had no profound effect whatsoever. I think that the difference between the people on whom it has a profound effect. and the people on whom it does not. is a question of self—esteem. I just didn't want to ignore .the question. or put up a shield. I was just too smart for that. I knew that it was a very real question. and I would have a lower self-esteem if I just brushed it aside as if it had not been asked of me. And so my higher self-esteem lay in treat- ing it as a serious question. realizing that I was not the one with the answer and didn't know anyone else who did. And the same thing happened to Mitch. If you have the interest or the inclination or desire to develop your self—esteem. you might do well to take that blank sheet of paper. and do some research if you like. Call up some places, ask some people who you think might have the answer. Mitch spouted off a name at me. “Movement for a New Society.” and I said. “Well. call them." And he did. And just follow it through until you're satisfied. and can come back to us with a name and address. The question is not rhetorical...it would be so exciting if you could do the research for us. find some other people with a good plan...we really do mean it. So either that would hap- pen. or you would learn that you have now come into contact with what is. to the best of your knowledge. the only plan going. Then you have to deal with that piece of knowledge. which is a different story. Is our prosperity plan unique? Is it really the only simple community prosperity plan around? Narrator: And now that we've gone out this far. I'd like to take us out just a little further. There are certain topics of conversation. sometimes it has to do with personal growth. 8 sometimes it has to do with global profundity. that are best discussed in a state of relaxed concentration. perhaps in a hot bath in a rural spiritual retreat or educational resort. Cynthia: Oh! And what is it that you focus on conversation- ally? What do you generally concentrate your mind on? Lee: You focus on what is most relevant. And it might be part of the personal solution. or it might be part of the global solution. You focus on balance. significance and meaning. Cynthia: When you're most tuned in to the search for truth...most comfortable and most completely relaxed? Lee: And you're most intellectually receptive to new ideas. Eve: I think Lee's right...In another situation and time. I might say something to one of my friends that he might get defensive about. whereas if I bring it up in a relaxed opportu- nity he's most likely to listen and say. “Oh...OK. yeah." Narrator: In a recent conversation with Eve. I said: “I think the most significant thing that we will contribute to the world is that we are the very first people to be building a high-tech cooperative living association in the Western hemisphere.” And she said. “Well. I don't think that's the most important thing.” So I said. “Well. what do you think is the most important thing?” She said. “Macho-abatement." So what do you all think? Which is the single most important thing that we're bringing to better the civilized world in this new plan? Way: I think it's “two shall be as one.” Because I believe that macho-abatement without a cooperative living network is meaningless. I don’t believe that a triad in Oregon or a million triads all over the United States. or quadrads. or whatever. doing group living would mean anything more than swingers‘ groups or any other form of sexuality. And I don't really think that a system that’s made up of dry people who do not know how to open up emotionally to each other because they're not into gestalt will mean that much either. So I think that either one without the other won't be that significant. Together they spell successful mutual effort. Diana: I remember I was writing this letter once. and was talking about the context of our scene, and I wrote down a statement that cooperative high-tech living is the perfect context to be fostering macho-abatement in. Then I thought. well, macho-abatement is the perfect context to be building Utopia in! So I wrote that one down too. and I guess that both 9 work! And I think that's what we're talking about: Coopera- tive Entrepreneurial Communities linked up by comput- ers inside an accelerated New Age learning environment. Eve: And also. the reason I thought of macho-abatement. because the other thing is obviously significant. too. is be- cause so far. we don't think that people are going to be able to do the high-tech cooperative lifestyle without macho- abatement and nonseparatist feminism. If the network that does all of these things we're talking about can happen. where it's very diversiﬁed in terms of lifestyle preferences inside of it. that would be good. So far, it does really seem like we're going to make a connect to the kibbutz movement in Israel. for instance. where that energy is going to link up to this thing inside the slogan: “Cooperation as a Global Dy- namic.” University of Utopia extensions will be truly global. Shari: I agree with that! I think that. first of all. we've hardly scratched the surface. There are just a few people we've been putting any effort into communicating with at all. And I really think that for the amount of effort we're putting into the communication, we have been getting something back. That's not nothing. I think there is a chance that they have a lot of woman/man power available to do projects. and that Geoff thinks he could get something like that organized. They have had projects in other countries work out in the past. and he thinks that he could get something like that going. if there was something that it was connected to...a context. If we have land. if we get the economics together. do the administration. organize our contacts, and he has the energy to organize the people to come over. then I think that within just a few years, we could see buildings going up. we could see an ecohomestation going up, Camp Utopia going up in Jamaica. on a piece of property that we own. I think it could all start in a very short amount of time; it could move very fast. And it could involve a significant alliance with the Israeli klbbutznics. if they truly are genuinely interested. Way: I believe it will not be possible to get a computerized Communitarlan Network going without the administrative and initiatory leadership coming from the people who are doing prototype building. And that's different from saying that it's going to be entirely populated by creative people. All I'm saying is that I'm not taking the same position towards the kibbutzim of Israel that some kibbutznics are taking to- wards us. which is. “We don't need new ideas, we don't need 10 a new accounting system. we don't need a new communica- tions process. and we don't need a new family structure." And I'm not taking that position towards them. I personally believe that we can use them as much as they can use us. to our mutual benefit operating inside a co-prosperity sphere. Bill: And in every case. we're talking about establishing a pluralistic society in which we're gonna be creating the administrative things for everyone. Beneﬁts World is a utility for everybody; it's truly an ideal personal support system. Cynthia: Is macho-abatement a sine qua non of the commu- nal module? How are you going to deal with resistance to the idea when you're selling the whole model? What will be universal in the University of Utopia extension network? Way: We're creating a model. where inside of the 504 million —what we caH the frontline players. which are the people who will be making up the University of Utopia Network—— there will be room for a very wide divergence of familial f0I1I'lS of which spiritual. orthodox co-op living happens to be the choice of the founding group but will not be universal throughout the whole model of the new University of Utopia. Narrator: It's not essential; it's not required. It's a free choice. The University of Utopia is a multi-faceted context. Cynthia: In other words. a passionate sense of mission and communal living are options that people can choose freely for themselves if that is what they think they really want? Eve: The communal living part of it is significant and differ- ent than a sense of mission. because what it means is that people of that group will have the savings through the cooperative living that will generate money for philanthropy. The worker-philanthropist is a brand new breed of worker. Way: And just to amplify what you’re saying. so that it's not misunderstood. beside projecting 504 million people living communally and pooling their economies. there's gonna be at least 25 different categories of colleagueship that are very significant that have nothing to do with people living com- munally. The University of Utopia is a pluralistic learning complex with 9600 different educational activity centers. Narrator: Creativity is what's here at the center. at the planning nucleus. from which the drive is coming to create the New Age cooperation movement as a product of design. 11 Shari: The strategic plan has to do with where we are going to get our funding. right‘? A whole new source of funding. So there you're dealing with the 36 out of 1,000 adults in the overall population creating the generic model where certain elements of what we're doing are optional. And then you're dealing with. once you have the funding. who are you going to help? You’re going to be helping everybody. you're not just helping people who live communally. You're gonna introduce the global citizens to the Macintosh mystique. The Benefits World utility package serves everybody on the entire planet. Narrator: Using computer workstations. the 36 will serve the other 964. Each person will have a caseload of 28 people. By connecting them to the Abacus Electronic World Brain Module and bear in mind I haven't even mentioned the World Brain Module yet! A very important part of the plan is the creation of a World Brain Module connected to an elec- tronic, multimedia encyclopedia that has all the world's knowledge. So once we find out the cheapest and the best way to take a stream and create hydroelectricity from that stream. we will not have to reinvent that wheel for every stream in every little neighborhood, in every country. That information. like all known appropriate technologl, will be available. The best possible research will be available for every single person on the planet. Every person on the planet who wants to raise goats will have access to the best infor- mation on raising goats. Anyone who wants to raise chickens will know the cheapest way to produce an egg. In other words. all the knowledge will be connected to one world brain that will be available to every human being in every village. Microcomputers are going to create Heaven on Earth for everybody. Analysis shall become a new management tool. Way: There's one other thing that we haven't covered in terms of the question of what our plan is. because we're using big numbers of people. like 504 million people. and then we're bringing it down a little and talking about 10 million people. but the real number that represents what we call the “full-scale prototype" is only 10,080 people. We think once we've gotten that far. everything else will be easier to do. The hardest work is actually getting to that number as a model. showing the economics and showing the quality of life. 10.080 adults make up one electronic global village. . Cynthia: That's your target population to draw on for the model? Isn't that one-thousandth of 10,080,000 people? Narrator: And we'll have enough economic strength at the 10,080 level to produce world—class motion pictures and to have a tremendous publishing capability. State-of—the-art desktop media will prevail as will artificial intelligence. Eve: Plus a tremendous advertising campaign that goes in all kinds of new directions aimed at micro-target audiences. Narrator: We're talking about a $1.3 billion a year advertis- ing campaign. mostly in clever direct-response advertising. Cynthia: That's fantastic. because now I have some real questions. but I can't stay much longer. I thank you for bearing with me and getting through my neurotic blocks to hearing some about the Abacus Community Prosperity Plan. Narrator: It's not that easy. to overcome being neurotic. I think it's better to say that we're all constantly working on ourselves and that any time any of us notices something in somebody else that appears to be neurotic. we ﬂag it. And if it is neurotic. we'll work on it. get it out in the open. And if you discover ﬂaws in me. crudities in me. areas in which I could become more reﬁned. and if you point them out to me. you're doing me a big favor. Confrontational gestalt really works! Bill: And the other thing is that we're here. and we're all telling you that we're dedicated to getting those things out of our own personalities. Our being open to discussing things further with you comes from you saying that you like the process of making statements and examining whether or not they are rational statements. and ﬁnding out other people's opinions about whether what you're doing or saying is neu- rotic. If you're open to that. then you're saying you want to be a part of this kind of self-esteem enhancement process. Cynthia: Yeah. I say that. I want to really work on myself. Reed: 'l'hat’s the part of the process we were talking about before. the psychological process behind the plan as well as the strategic parts of it. I was just thinking before about there being two different ways of looking at the view that people are going to work on themselves and going to make the world a better place. I find it just the other way. though: I find the motivation to work on myself is to have my higher ideal that I can recognize is really worth working on. and that's what makes me want to get rid of my own neuroses. The main basic principle is: think globally; and act locally. Cynthia: I agree with you on that. Definitely! That by having 13 a higher purpose. and being committed to it. is the way to do the other. And not if you just do the other. thinking about yourself. sitting in your hot tub and getting real mellow. That's not going to do it all alone just by itself. Narrator: Well. that helps! Being able to sit around in a hot tub with select friends you can feel relaxed with and socialize with. where you're building camaraderie by so- cializing with purpose. That's just very important. You hold your nose. and you go down under. and you repeat the New Age mantra. “Creative thinking in hot water.” Frank: With your mouth closed while you hold your nose! ' WE'RE PREPARING THEM TO SHIN" UP TO THE NEXT GROWTH STAGE, FROM THEIR SEED NUCLEUS GROUP TO A FULL-SCALE HEAVEN-ON-EARTH PROTOTYPE MODEL. AT THAT STAGE, THEIR ENERGY LEVEL WILL BE STUPENDOUS, ARTISTICALLY, «iv ' ‘ MAKES V PERFECT SENSE ‘ Cartoons from Far Out West Comics by Even Eve. P WHAT WE'RE DOING IS A PSYCHIC I INVASION, A POSITIVE INTRUSION INTO MASS HEADSPACE OF A FUTURE VISION THAT'S SO FAR OUT FANTASTIC, PEOPLE ARE GONNA FLIP WHEN THEY FIND OUT IT'S FEASIBLEI For more ln_Ifor-mation about theAbacus Cormnuntty Prosperity Plan and anything else touched upon in this booklet. write or phone: Abacus Community Prosperity Plan World Academy of Kerislan Education P. 0. Box 410068 San Francisco, CA 94141-0068 For more iniovmalion telephone Jud at (415) 5583330
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Geography: San Francisco (Calif.)
Subjects: Alternative lifestyles--California, Communal living--California--San Francisco
Identifier: yhm-spe-ker-eph-060
Is part of: Kerista Commune Collection, Communal Societies Collection, Hamilton College Library Digital Collections

Title: Cosmic opera lesson 34: camp utopia, a new type of low-cost travel experience
Author: Kerista Commune
Publisher: Hamilton College Library
Place published: Clinton, New York, United States
Text: tual signiﬁcance that make for a fasci- nating leaming gestalt. The reason it at- tracted Keristan interest in the first place is that it is the home of the Eastern Ma- roons. The Maroons are a subculture in Jamaica, descended from black Africans who originally came to the island during its occupation by the Spanish in the 16th and 17th centuries. They came as work- ers for the Spaniards, and when the Eng- lish took over the island and wanted to make them slaves, they formed an army of rebellion under the leadership of a man named Kojo and a remarkable woman named Nanny. They fought a lengthy anti-colonial guexilla war (be- fore the American Revolution), and ac- tually defeated the British, who signed a treaty with them, leaving them as an in- dependent people. Nanny is remem- bered as a national heroine, and her home territory was in Portland Parish. The Keristans feel a strong affinity wilh ‘ the spirit of Nanny, making Portland Parish a perfect geographic location to target for t...
Show moretual signiﬁcance that make for a fasci- nating leaming gestalt. The reason it at- tracted Keristan interest in the first place is that it is the home of the Eastern Ma- roons. The Maroons are a subculture in Jamaica, descended from black Africans who originally came to the island during its occupation by the Spanish in the 16th and 17th centuries. They came as work- ers for the Spaniards, and when the Eng- lish took over the island and wanted to make them slaves, they formed an army of rebellion under the leadership of a man named Kojo and a remarkable woman named Nanny. They fought a lengthy anti-colonial guexilla war (be- fore the American Revolution), and ac- tually defeated the British, who signed a treaty with them, leaving them as an in- dependent people. Nanny is remem- bered as a national heroine, and her home territory was in Portland Parish. The Keristans feel a strong affinity wilh ‘ the spirit of Nanny, making Portland Parish a perfect geographic location to target for the first wave of their ”laser beam philanthropic energy.” ADVENTURE/TRAVEL LEARNING NETWORK Beyond Camp Utopia, plans prog- ress on to a much more complex adven- ture/travel/leaming network which ' will include more developed resort fa- cilities, still operated along the same principles of non-exploitation and grassroots cultural authenticity. But the two are not mutually exclusive; the more developed program will not re- place Camp Utopia itself. The desire to vacation in idyllic, simple, natural sur- roundings will always have its enthusi- asts, and Camp Utopias all around the world will exist to satisfy that desire. *** FOR MORE INFORMATION about this project, write: Camp Uto- pia Project, 547 Frederick St., San Francisco, CA 94117, or phone (415) 759-9508 or 759-8102. THE COSMIC OPERA LESSON 34 CAMP UTOPIA A New Type of Low-Cost Travel Experience CAMP UTOPIA TRAVELING LIGHT Almost everyone likes to travel, but not everyone can afford to do so. In the ‘sixties, the legacy of the beatniks and the hippies opened a lot of people up to a new type of travel, off the beaten path. What this meant was, you didn’t have to sleep in a hotel when you had a sleeping bag and a dry spot to lay it down; you didn’t have to see the sights from the seat of a chartered tour bus and you didn't have to eat your meals in famous or expensive restaurants. It actually be- came preferable to many people to camp out, meet the local foils, and see a new country from a more ”authentic”, grass- roots-level perspective. It appealed to their natureloving sides and their social consciences, as well as to their pocket- bools. NON-EXPLOITATION Things have changed some in the past twenty years. The world is a little harder, a little less naive, and the chasm between First and Third Worlders more pronounced in people's minds. For all that an American student hitchhiking around may feel that she/he is somehow closer to ”the people” than her/his well-established parents stay- ing at the Hilton Hotel, the difference be- tween them, from the point of view of the local inhabitants, is not too signifi- cant. The middle class parents and ad- venturing kid are all coming from a position of freedom and affluence rela- tive to the person living on an annual income of $500 and raising seven kids, which is not at all unusual in many parts of the world. One of the selling point for the off- thebeaten-path travel mode for some who choose it is the opportunity to spread some of the money they’ re will- ing to spend directly to the village people, rather than having it flow to the wealthy owners of hotels and tourist facilities. Up until now, this type of thing has occurred without any sort of organi- zation or structure. Sometimes it works out well; other times, people can run into difficulties including rip offs and decep- tion. The members of the Kerista kibbutz of San Francisco are currently in the planning stages of a new kind of travel system that combines the better features of the “hip” and "straight” vacation models: a way to move around infor- mally, at a low cost, with plenty of op portunities for real personal interaction with native people at the friendship level, with enough planning and selec- tivity criteria built in to ensure a safe, scam—free trip. PORTLAND PARISH, JAMAICA This ideal-sounding concept is en- titled, appropriately, Camp Utopia. The idea came about through a correspon- dence that developed between the San Francisco Keristans and some people living in Portland Parish, Iamaica. The Keristans are practitioners of communal living, and advocate the belief that the surplus wealth of the advanced, indus- trialized nations of the world can be con- verted into a force to improve life on Earth through voluntary philanthropic means. One of their ideas of how this can happen is by helping impoverished folks-—such as the indigenous people-in subjects of personal interest and rele- vance. This would make for a fuller travel experience, and would also open up more vocational opportunities to the local people who would be working with the project originators. As a target area in which to start the first Camp Utopia, Portland Parish is rich in the kind of lore, legend and spiri-
Show less
Geography: San Francisco (Calif.)
Subjects: Alternative lifestyles--California, Communal living--California--San Francisco
Identifier: yhm-spe-ker-eph-061
Is part of: Kerista Commune Collection, Communal Societies Collection, Hamilton College Library Digital Collections

Title: Cosmic opera lesson listing
Author: Kerista Commune
Publisher: Hamilton College Library
Place published: Clinton, New York, United States
Geography: San Francisco (Calif.)
Subjects: Alternative lifestyles--California, Communal living--California--San Francisco
Identifier: yhm-spe-ker-eph-052
Is part of: Kerista Commune Collection, Communal Societies Collection, Hamilton College Library Digital Collections

Title: Cosmic opera lesson listing
Author: Kerista Commune
Publisher: Hamilton College Library
Place published: Clinton, New York, United States
Geography: San Francisco (Calif.)
Subjects: Alternative lifestyles--California, Communal living--California--San Francisco
Identifier: yhm-spe-ker-eph-051
Is part of: Kerista Commune Collection, Communal Societies Collection, Hamilton College Library Digital Collections

Title: Cosmic opera- Lesson 9306: communitarian cooperation today
Author: Kerista Commune
Publisher: Hamilton College Library
Place published: Clinton, New York, United States
Geography: San Francisco (Calif.)
Subjects: Alternative lifestyles--California, Communal living--California--San Francisco
Identifier: yhm-spe-ker-eph-065
Is part of: Kerista Commune Collection, Communal Societies Collection, Hamilton College Library Digital Collections

Title: Cosmic opera- lesson 68: self-esteem enhancement: the next step to your personal development
Author: Kerista Commune
Publisher: Hamilton College Library
Text: The Cosmic Opera-Lesson 68 ' SELF-ESTEEM ENHANCEMENT: THE NEXT STEP TO YOUR PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT . Lr. , 1;.” ,«. ._._,I_;.__..A~~'....rrL’.;;._,.@. ;._~;a GESTALT-O-RAMATM IS A NEW METHODOLOGY FOR SELF- IMPROVEMENT SO YOU CAN SEE FOR YOURSELF THAT THE GESTALT PROCESS IS BETTER THAN OTHER SELF~ESTEEM ENHANCEMENT SYSTEMS. CONFRONTATIONAL SENSITIVITY 9 TRAINING: I v r THAT'S WHAT TRUE GESTALT IS! The process of the Self~Esteem Enhancement Movement is Gestalt-O-Ramum GENERATE ANEW ATTITUDE! ARE YOU READY FOR THE NEXT STEP IN YOUR PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT? THE SELF-ESTEEM ENHANCEMENT MOVEMENT IS COMPREHENSIVE AND RELEVANT, WITH CONCENTRATION . ON AFFINITY CROSSMATCHING AFFINITY CROSSMATCHING IS BASED ON THE THEORY OF SYMBIOTIC FLAIR DYNAMIC APPLICATION OF THE SYSTEM j THE ABACUS METHOD IS AWELL-DESIGNED, j OF HOLISTIC SYMBIOTIC FLAIR AFFINITY Those persons with holistic affinity and complement equal- ity are crossmatched into rap groups, and art worlshops. Ea ctivity center r...
Show moreThe Cosmic Opera-Lesson 68 ' SELF-ESTEEM ENHANCEMENT: THE NEXT STEP TO YOUR PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT . Lr. , 1;.” ,«. ._._,I_;.__..A~~'....rrL’.;;._,.@. ;._~;a GESTALT-O-RAMATM IS A NEW METHODOLOGY FOR SELF- IMPROVEMENT SO YOU CAN SEE FOR YOURSELF THAT THE GESTALT PROCESS IS BETTER THAN OTHER SELF~ESTEEM ENHANCEMENT SYSTEMS. CONFRONTATIONAL SENSITIVITY 9 TRAINING: I v r THAT'S WHAT TRUE GESTALT IS! The process of the Self~Esteem Enhancement Movement is Gestalt-O-Ramum GENERATE ANEW ATTITUDE! ARE YOU READY FOR THE NEXT STEP IN YOUR PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT? THE SELF-ESTEEM ENHANCEMENT MOVEMENT IS COMPREHENSIVE AND RELEVANT, WITH CONCENTRATION . ON AFFINITY CROSSMATCHING AFFINITY CROSSMATCHING IS BASED ON THE THEORY OF SYMBIOTIC FLAIR DYNAMIC APPLICATION OF THE SYSTEM j THE ABACUS METHOD IS AWELL-DESIGNED, j OF HOLISTIC SYMBIOTIC FLAIR AFFINITY Those persons with holistic affinity and complement equal- ity are crossmatched into rap groups, and art worlshops. Ea ctivity center revolves around a project ' inator. One person and one person only originates a project. She/ he ' joined by a second person. Then the two are joined by a third, the three are joined by a fourth, etc., etc. This is called ”The Abacus Method.” This methodology is the backbone of The Self-Esteem Enhancement Movement. 3 WHSD©M FROM ALL OF THE CULTURES OF ' THE WORLD IS BEING GATHERED INA ILIIVHNG SCIHICQXQTL BEING FORMED BY A CONSORTIUM OF UTOPIAN IDEALISTS AROUND ESSENTIAL IDEAS. MAXIM: MORAL PHILOSOPHY IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN WHAT IS AND WHAT OUGHT TO BE. YOU'LL BE SOCIALIZING WITH FRIENDS IN THE EMERGING LIVING SCHOOL NETWORK. THIS IS A NEW FORM OF ADULT EDUCATION DESIGNED TO MAKE LEARNING DELIGHTFUL THROUGH THE USE OF CONFRONTATIONAL SENSITIVITY TRAINING SEMINARS, RAP GROUPS, CONFERENCES, WORKSHOPS &: LABORATORIES FOR HOLISTIC, ONGOING SELF-IMPROVEMENT. IYOU ARE A STAR! I OOO0000000OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOIOIOOO0000000 Each woman and each man is a STAR! Each human being has a tremendous potential for creativity once contact is made with the natural, latent gifts and talents in each of us. These gifts and talents emerge inacreative and supportive atmosphere. Once you get started the rest comes naturally. The human potential movement and the sensitivity training movement are used as reference points for The Gestalt-O-Rama” Personal Improvement System. There are hundreds of self-improve- ment techniques used throughout the entire LIVING SCHOOL sen- sitivity training process. These techniques include extensive use of audio and video cassette tapes. There is lots of face-to-face confronta- tion in encounter groups, rap groups and sensitivity training work- shops, conferences and theatrics, You'll be seeking truth through the elimination of contradictions. You'll be making friends through har- monic interconnectedness and socio/cultural activities. 4 Q. HOW DO WE INTRODUCE POSITIVE SOCIAL CHANGE INTO PATTERNS OF EVERYDAY ORDINARY LIFE? A. THROUGH CREATING NETWORKS OF CLUB UTOPIA GROWTH CO-OP SALONS. A viable methodology for Utopianizing the planet still needs to be effectively communicated to others before it will catch on. The big idea breaks down into these essential facets: 0 Self-Help Publications Introducing Interactive Ioumalism 0 Proactive Networking Encouragement 0 Gestalt-O-RamaTM Participation Theater (Twice-A-Week Rap Group) with Confrontation of Contradictions The Owenism STAR Alliance for Self-Determination Cinema Verite' (A Method of Producing Real-Life Videocassettes) Interactive Participation Games for Self-Esteem Enhancement "The Jamaica Project” for Utopian Adventurers and Travelers The ”Theatrical Gestalt Kibbutz Context" Game Idealists for the Design of Heavenization of Planet Earth The ”Cosmic Opera” Game for Intellectual Game Players The Abacus Research Institute for Character Development The Abacus Method for Building Networks and Game Clubs The ”Affinity Crossmatching” Game for Making New Friends Simulations as a Way to Create a Civilian Branch of Service Self-Improvement Techniques for Positive Growth and Change Hospitality Exchange Network for Gestalt-O-Rama” Practitioners Interested in Global Commune Cooperation 0 Peer Self-Help Group Therapy as a Self-Improvement Technique (Using the 88 Basic Standards of the Club Utopia Growth Co-op) 0 Operation Transformation for Seekers of Higher Consciousness Utopian Group Living for those who Aspire to Try It On For Size Through Simulation Exercises Kerista Solomon's House Network to Explore Lifestyle Options Storefront Classrooms as Educational Clubhouse Systems Living School Extensions Across the Nation The Museum of Utopian Art & Electronic Classroom Networks Seminars for Self-Esteem Enhancement 0 OOOOIOOOOOOOO 00000 5 LISTENING TO ONE ANOTHER’S BEST IDEAS CAN INTRODLICE POSITIVE SOCIAL CHANGE ON THIS SMALL PLANET A new kind of "Performing Arts Social Society" has been designed to reverse the trend of human beings moving towards maximum divisiveness. Folks learn how to listen to each other’s ideas and become more sensitive and sympathetic to each other. All discussions are centered on rationality and common sense. More and more folks each year are living in single-adult households. Loneliness and social fragmentation are reaching epidemic proportions. Half the children in the nation are being forced to experience "broken-home syndrome" due to the break- down of the isolated nuclear family as the pillar of society. Utopian group living in multi-adult households is more ecological and deserves to be explored in art, theater and science/ fantasy. A new type of scientifically-formed household is essential if Western civilization is to prevail. Kibbutz-type communal habitats are the wave of the future and are discussed in the Utopian literature and at the weekly rap groups. There is no attempt to convert anyone to group living. All lifestyle options are freely discussed and ex- amined. Value analysis is an important part of the process. There is no charge for participation in any of the activity centers; there are no fees or costs. THE MEMBERS OFITHE GESTALT-O-RAMATM PARTICIPATION THEATER ARE CONSTANTLY WORKING ON THEIR SENSITIVITY DEVELOPMENT. HERE'S THEIR SLOGAN: ”ALL FOR ONE AND ONE FOR ALL!” 0 0 3 CD3 % WHAT IS THE PURPOSE OF THE CLUB UTOPIA GROWTH CO-OP ? It is a wholesome way to make new friends. The Club Utopia Growth Co-op contains the infrastructural elements for bringing likeminded folks into affinity crossmatching systems. Each network begins with an originator. The second person to join the network reads the description of the network and makes recommendations for add-ons or changes. If there is a merger of energies then the two network members seek a third and so on. The network grows one person at a time. Once a network has been originated, the entire membership is informed of its existence so that all persons can read the descriptive literature and participate if they so desire. The larger purpose is to foster a non—commercial methodology for self-esteem enhancement and social skills development. PARTICIPANTS OF THE GROWTH CO-OP MEET TWICE A WEEK Individuals who choose to get involved in The New Gestalt-O-Rama” Self-Development Process begin utilizing different techniques for sensitivity training. The 88 Standards of the Growth Co-op insure all participants that the atmosphere will encourage creativity. It's not necessary to live in the commu- nal habitat in order to get involved. Meeting new friends is a thrilling experience. Also, you can study the literature in your own home before active participation. A free course is available. THE CLUB UTOPIA GROWTH CO-OP sALONs ARE FOSTERING DYNAMIC POSITIVE SOCIAL CHANGE BY TURNING FOLKS ON TO THE SELF-ESTEEM ENHANCEMENT MOVEMENT AND TO GAMING AS AVIABLE SELF-BETTERMENT TECHNIQUE THE TRUE PSYCHOLOGICAL REVOLUTION REVOLVES AROUND HOLISTIC MENTAL HEALTH MAINTENANCE! There are two parts mvolved 1n the context called, Mental Health Maintenance": 1. Personal Happiness Extension (The Way). Once attained it is ”The Ioumey of Life;” a pleasant journey filled with delightful activities and joyous human relationships, including a rich home life. 2. Social Responsibility (The End). The objective and purpose of life's journey; the destination; the target; the long—range aim of a good life lived to the hilt. Acts of loving kindness increase with constancy. When these two parts are successfully blended the result is Mental Health Maintenance. The individual, the small groups that one belongs to, one‘s community, one’s state, one‘s nation, and the world are all winners. Unborn children, future generations and the environment are also winners. A mentally healthy person is totally free of jealousy, hostility and negative intrigue generation. P ME It is a methodology to imagine the future. Participants imagine themselves to be part of a psychological revolution. It is based on (1) nonseparatist feminism, (2) mental health maintenance, (3) sexual attitude restructuring and (4) working on one’s self—esteem enhance- ment. Through the Gestalt-O—Rama"" process an individual can visi- bly improve her/ his life and work for the betterment of society. THE "ESCAPE TO THE FUTURE" GAME USES THEATRICS, GAMING AND FUTURISTIC SIMULATION EXERCISES .'.__ HOW CAN ORDINARY FOLKS USE RATIONAL PHILOSOPHY TO ACHIEVE LASTING, POSITIVE GROWTH? In The Club Utopia Growth Co-op folks listen to each others ideas. They create brainstorming clusters for theatricalizing each others best visions. The general atmos- phere encourages creativity. Networks and workshops form around network originators. The players in San Francisco produce three periodical publications and a weekly half-hour television program. Good ideas are incorporated into an action plan. THE FOUR BASIC PREMISES OF THE PROGRAM ARE: 1.Theatrica1 Interpretation of Everyday Reality is Fun! 2. Simulations Stimulate Personal Growth! 3. Gaming Helps Folks Learn While Raising Their Self-Esteem! 4. Self-Esteem Enhancement is the Baseline for Everybody on the Planet! 9 I rm: CLUB urorm cmowrn cool’ I Dear Prospective Member, Thanks for showing an interest in learning more about us. We hope that this booklet has given you a good basic sense of what the Club Utopia Growth Co-op is all about. The next step is coming in and checking out the scene for yourself by experiencing the vibes in person. The real question is what do you find glamorous. It’ s a personal choice. You have to choose your own glam- our system and then live it out with all your heart, soul and mind. The key to self—esteem is first to decide upon a set of values and ideals that you can throw yourself into, and then live them without contradictions or wavering. Then you have something to network around. There is no cost for participants. The entire program is free. The price of admission is participation. If one of the elements of your glamour system is following 88 basic, common sense standards for behavior and communications, then check out the Club Utopia Growth Co-op. This could be the next step in your acquisition of personal happiness. The 88 standards are responsible for the success of the program. They could be the next step in your own success story. Cheers, Rap & Jud WHAT IS YOUR OWN PERSONAL IMPROVEMENT METHODOLOGY 8f GLAMOUR SYSTEM? CREATE A NETWORK OF MUTUAL-SUPPORT FANS AROUND YOUR SET OF VALUES AND IDEALS AT THE CLUB UTOPIA GROWTH CO-OP ALLOW YOURSELF TO STRIVE TO REACH YOUR FULL POTENTIAL IN AN ACCELEKA TED LEARNING EN]/IROM‘E1‘IT The Club Utopia Growth Co-op is an accelerated learning environment. By hooking up, you will be opened up to a whole shopping mall of ideas. Members are encouraged to exchange knowledge and to break out into developing latent and new interests, and to network with other members who share these interests. People learn faster in a sympathetic, intellectual ”do-it- with-friends” environment with electronic classrooms and 9600 gaming opportunities. Your own original ideas are very welcome. 1] CHECK IT OUT TODAY! rr’s ALL FREE OF CHARGE THE HOLISTIC LIFESTYLE EXPLORATION CIRCLE INVITES YOU TO ASK ABOUT THE FREE COURSE OR THE FREE NIGHTLY RAP GROUPS IN SAN FRANCISCO AND SAN DIEGO (INQUIRE ABOUT OTHER CITIES ALSO COMING ON STREAM) INQUIRIES FROM PROSPECTIVE PARTICIPANTS ARE WELCOME! THE AFFINITY CROSSMATCHING SYSTEM OF THE ABACUS METHOD AND THE CLUB UTOPIA GROWTH CO-OP ARE OPERATING ON AN ONGOING BASIS FOR PROSPECTIVE MEMBERS OF THE SELF-ESTEEM ENHANCEMENT MOVEMENT YOU [MAYBE READYFOR THE »NEXT STEP IN YOUR’ PERSONAL SELF-IMPROVEMENT CAMPAIGN.’ FOR MORE DETAILED INFORMATION WRITE: The Self-Esteem -A Enhancement Movement, . 547 Frederick Street, San Francisco, CA 94117 §VviIaavm5.wwnw.am.zuvva.-a.y.-0.-.-.-J.-.59: AA 2.2.-A\:av.' u-.ux------unaae--=x--x--nmx-w ' ' vwzmugx, Telepho » ’ , Telepone in San Francisco in San Diego ; ' (415) 681-6598 (619) 581-1310 12 V ,....“_—7(.-,—-,,«vv,~5w‘,—,y.7.;=_gg~—t—-—,, , _ :rwnv', > ,.F"§r'H7r*“1-« v‘~!'??‘V¥"‘P*., ,_ 1\gn3x‘w ,,_ > . ,, _ ~ \, , -. »,
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Geography: San Francisco (Calif.)
Subjects: Communal living--California--San Francisco, Alternative lifestyles--California
Identifier: yhm-spe-ker-eph-064
Is part of: Kerista Commune Collection, Communal Societies Collection, Hamilton College Library Digital Collections

Title: Cut away view… University of Utopia/ storefront classroom/ growth co-op
Author: Kerista Commune
Publisher: Hamilton College Library
Place published: Clinton, New York, United States
Geography: San Francisco (Calif.)
Subjects: Alternative lifestyles--California, Communal living--California--San Francisco
Identifier: yhm-spe-ker-eph-126
Is part of: Kerista Commune Collection, Communal Societies Collection, Hamilton College Library Digital Collections

Title: Declaration of challenging innovations
Author: Kerista Commune
Publisher: Hamilton College Library
Place published: Clinton, New York, United States
Text: ‘En: Eetlaratinn of ﬂlballengiug llmtnhatinns Creative Public Access TV Producers & Crew Volunteers from: Bro Jud Presmont, Public Access Producer Subject: Is the “Next Step” here now? Is there a Window of Opportunity waiting and ready to be conquered? fact: I’m organizing a Techno-Utopian Think Tank! We meet once a month for three hours. We discuss Qﬂ ideas. ¢I)aIle1Ige: We’re designing and launching a Business Plan to fund The StoreFront Classroom Project. This program shall help artists with technical training and support. The program shall exist to augment artists in projects of their own choosing, especially in digital editing and documentary production. Quinn: I’d like to meet other creative, MultiMedia artists who enjoy the pleasure of innovative collaboration. ' If you’re interested, please contact me at (415) 558-9330
Geography: San Francisco (Calif.)
Subjects: Alternative lifestyles--California, Communal living--California--San Francisco
Identifier: yhm-spe-ker-eph-047
Is part of: Kerista Commune Collection, Communal Societies Collection, Hamilton College Library Digital Collections

Title: Educational recreation
Author: Kerista Commune
Publisher: Hamilton College Library
Place published: Clinton, New York, United States
Geography: San Francisco (Calif.)
Subjects: Alternative lifestyles--California, Communal living--California--San Francisco
Identifier: yhm-spe-ker-eph-127
Is part of: Kerista Commune Collection, Communal Societies Collection, Hamilton College Library Digital Collections

Title: Feminist oriented community
Author: Kerista Commune
Publisher: Hamilton College Library
Place published: Clinton, New York, United States
Text: in freeing ourselves and using our surplus energy and money to provide help, hope and practical solutions for other people who are struggling to make it. One program which Kerista Village operates is called Mariah Femi- nist Collective (MFC). MFC is studying op- pressive customs, laws, attitudes, and circum- stances which are still operant in the world today. MFC publishes learning programs about the condition of women the world over and about the history of the women’s move- ment. Mariah Feminist Collective is not pas- sive. It is a force for nonviolent activism and positive social change. IF YOU ARE AT A TURNING POINT IN YOUR LIFE, AND IF YOU ARE LOOKING FOR AN ALTERNATIVE WHERE ANGER AND FRUS- TRATION ARE REPLACED BY FULFILLING PERSONAL SOLUTIONS AND INVOLVEMENT IN PLANNED SOCIAL CHANGE, CONTACT ME, BLUEJAY WAY, OF MARIAH FEMINIST COLLECTIVE AT 543 Frederick St., San Fran- cisco CA 94117 or call (415) 566-6502 to learn more about us. ’ ' THE FEMINIST ORIENTED COMMUNITY I fir...
Show morein freeing ourselves and using our surplus energy and money to provide help, hope and practical solutions for other people who are struggling to make it. One program which Kerista Village operates is called Mariah Femi- nist Collective (MFC). MFC is studying op- pressive customs, laws, attitudes, and circum- stances which are still operant in the world today. MFC publishes learning programs about the condition of women the world over and about the history of the women’s move- ment. Mariah Feminist Collective is not pas- sive. It is a force for nonviolent activism and positive social change. IF YOU ARE AT A TURNING POINT IN YOUR LIFE, AND IF YOU ARE LOOKING FOR AN ALTERNATIVE WHERE ANGER AND FRUS- TRATION ARE REPLACED BY FULFILLING PERSONAL SOLUTIONS AND INVOLVEMENT IN PLANNED SOCIAL CHANGE, CONTACT ME, BLUEJAY WAY, OF MARIAH FEMINIST COLLECTIVE AT 543 Frederick St., San Fran- cisco CA 94117 or call (415) 566-6502 to learn more about us. ’ ' THE FEMINIST ORIENTED COMMUNITY I first became involved with women’s Lib- eration in the 1960's. At that time women were becoming aware of their anger at how sexist conditioning limited their growth potential as creative individuals. It was my awakening. Women have responded to the women’s movement in a variety of ways. Some have gone towards separatism as a reaction against the injustice of male chauvinlsm. YOU WANT AN ALTERNATIVE ! Others have gone into politics and others have gone into traditionally male careers, thereby overturning insular vocational roles. My friends and I have moved into the area of alternative lifestyle. We have formed an envi- ronment in which women and men are totally equal and all children are exposed to a setting which reinforces their individual talents. In our non-sexist, alternative intentional com- munity all jobs are chosen on the basis of natural inclination rather than gender. All decisions are made by everyone collectively. Children are raised cooperatively by all the women and men in the village. Housework is shared equally amongst men and women. All men are feminists and all women have leader- ship qualities. All income is shared and leisure is valued. Jealousy and possessiveness have been transcended. Everyone in the village has tapped into techniques to release her/his hid- den talents, and all children are young geniuses nurtured by the peer education they receive from their teachers who are also their friends. This nonsexist, alternative, intentional com- munity is called Kerista Village. Kerista Vil- lagers are not just individuals who have cre- ated a way out of isolated anger for them- selves. We are benevolent workers who view philanthropy as an art form. We are interested
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Geography: San Francisco (Calif.)
Subjects: Alternative lifestyles--California, Communal living--California--San Francisco
Identifier: yhm-spe-ker-eph-093
Is part of: Kerista Commune Collection, Communal Societies Collection, Hamilton College Library Digital Collections

Title: First annual congress of alternative lifestyles
Author: Kerista Commune
Publisher: Hamilton College Library
Place published: Clinton, New York, United States
Text: THE FIRST ANN UAL COHG RESS o1= ALTERNATIVE .L-,JE,ﬁ€ 5T1‘,-£5 +<*=\' THE MOST IMPORTANT INCE. WOODSTOCK The calling together of The First Annual Congress of Alternative Lifestyles is an historic event in the evolu- tion of the United States of America. It represents the second half of the American Revolution; the non- violent, intellectual half, which is dedicated to life, liberty, and the pursuit of alternatives. The significance of the vanguard movement in alternative ways of living, learning, working and thinking , goes beyond the individuals involved in experimentation, beyond this state, or this country. Its ultimate impor- tance is global in nature.... because those people who have discorporated from old—fashic-ned mind-sets and have moved into a state of uprooted mobility have a real chance of finding a way to Beat the Deadline. The Deadline is the date, possibly the year 2020, by which time scientific studies have predicted a disastrous calamity in the world....14 b...
Show moreTHE FIRST ANN UAL COHG RESS o1= ALTERNATIVE .L-,JE,ﬁ€ 5T1‘,-£5 +<*=\' THE MOST IMPORTANT INCE. WOODSTOCK The calling together of The First Annual Congress of Alternative Lifestyles is an historic event in the evolu- tion of the United States of America. It represents the second half of the American Revolution; the non- violent, intellectual half, which is dedicated to life, liberty, and the pursuit of alternatives. The significance of the vanguard movement in alternative ways of living, learning, working and thinking , goes beyond the individuals involved in experimentation, beyond this state, or this country. Its ultimate impor- tance is global in nature.... because those people who have discorporated from old—fashic-ned mind-sets and have moved into a state of uprooted mobility have a real chance of finding a way to Beat the Deadline. The Deadline is the date, possibly the year 2020, by which time scientific studies have predicted a disastrous calamity in the world....14 billion people on the planet, ravaging famines, depletion of resources, heavy pollu- tion.... chaos.... that is, if things continue to follow the trends which they are presently following. To beat the deadline we, the humans of this planet, must come up with utopian solutions, and come up with them now. W//////////////////////////////////////// The illiterate poor masses of the world have no way of dealing with this problem. The literate non- poor of the world appear to be largely trapped into a paradigm of continued over-consumption and over- production. Thus, it comes down to the literate poor of the world, those who have the awareness, the mobility, the freedom, and the collective power, to discover the solutions and build alternative demonstration models that work. The purposes of The First Annual Congress of Alternative Lifestyles are four fold. They are: 1. To establish a viable Alternative Lifestyles Alliance and information network connected to a Central Opera- tions Room in San Francisco. 2. To enable the many Alternative Lifestyle groups and group originators to meet one another, exchange ideas, and begin working on cooperative projects. 3. To make the public aware of the fact that there are real alternatives connected to the theme of beating the deadline. 4. To acclaim Equalogy Day on July 5th and to launch historically The Movement for Altruistic Social Trans- formation. The Congress of Alternative Lifestyles is sponsored by P.A.S.S., Inc., a nonprofit educational corporation in San Francisco. Further information about The Congress may be obtained by writing or phoning: P.A.S.S., Inc. 1833 Page St. San Francisco, CA 94117 Phone: (415) 752-0773 or (415) 661-2459 between 11 A.M. and‘ 11 P.M.
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Geography: San Francisco (Calif.)
Subjects: Alternative lifestyles--California, Communal living--California--San Francisco
Identifier: yhm-spe-ker-eph-067
Is part of: Kerista Commune Collection, Communal Societies Collection, Hamilton College Library Digital Collections

Title: First annual congress of alternative lifestyles
Author: Kerista Commune
Publisher: Hamilton College Library
Place published: Clinton, New York, United States
Text: THE FIRST ANNUAL CONGRESS OF ALTERNATIVE 1:.j*E&E THE MOST IMPORTANT EVENT SINCE WOODSTOCK The calling together of The First Annual Congress of Alternative Lifestyles is an historic event in the evolu- tion of the United States of America. It represents the second half of the American Revolution; the non- violent, intellectual half, which is dedicated to life, liberty, and the pursuit of alternatives. The significance of the vanguard movement in alternative ways of living, learning, working and thinking goes beyond the individuals involved in experimentation, beyond this state, or this country. Its ultimate impor- tance is global in nature.... because those people who have discorporated from old-fashioned mind—se_ts and have moved into a state of uprooted mobility have a real chance of finding a way to Beat the Dead/ine. The Deadline is the date, possibly the year 2020, by which time scientific studies have predicted a disastrous calamity in the world.... l4 billion people on th...
Show moreTHE FIRST ANNUAL CONGRESS OF ALTERNATIVE 1:.j*E&E THE MOST IMPORTANT EVENT SINCE WOODSTOCK The calling together of The First Annual Congress of Alternative Lifestyles is an historic event in the evolu- tion of the United States of America. It represents the second half of the American Revolution; the non- violent, intellectual half, which is dedicated to life, liberty, and the pursuit of alternatives. The significance of the vanguard movement in alternative ways of living, learning, working and thinking goes beyond the individuals involved in experimentation, beyond this state, or this country. Its ultimate impor- tance is global in nature.... because those people who have discorporated from old-fashioned mind—se_ts and have moved into a state of uprooted mobility have a real chance of finding a way to Beat the Dead/ine. The Deadline is the date, possibly the year 2020, by which time scientific studies have predicted a disastrous calamity in the world.... l4 billion people on the planet, ravaging famines, depletion of resources, heavy pollu— tion.... chaos.... that is, if things continue to follow the trends which they are presently following. To beat the deadline we, the humans of this planet, must come up with utopian solutions, and come up with them now. mm ' The illiterate poor masses of the world have no way of dealing with this problem. The literate non- poor of the world appear to be largely trapped into a paradigm of continued over-consumption and over- production. Thus, it comes down to the literate poor of the world, those who have the awareness, the mobidity, the freedom, and the collective power, to discover the solutions and build alternative demonstration models that work. s / The purposes of The First Annual Congress of Alternative Lifestyles are four fold. They are: 1. To establish a viable Alternative Lifestyles Alliance and information network connected to a Central Opera- tions Room in San Francisco. 2. To enable the many Alternative Lifestyle groups and group originators to meet one another, exchange ideas, and begin working on cooperative projects. 3. To make the public aware of the fact that there are real alternatives connected to the theme of beating the deadline. 4. To acclaim Equalogy Day on July 5th and to launch historically The Movement for Altruistic Social Trans- formation. The Congress of Alternative Lifestyles is sponsored by P.A.S.S., Inc., a nonprofit educational corporation in San Francisco. Further information about The Congress may be obtained by writing or phoning: P.A.S.S., Inc. 1833 Page St. San Francisco, CA 94117 Phone: (415) 752-0773 or (415) 661-2459 between 11 A.M. and 11 P.M.
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Geography: San Francisco (Calif.)
Subjects: Alternative lifestyles--California, Communal living--California--San Francisco
Identifier: yhm-spe-ker-eph-066
Is part of: Kerista Commune Collection, Communal Societies Collection, Hamilton College Library Digital Collections

Title: Friendship: Kerista Village utopian community
Author: Kerista Commune
Publisher: Hamilton College Library
Place published: Clinton, New York, United States
Text: KERISTA VILLAGE Utopian Community Kerista Village is a work of art — a work of art taking place in a totally new art form called Culture Sculpture. Kerista Village is the real- life creation of a new “seed society” for the future. We in Kerista Village view ourselves as cultural pioneers. We’re sculptinga new microculture inside the larger macroculture, and the “clay" we're using has at least three elements which make it unique: 1. A new psychology called Utopian Psychology. We're building our new microculture on the psychological premise that human nature is fundamentally good. We believe that all people are born with a set of positive, innate “instincts” — propensities for such things as coopera- tion, fun, verbality, responsibility, freedom, humor, etc. Gestalt-O-Rama is an exciting new process we've invented for shedding all of our residual negativity and tapping into the wells of creativity inside of ourselves. Gestalt-O-Rama is an ongoing conver- sational t...
Show moreKERISTA VILLAGE Utopian Community Kerista Village is a work of art — a work of art taking place in a totally new art form called Culture Sculpture. Kerista Village is the real- life creation of a new “seed society” for the future. We in Kerista Village view ourselves as cultural pioneers. We’re sculptinga new microculture inside the larger macroculture, and the “clay" we're using has at least three elements which make it unique: 1. A new psychology called Utopian Psychology. We're building our new microculture on the psychological premise that human nature is fundamentally good. We believe that all people are born with a set of positive, innate “instincts” — propensities for such things as coopera- tion, fun, verbality, responsibility, freedom, humor, etc. Gestalt-O-Rama is an exciting new process we've invented for shedding all of our residual negativity and tapping into the wells of creativity inside of ourselves. Gestalt-O-Rama is an ongoing conver- sational technique of total verbality, complete honesty, and pure equality. It's our method of transforming ourselves into ideal-centered, dynamic people who will pass on a pureness to our children and a healthy legacy to future generations. 2. A New Family called a B-FlC (pronounced “Bee-Fic"), a Best Friend Identity Cluster. A B-FlC is a family of 12 women and 12 men who are polyﬁdelitous, have an intention of lifetime involvement with one another, and who raise children together as multiple parents. In a B-FlC relationships are “glued" together, not by romantic illusion, but by a mutual dedication to ideals. Relationships in a B-FlC are friend- ships and loverships. 3. A New Religion. ln Kerista Village we believe that lifestyle is re- ligion, and we have legally constructed a non-dogmatic, radical re- ligious institution called Kerista Consciousness Church. We revere totality as divinity, but to add a bit of emotional juice to our religion we've inventedadeity! Her name is Sister Kerista. She's the goddess of humor and she champions equality, liberation, and love. She makes her first appearance on eanh in the Kerista Scriptures — a comic strip called Far Out West. We’re a work in progress, but we'd like to invite you to settle back. meet us as artists, and have an impressionistic glimpse at us — at work, at play, in song, in gestalt with one another, at seminars, in the city, on the road, and at our retreat. Bring along your imagination and think of tomorrow — a future ﬂight. And if what we've discovered over the past years endures the test of time, you may be watching history in the making. Your feedback on our Culture Sculpture is welcome. Our address is Kerista Village, Box 1174, S.F. 94101. Our phone numbers are (415) 566-6502, 566-5640. 665-2988.
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Geography: San Francisco (Calif.)
Subjects: Alternative lifestyles--California, Communal living--California--San Francisco
Identifier: yhm-spe-ker-eph-087
Is part of: Kerista Commune Collection, Communal Societies Collection, Hamilton College Library Digital Collections

Title: Friendship: voluntary simplicity is based on active intentional friendship development
Author: Kerista Commune
Publisher: Hamilton College Library
Place published: Clinton, New York, United States
Text: VOLUNTARY SIMPLICITY IS BASED ON ACTIVE, INTENTIONAL FRIENDSHIP DEVELOPMENT Friendship means a great deal on the Keristan Islands, a Scientific Utopian world order model based on voluntary simplicity, The Keristan Islands are a work of art—taking place in an art form called Culture Sculpture. We view ourselved as cultural pioneers. We're sculpting a new microculture inside the larger macroculture, and the "clay" we're using has a least three elements that make it unique: 1. Utopian Psychology. We're building our new microculture on the psychological premise that human nature is fundamentally good. We believe that all people are born with a set of positive, innate pro- pensities for such things as cooperation, fun, verbality, responsibility, freedom, humor, and generosity. Humans are also equally endowed with innate "negative" capacities (such as for jealousy, rivalry, ag- gressiveness). It becomes the duty of a culture to properly reinforce the pos...
Show moreVOLUNTARY SIMPLICITY IS BASED ON ACTIVE, INTENTIONAL FRIENDSHIP DEVELOPMENT Friendship means a great deal on the Keristan Islands, a Scientific Utopian world order model based on voluntary simplicity, The Keristan Islands are a work of art—taking place in an art form called Culture Sculpture. We view ourselved as cultural pioneers. We're sculpting a new microculture inside the larger macroculture, and the "clay" we're using has a least three elements that make it unique: 1. Utopian Psychology. We're building our new microculture on the psychological premise that human nature is fundamentally good. We believe that all people are born with a set of positive, innate pro- pensities for such things as cooperation, fun, verbality, responsibility, freedom, humor, and generosity. Humans are also equally endowed with innate "negative" capacities (such as for jealousy, rivalry, ag- gressiveness). It becomes the duty of a culture to properly reinforce the positives and discourage the negatives, with a design that allows for the sequential developmental stages of psychological growth. 2. Gestalt-O-Rama.” is an exciting new process for tapping into the wells of creativity inside of ourselves. It's an ongoing technique of total verbality and pure equality; our method of transforming ourselves into dynamic people who will pass on a pureness and a healthy legacy to future generations. 3. A B-FIC (pronounced "Bee-Fic"), a Best Friend Identity Cluster. A B-FIC is a cluster of up to 18 women and 18 men (adults) who are polyfidelitous, have an intention of lifetime involvement with one another, and who raise children as multiple parents. In a B-FIC relation- ships are "glued" together by a mutual dedication to ideals. Relation- ships in a B-FIC are friendships and loverships . . . inside the Voluntary Simplicity Life Style. On the Keristan Islands we have a non-dogmatic, rational religious institution. To add a bit of emotional juice, we've been contacted by a real deity! She's the goddess of humor and she champions humor, equality, liberation, and love. She makes her first appearance on earth in a comic strip called Far Out West . . , which became the scriptures of the religion practiced by all of the inhabitants of the Islands. The Keristan Islands are a working world order model in progress, and we'd like to invite you to meet us—at work, at play, in song, in gestalt with one another, at seminars, in the city, on the road, and at our retreats. Bring along your imagination and think of tomorrow—a future flight. And if what we've discovered endures the test of time, you may be watching history in the making. Your feedback on our Culture Sculpture is welcome. Our address is: Keristan Islands, 543 Frederick St., San Francisco, CA 94117. Our phone numbers are (415) 753-1314 and 665-2988. We hold an "Open House" three nights a week in San Francisco . . . Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays at 8:00 pm.
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Geography: San Francisco (Calif.)
Subjects: Alternative lifestyles--California, Communal living--California--San Francisco
Identifier: yhm-spe-ker-eph-088
Is part of: Kerista Commune Collection, Communal Societies Collection, Hamilton College Library Digital Collections

Title: Funky United Nations
Author: Kerista Commune
Publisher: Hamilton College Library
Place published: Clinton, New York, United States
Text: FUNKY UNITED NATIONS GROWTH CO-OP PARTNERSHIP AGREEMENT GROWTH CO-OP STANDARDS OR BEHAVIORAL NORMS AN INTRODUCTION TO THE GESTALT-O-RAMA GROWTH CO-OP AND THE GESTALT-O- RAMA GROWTH CO-OP THEATER All of the participants agree to the following code of behavioral stan- dards, designed to create an intel- lectually stimulating atmosphere, with the understanding that any of these standards can be changed by majority vote of the Growth Co-op members. The standards are in effect because of the experience of the founding group. Unless a level of selectivity is maintained partici- pants will lose interest and fall away. The standards exist to protect the integrity and quality of the scene; they aren‘t there to repress or inhibit anyone from participating or being expressive. Here are the standards or behavioral norms: 1.Convivia/ity. This includes no one ever raising her/his voice in anger, or using threats, harass- ment or violence to any degree. 2. Social Tolerance. This includes the idea ...
Show moreFUNKY UNITED NATIONS GROWTH CO-OP PARTNERSHIP AGREEMENT GROWTH CO-OP STANDARDS OR BEHAVIORAL NORMS AN INTRODUCTION TO THE GESTALT-O-RAMA GROWTH CO-OP AND THE GESTALT-O- RAMA GROWTH CO-OP THEATER All of the participants agree to the following code of behavioral stan- dards, designed to create an intel- lectually stimulating atmosphere, with the understanding that any of these standards can be changed by majority vote of the Growth Co-op members. The standards are in effect because of the experience of the founding group. Unless a level of selectivity is maintained partici- pants will lose interest and fall away. The standards exist to protect the integrity and quality of the scene; they aren‘t there to repress or inhibit anyone from participating or being expressive. Here are the standards or behavioral norms: 1.Convivia/ity. This includes no one ever raising her/his voice in anger, or using threats, harass- ment or violence to any degree. 2. Social Tolerance. This includes the idea that people of good will have fundamental differences of opinion. All differences can be tol- erated and graciously discussed, even though agreement may not be reached. 3. Flationa/ity. The introduction of conversational modes which defy logic and reason will not be toler- ated. The idea of being totally ra- tional at all times is a basic tenet of the Growth Co—op. 4. The Search for Truth through the Elimination of Contradictions. This means that we will encounter any statement that contradicts the body of premises that have already been assembled as our basic belief system, with the readiness to change any existent premise that is faulty. 5. Verbality. We are all highly verbal and dullness is seen by the members as a “sick point.” Nonver- bality will be grounds for expulsion from the Growth Co-op. Dialectic and conversation are seen by us as art forms which help us to become beautiful and expressive people. 6. Equality. This means that we will each have one vote. We will share leadership, without one per- son being recognized by the others as the leader. Each of us will do everything possible to study the concepts of equality as being differ- ent from sameness. Each of us is unique and a sovereign individual. We wish to remove any special privileges that attach to any person and attempt to be as equal as possible within our ability to under- stand the meaning and significance of the idea of equality. 7. Non-Sexism. Both sexes are re- garded and treated as totally equal in every way. 8. Non-Ageism. Any adult of any age is welcome as a member. 9. Non—Racisrn. Any adult of any race is welcome as a member. 10. Non-Classism. Every human adult is equal to any other. 11. Participatory Democracy. We vote on everything. The majority of votes will prevail. Each member of The Gestalt—O-Rama Growth Co-op has one vote. Visitors may vote on matters that affect them, but cannot do more than advise on serious Growth Co-op matters. 12. Accountability. ‘ This means that any reasonable question will be answered by a participant. The phrase, “l don’t want to talk about it," will not be accepted. However, it the individual feels that the subject matter istoo personal the issue can be brought to the group for a decid- ing vote. The principle of being open and honest is basic to the idea of a “gesta|t" environment that benefits all. 13. No Duplicity. Nothing is said about a person when s/he isn't there that isn't said directly to the person and made known to her/ him. This means no gossip and no secret statements or opinions. 14. Non-Alienation. This means that we are not into “bad-mouth- ing" our government or our institu- tions. Critical discussion and nega- tive observations can be introduced into the conversation, but not with bitterness and acrimony. We aren't hateful people. Flaw hatefulness is seen by us as a “sick point." Other sick points include bigotry, social intolerance, prejudice, etc. 15. Active, Intentional Friendship Development. We all wish to make as many new friends as possible. It’s important to us to work on building new friendships. Persons who aren’t seeking new friends aren’t welcome to participate in the Growth Co-op. New friends who fall into clearly defined relationship rings will help us fill out our Friend- ship Context Model. This is one of the main models that we use in the Gestalt-O—Rama Growth Co-op as a basic tenet of sane living. 16. Non-Interference in Art. This means that any member of the Growth Co-op can originate an art project or an intellectual or sports activity. For example, a member might originate a theater project such as an erotic motion picture or a videotape series about “sick points" or “pleasure centers." The project originator has the right to state as clearly as possible what the criteria for participation in the proj- ect are and to evaluate whether people meet the criteria. No one who is not suited to participate, based upon the judgment of the project originator, can force her/his way into the project. The person who doesn't fit in has the right to originate a different project, but doesn’t have the right to interfere with the originator of the project that s/he doesn't fit into. This is a basic protection to all members. 17. Graceful Distancing. This means that any individual who doesn’t agree to abide by these basic behavioral norms or stan- dards will be asked to leave the premises. Furthermore, one or more members of the Growth Co- op who have entered the Growth Co—op fraudulently, that is, stating that they would abide by the stan- dards and then having no intention to abide by the standards, can be voted out by majority vote of the Voting Members of the Gestalt-O- Rama Growth Co-op in good stand- ing. All participants agree to grace- fully distance if they are charged with an infraction of the standards and voted out by majority rule of the Voting Members. Now, let us make it crystal clear that the purpose of the standards and the behavioral norms is to pro- tect the participants from being ripped off and having their evenings spoiled by persons who simply haven’t any intention of working on themselves within the context of “friendship development” as stated by the Gestalt-O—Flama Growth Co- op. All of us who have become friends have started out as total strangers. We want intellectual vigor and the excitement of theatri- cal wit and good humor in our lives. We want many friends in many cate- gories. in order to get what we want we have to know clearly what we want and how to get it. We require constancy of purpose. The Keristans operate the Gesta|t-O- Rama Growth Co-op as a forum for working on themselves and for meeting others who want to explore working on themselves also, in the context of this lifestyle. Growth Co-op meetings (open to the public) happen on Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday , at B p.m., and involve stimulating conversa- tion and video viewing in the Video Gestalt Theater. Interested newcomers are invited The way to know what we want is to talk it out. As the founding char- ter group retains ultimate protec- tion under the standard of Non- lnterference in Art, the charter group wishes to spread the leader- ship out to include all participants. The need for a social contract is obvious to any of us who have been involved in making the GestaIt—O— Rama Growth Co-op a success. We have worked hard to create a social scene which is vigorous, unique, exciting and quite different from any other type of scene. The types of people who come are rational and intelligent. Dull types are weeded out by the G—O-Fl process. They are looking for a different kind of enter- tainment than what we offer. We exist to serve a special constituency with integrity. No one has the right of intrusion into our space who doesn't agree with this set of standards which we have made as clear as possible and which we intend to uphold. The standards protect us from medioc- rity which we see as the enemy of intellectual vigor and the pursuit of happiness. Outside of our dedica- tion to responsible hedonism and economic equality we intend to mind our own business as we live out our lives peacefully and with good will to all. to come once and explore getting involved for a six-week introductory period, followed by a six-month intensive membership in the Growth Co-op if interest in the Keristan phil- osophy and lifestyle continues to grow. The Growth Co—op is located at 543 Fred- erick St. in San Francisco (near Stanyan). For additional information call 566-6502 or 665-2988. A program of THE UTOPIAN PEACE CORPS
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Geography: San Francisco (Calif.)
Subjects: Alternative lifestyles--California, Communal living--California--San Francisco
Identifier: yhm-spe-ker-eph-135
Is part of: Kerista Commune Collection, Communal Societies Collection, Hamilton College Library Digital Collections

Title: Future vision contest
Author: Kerista Commune
Publisher: Hamilton College Library
Place published: Clinton, New York, United States
Text: FUTURE VISION CONTEST The Future Vision of Kibbutz Kerista Is Based on a Spread of the Practice of Communal Life to the U.S.A., Across the Nation, and Around the Entire Planet Here is a list of essential research projects: 0 Designing and creating a K’vutza overlay building-block - Creating a brand-name world brain module (central node) - Building models inside a microcomputer 0 Miniaturization 0 Computer-aided engineering 0 Reducing optimal factory size - Sophisticated design-to—manufacture cycles 0 Breathing new life into the independent end-user 0 Software services and the ”lease~a-team” context 0 ‘Intelligence-added” features (expert systems and AI) 0 Fantastic communications between all nodes in the system 0 Gold-collar knowledge workers (computer professionals) 0 Steel-collar industrial workers (robots and robotization) 0 The conquest of labor (the 1092-hour work-year) I Maximizing job-enrichment; the ordinary worker as the ultimate consumer 0 Hmnanizing the work place; art to...
Show moreFUTURE VISION CONTEST The Future Vision of Kibbutz Kerista Is Based on a Spread of the Practice of Communal Life to the U.S.A., Across the Nation, and Around the Entire Planet Here is a list of essential research projects: 0 Designing and creating a K’vutza overlay building-block - Creating a brand-name world brain module (central node) - Building models inside a microcomputer 0 Miniaturization 0 Computer-aided engineering 0 Reducing optimal factory size - Sophisticated design-to—manufacture cycles 0 Breathing new life into the independent end-user 0 Software services and the ”lease~a-team” context 0 ‘Intelligence-added” features (expert systems and AI) 0 Fantastic communications between all nodes in the system 0 Gold-collar knowledge workers (computer professionals) 0 Steel-collar industrial workers (robots and robotization) 0 The conquest of labor (the 1092-hour work-year) I Maximizing job-enrichment; the ordinary worker as the ultimate consumer 0 Hmnanizing the work place; art to the rescue 0 Scientific household formation; the future multiple-adult family cluster - Self-esteem enhancement as the baseline for everybody - Voluntary simplicity and voluntary wealth limitation 0 Shared leadership fully developed - Horizontal social democracy operating efficiently and smoothly Premise: The kibbutz way of life is the jewel of developmental Judaic civilization, and is now ready for global, ecumenical replication.
Show less
Geography: San Francisco (Calif.)
Subjects: Alternative lifestyles--California, Communal living--California--San Francisco
Identifier: yhm-spe-ker-eph-130
Is part of: Kerista Commune Collection, Communal Societies Collection, Hamilton College Library Digital Collections

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