I lost my daughter to a rainbow gathering many years ago, one week after her high school graduation. Obviously I don't find the subject very funny.
When she disappeared someone saw her trade her beads for some kind of white robe and disappeared into a group following someone who who felt he was
the next coming. Please! We spent many hours tracking the group she followed and her where-abouts. And it was not the "god fearing group" they
played themselves off to be. (Guns and drug arrests....) Thankfully she's back above ground now and we're re-building our relationship. She has 3
babies on her hip, no education, no work history, and lots of responsibilities. But since she's surfaced she's enrolled in nursing school and is
trying to make something of herself. I'm very proud of her today but I don't take lightly the years she cost herself following the "hippy" lifestyle.
All of you hippy wanna be's should think carefully about your posts. Maybe it's fun for the adults but it's very dangerous for our kids! Please be
responsible in your messages!
I took my daughter to a Rainbow Gathering, she was determined to go one way or the other. She kept me from drifting off into Rainbow La La Land.
Brought me back safe and sound.
Many people make blanket statements in judgment regarding different lifestyles or cultures. Again, many of them are not qualified to know because they
have never had the experience that conjures their unfounded fear.
However.................Doc's Mom does have a basis for her fear. She lost her daughter for a critical period in her still formative years. I respect
anyone's opinions based on experience. Her's is a valid opinion!
The circumstances were not made clear in her post and that is probably intentional. It is none of our business. But since she did post in reaction to
The Rainbow Gathering, I would like to comment.
I am not defending The Rainbow Gathering, but I am not condemning them either. I don't believe that a "hippy gathering" is necessarily a cult. It is a
culture that one can have fun in and then return to the real world; school, work, family.
Perhaps, a young person who is seeking truth from sources other than the traditional; parents, ministers, school teachers, can by chance encounter a
cult leader. Often drugs can color a person's judgment, but then, drugs may not have been a factor. It is likely though.
Cult leaders are usually frauds. They don't always start out with that intention. Often they start with a belief system based around religion.
The leader usually sees himself (most are male), as righteous and good. They are always charismatic. They are very convincing and cunning. In time,
they become corrupted by their own growing sense of power. They are pathological liars. This power is validated, in his mind, because he has no
trouble finding impressionable followers. The leader discovers that followers will give up anything to him because they believe in him as a Spiritual
leader. The cult leader eventually feels he is God or some perverted equivalent. People are all too willing to turn over material goods, sometimes
wealth if they have it, and sex. This transition within the seeker occurs incrementally, until they are totally vulnerable to exploitation without
reservation.
During the 1980s Bhagwan Sri Rajneesh was one such cult leader. Another famous one was The Reverand Jim Jones. We all know where he led his followers.
The stability of ones mind and a solid sense of who he/she is would determine how susceptible they are to corruption, in any environment. Chances are,
most people can venture in and out of "hippy gatherings" without getting lost. A young teenager just out of high school would certainly be more
vulnerable though, because they haven't fully formed their own self identities or belief systems. Sure, they think they have, but not really. There is
often a struggle to rebel against parental guidance.
It is always a tough choice for parents to make: The more oppressive the parent, the more the kids rebel. The more liberal the parent, the more room
for a child to get lost.
I believe that a parent must make it their business to know where their kids are, and who they are. If the parent has an open mind and good
relationship with their child, the child can be trusted to explore and come back. Not always! But usually. It depends on the individual child, the
parents and how loving is their relationship. If the child is unstable, the signs will be present.
There are so many choices and each person is unique; a product of their experience. Otherwise, don't judge. Your uninformed judgments hold no
validity; just unqualified prejudices.
It is important to make informed decisions about a particular lifestyle. One doesn't have to physically place themselves in an alternative (even if
temporary) lifestyle or gathering. You can inquire, read, talk to people who have, learn the pros and cons and then judge for yourself...and
no one else, except for your child for whom you are responsible.
I am happy Doc's Mom's daughter is back on track. That reflects well on the whole family.
Originally posted by toneart
Many people make blanket statements in judgment regarding different lifestyles or cultures. Again, many of them are not qualified to know because they
have never had the experience that conjures their unfounded fear.
However.................Doc's Mom does have a basis for her fear. She lost her daughter for a critical period in her still formative years. I respect
anyone's opinions based on experience. Her's is a valid opinion!
The circumstances were not made clear in her post and that is probably intentional. It is none of our business. But since she did post in reaction to
The Rainbow Gathering, I would like to comment.
I am not defending The Rainbow Gathering, but I am not condemning them either. I don't believe that a "hippy gathering" is necessarily a cult. It is a
culture that one can have fun in and then return to the real world; school, work, family.
Perhaps, a young person who is seeking truth from sources other than the traditional; parents, ministers, school teachers, can by chance encounter a
cult leader. Often drugs can color a person's judgment, but then, drugs may not have been a factor. It is likely though.
Cult leaders are usually frauds. They don't always start out with that intention. Often they start with a belief system based around religion.
The leader usually sees himself (most are male), as righteous and good. They are always charismatic. They are very convincing and cunning. In time,
they become corrupted by their own growing sense of power. They are pathological liars. This power is validated, in his mind, because he has no
trouble finding impressionable followers. The leader discovers that followers will give up anything to him because they believe in him as a Spiritual
leader. The cult leader eventually feels he is God or some perverted equivalent. People are all too willing to turn over material goods, sometimes
wealth if they have it, and sex. This transition within the seeker occurs incrementally, until they are totally vulnerable to exploitation without
reservation.
During the 1980s Bhagwan Sri Rajneesh was one such cult leader. Another famous one was The Reverand Jim Jones. We all know where he led his followers.
The stability of ones mind and a solid sense of who he/she is would determine how susceptible they are to corruption, in any environment. Chances are,
most people can venture in and out of "hippy gatherings" without getting lost. A young teenager just out of high school would certainly be more
vulnerable though, because they haven't fully formed their own self identities or belief systems. Sure, they think they have, but not really. There is
often a struggle to rebel against parental guidance.
It is always a tough choice for parents to make: The more oppressive the parent, the more the kids rebel. The more liberal the parent, the more room
for a child to get lost.
I believe that a parent must make it their business to know where their kids are, and who they are. If the parent has an open mind and good
relationship with their child, the child can be trusted to explore and come back. Not always! But usually. It depends on the individual child, the
parents and how loving is their relationship. If the child is unstable, the signs will be present.
There are so many choices and each person is unique; a product of their experience. Otherwise, don't judge. Your uninformed judgments hold no
validity; just unqualified prejudices.
It is important to make informed decisions about a particular lifestyle. One doesn't have to physically place themselves in an alternative (even if
temporary) lifestyle or gathering. You can inquire, read, talk to people who have, learn the pros and cons and then judge for yourself...and
no one else, except for your child for whom you are responsible.
I am happy Doc's Mom's daughter is back on track. That reflects well on the whole family.
Peace
kids are more likely to be exposed to a cult at college, but we don't discourage kids from going to college.
colleges and rainbow gatherings attract all types, and most are not cults.
p.s. all organized religion has cult-like elements,... all religions demand obeyance to an arbitrary set of laws established by people motivated by
pursuit of power,...
Easy Rider....great flick! But in my opinion it is disconnected from the "hippie" lifestyle. Neither of the heroes of Easy Rider were hippes. Though,
"Capt America" was faced with the choice to stay at the commune and 'turn on' or continue the trip to New Orleans. I was always gald he did not,
regardless of how it ended up. Good movie all the way around.
kids are more likely to be exposed to a cult at college, but we don't discourage kids from going to college.
colleges and rainbow gatherings attract all types, and most are not cults.
p.s. all organized religion has cult-like elements,... all religions demand obeyance to an arbitrary set of laws established by people motivated by
pursuit of power,...
mtgoat,
If I read you right you aren't disagreeing with me. You are augmenting. Right?
What a bummer! My son just informed me under no circumstances were 2tie die 4 and myself allowed to go to the gathering.Hmmmmm.Time to get crafty.
See some of you in La Paz
I did a google earth search and found a marker for the Gathering at
24 40'59.70"N 110 43'33.24"W
Punta Coyote, San Juan De La Costa, Baja California Sur, Mexico
It is clear that there are positive aspects to efforts to rethink our role on earth, sustainability, ecology and community for peace and there are
efforts which discredit the movement.
Its interesting to consider theology and the range of spirituality, belief systems and to understand that there are always many who use spirituality
for oppression and evil. Also there are efforts to miscommunicate, misdirect and co-opt good causes to divide our power.
Let anyone who chooses to, imagine that their actions can demonstrate peace, that a mind set and awareness is all that is required to create a world
which is sustainable and provides food for everyone, that we can respect each other and our differences and coexist.
While we celebrate these concepts lets also discuss the requirements for ethics and responsibility in the process.
Far out, man! I'm ready to go to Rainbowstock. I wonder where some of the people, such as the "pinger" man , keep their travel documents? Guess you
don't have to worry about a concealed weapon.
We\'re all here cuz we\'re not all there, mountain stranded time
Originally posted by Cajones
********************************
********************************
This is nothing more than an excuse for the outer fringe of society to get high on drugs and parade around naked.
Most of the braided with beads armpit crowd are just trying to upset their parents and the authorities and have nothing to offer society except
good cheap drugs and cosmic advice on all things political.
Stop trying to promote it as anything but what it is, a group of hardcore hippies with a few wannaby hippies thrown in for good measure getting high.
Keep your kids away from this garbage and you will be better off in the long term.
You do not want them ending up as candle makers or musicians with no hope for the future except as professional protesters.
Originally posted by gnukid
I did a google earth search and found a marker for the Gathering at
37 25.818'N, 122 05.36'W
Punta Coyote, San Juan De La Costa, Baja California Sur, Mexico
It is clear that there are positive aspects to efforts to rethink our role on earth, sustainability, ecology and community for peace and there are
efforts which discredit the movement.
Its interesting to consider theology and the range of spirituality, belief systems and to understand that there are always many who use spirituality
for oppression and evil. Also there are efforts to miscommunicate, misdirect and co-opt good causes to divide our power.
Let anyone who chooses to, imagine that their actions can demonstrate peace, that a mind set and awareness is all that is required to create a world
which is sustainable and provides food for everyone, that we can respect each other and our differences and coexist.
While we celebrate these concepts lets also discuss the requirements for ethics and responsibility in the process.
Here is what one can find near San Juan de la Costa...
Cypress,
Funny how our kids are. Had Docsdad & I taken our son to a Rainbow Gathering he'd have ushered us out of there with many lectures to come!!!!
Our son is completely structured, our daughter is a free spirit.
Makes me wonder about nature vs: nurture.
Toneart,
Thank you for your insightful post. Yes, I was intentionally vague on specifics because my daughter deserves the respect.
It's likely that most from my generation dabbled in drugs, alternative lifestyles, and behavior that made our parents crazy. The difference for my
daughter was that she hooked up with a cult. Why? Who knows.
I just believe that today's hippies are more destructive than those we knew in the 60's and 70's. Todays culture isn't the same as it was then and so
when you meet these throubacks it's obvious that they can't compete in today's world. (Trust me!). When you have kids and grandkids exposed to this
alternative lifestyle, it's disturbing.
Those of you heading to the rainbow gathering, go have a great time!!!! And I mean that! But if you meet young folks, not yet fully formed, please
send them home, back to school, back to their jobs. Encourage them to find a way to check into life, instead of out of it.
Thank you.
Kathy
Since my lovely wife and I will be in the neighborhood maybe we will go and check it out. Please don't tell our children, they would be
dissapointed....they think they raised us better than that.....dt
Just let bhagwans be bhagwans
I tried to hitchike to a gathering in 1978 in eastern washington but was a little late and got there when they were finishing/cleaning up.
My experience was that a lot of those far leftist crowd were as shut down as the far right crowd in their tolerance of different beliefs
The rainbow crowd shunned me when they found out that I enjoy a good plate of carnitas.
"If it were lush and rich, one could understand the pull, but it is fierce and hostile and sullen.
The stone mountains pile up to the sky and there is little fresh water. But we know we must go back
if we live, and we don't know why." - Steinbeck, Log from the Sea of Cortez
"People don't care how much you know, until they know how much you care." - Theodore Roosevelt
"You can easily judge the character of others by how they treat those who they think can do nothing for them or to them." - Malcolm Forbes
"Let others lead small lives, but not you. Let others argue over small things, but not you. Let others
cry over small hurts, but not you. Let others leave their future in someone else's hands, but not you." - Jim Rohn
"The best way to get the right answer on the internet is not to ask a question; it's to post the wrong answer." - Cunningham's Law
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