I went ic.org and read about some communes, was wondering if anyone could tell me anything else I should know before I decide to vist one.
dont expect what they say on the web to be what it is in real life.. we have had years and years of experience dealing with people who have lived at and visited communes and the one thing that resonates with all of them is "that place was nothing like they said it was" or "nobody said anything about that on the web"..
Hippiehillbilly has made a good point, so the question should really be 'What is it like at a commune?" At least that's what I'd like to know. I'm probably going to join a commune as soon as I turn 18 or 19 years old.
I've had friends who visited communes in the middle of nowhere. They had a 'yellow pages' of them by state that listed a bried philosophy behind the group, and most of the groups wanted to inteveiw you and meet you before they let you join. this sounded sound to me. most of the ones I've been to are large group houses in the city where it's easy to leave if you don't like it.
9 out of 10 communes fail. If you join one, pick a serious one that has detailed financial plans and rules. There is a book that is good and you can find it if you go to Youtube and type "peak oil" the intentional communities segment.
I stayed on one for a while. it was a bunch of old busses and trailers on this ranch. had this awesome river running through it. the founders had made a deal with the rancher who owned the land. he would let us stay, if we helped out around the ranch, Deffinetly an experience i will never forget. It was not all roses however, there were good times and bad times just like anywhere else. And, it was a lot of hard work. I heard through friends, that the place got shut down by the local police shortly after i left, really is a shame. it was a special place to a lot of good people.
i lived at one and on the land next door for 10 years.i've been to many for visits.the one i lived at lasted a little over 30 years.till bulldozed.in the begining it was viet nam vets and young hippies.it was all about peace,love,God,nature,being free to be yourself.most grew good high grade viet nam pot and vegtables there.large amounts of money poured in from the weed.some bought nearby land and needed necessities.some bought trucks,guns,horses,hard drugs,pills,liquor,basically toys and parties.to make the stories short,the ones who stuck to their begining ideas and beliefs are enjoying the simple and peaceful life that comes from their own hard labor.food gardens,children,God,being truthful to their self and way of life.the ones who let the fast money and all of the ugliness that went with it take over, lost their lives,or freedom,or wives and children,lost their sanity,their health,and can no longer find or care about God.so it's what you make of it as a personal choice.what do i have to offer to my family,community,what do i have to offer God you should ask your self first.