past expiriences with communes

what are your past expiriences with living in communes?

 

I've seen some work because everybody was on the same page and everybody worked and contributed their share. I've seen some fail because things were too scattered, people were too opinionated and stubborn, and no one could organize well because everybody wanted to do things their own way. I've seen failures due to drug dealing and being too loose. And I've seen failures due to bums who are only really looking for a free ride.

 

Ditto

 

^ would you say then that it is in mans nature to own something for themselvs and not to always have to share everything?

 

Humans are basically pretty selfish critters. A carry over from our survival instincts. We've got a mind to think with and that is the thing which tells us how we wish to behave, but we are still evolved from animals and animals all have survival instincts. Even small children who have not been "taught" "right and wrong" yet scream, cry, fight over their toys, and are generally pretty animal natured. Humans are definately just naturally happier if they have their own personal space, no matter how spiritual/sharing/giving they think they should be. And it's alot easier to be a good and kind person to others if you DO have your own "place of power" to recharge your batteries...

 

so do you want to ever enter a commune again?

 

I don't think it is exactly like you enter a commune. We all live in community, whether it is a large organized one (cities), or smaller ones revolving around some theme or common interest. I have lived in cultish communities that had rituals and practices that set them apart from mainstream. They had leaders, and ranks of authority, and mandatory meetings. I have lived in many situations where community revolved around work exchange, as I needed a place to stay, and they needed farm, ranch, or orchard workers. I was an agricultural apprentice, a shitake mushroom farmer, and apple picker, and communed with others, working and living together.


I need my own space, lots of my own space, and even though I like the support system offered by living with others, the drama and complexity of community often makes it easier to keep it small. I like predictability, and a peaceful environment, and have yet to find any community where I felt completely at peace. I live with two others now, my partner,and our friend, and thats just big enough for me right now.

 

We live in the country and have a small community here. Not as in 'city' but as in community. we have three 'houses' anf four families living in them. There are usually about 10 or 11 of us.
I have lived in communes were everyone lives in the same house, with 10 people or more in the same house.. people are always in your stuff. Nothing is sacred right down to your panties, iffen ya wear them. I don't mind sharing, but there are things I don't like to share too.. like my man.. or my toothbrush..I don't mind lending my car, but I don't let just anyone borrow it.
There can be a lot of petty jelousy too if everyone doesn't has the same amount of whatevers going around. Egos clash and shit happens.
I like having my own space deffently better then sharing everything. But I am older and a little wiser then I was when I was in a commune in the 70s. I like the quiet, noise gets on my nerves and disturbs my peace.
I think community is a great thing if you resonate with what's happening.. for me tho I like my own things. It's too hard to replace things these daze.

Bright Blessings
sh

 

Maybe it's the difference between communes and communities. Good neighbors are a wonderful thing to have, but having to share yer personal space with others is wearing. I've only ever found a couple folks who I could live with in my home (or theirs) without being driven completely crazy. It ain't natural to be "married" to numerous folks and trying to live in close quarters like that is too much like being married.

 

I've been married four times.. I wouldn't have relish the idea of living with them all at once.. good grief.. I lived with four or five men back in the commune and being the only woman sucked.
We all got along, but there were times when nerves got raw. We generaly did not fight amoungst ourselves, if we had a problem we would bring it up at a meeting. It's hard to please everyone.
Smaller groups of people seem to do better then large crowds of energies clashing together trying to cover everyones needs.
I agree being in a commune is like being married to everyone. Crazy man!

 

what do you mean by sharing your panties, your man and your tooth brush? how exactly did that go? what other stuff did you have to share that you didnt want to share?

 

Obviously rak you have never lived in a commune.. but just for the record. When you live in a commune you have no privacy, people rifle through your things and take/use what they want.
I don't want others wearing my undergarmets, I don't know where they have been. I don't want others using my mans body parts that I use, I dont want the AIDS, Clap, or Herpies. It's cool if you need him to help out doing whatever, but his lovins is for me. I don't want my tooth brush in someone elses mouth for the same reasons. I don't like someone in my kitchen messing up stuff and I don't like people messin' with my family or friends.
Other then that I don't mind sharing food, clothing, shelther, love and respect. I have a generous nature and have always given where there is a need.
When I moved to my first commune I lost everything I owned, the Guy upstais was wearing my clothes.. I guessed that he must have needed them more then I did.
I think that it's all a matter of respect for one another space and trappin's. Some things are private and sentimental and cannot be replaced. I think you learn that with experience tho.. I mean ya don't think about things like that when your young.. only when looking back do you see the path that should have been taken. It's in the learning that you find what you are looking for.
You have to really care for the other members in a commune to be able to overlook the quirks of so many different energies bumping up against themselves.
It;s much better to have lots of room with lots of houses on it, where everyone can have their privacy and space to think. People get along better when they have their own territory.
Commune living can be very regimental, everyone's given duties to fill their day and get the work done. Most communes are farm based and raise their own food. Farming is no picknick and the work is hard and tedious. Not everyone is cut out for this way of life. There are very little luxuries and everything is always broken down bc there is no money to fix anything.
If you can find a commune that you resonate with it can be very rewarding. You learn a lot about human nature living in close quarters with several people. You can learn a lot about yourself too, your strenghts and weaknesses, the depth of your patcients, your commpassion and mercy. All the things that make you human.
Living of the land is a big plus but you dont have to live in a commune to live off the land. It is nice to have real live food.. store bought food has little if any life force left to nurish us.
It's all a matter of whata you want, we change as we get older, our needs change. We see things in a different light, a need for security and a place to be loved and respected away from the trauma dramas of the world. A place to rest, a place to die in peace.

sh

 

did you end up catching any clap or something? if you have any children, do you know who the father is?

 

Strange questions.. but I have nothing to hide.
I never had any STDs and I was Married to both my kids fathers. They both died from drug abuse (fathers not kids).. I left bc of the drugs, guns and total bullshit. Who needs that in their life or around their babies. I was young, I joined a commune and was more protected from the street hustle.

Moving to the country was the best thing I ever did for myself and my kids.

sh

 

sorry for the strange questions, i shouldnt forget that i am talking to real grown ups.

 

Lovin' you shameless, I could not have said it all better myself...

 

Amen

Peace,
poor_old_dad

 

Lovin' you back Patsy, huggin' you up POD..

Brightest Blessings and HAPPY NEW YEAR!!

 

little rant here and I'll go away.....
why do so many automatically think communes or intentional communities or communities all live together in 1 bldg.
god y'all that was the biggest downfall of any group that did that .
Nowadays almost all communities have a statement of purpose, and almost all have personal private living spaces, and almost all believe in personal property and would not be into going through or taking what belongs to another.

Might have been - but sure is not now..... - course then you did ask for Past experiences - just make sure that you do Not assume that this is still the way of it - early days was experimenting with what works - nowadays we have a lot of working, some long lived, examples of what does work.

All done

Have a great one

Blessings Be along the Way


Namaste

 

^why are communes not as common today as in the sixtees and seventees?