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- June 26, 2020
- 12:43 am
The Rainbow Family of Living Light is a worldwide countercultural movement of hippies.
They live by the Native American prophecy that one day, when the Earth is dying, a family of different colors, creeds, and backgrounds will come together in the name of restoring peace and harmony between each other and between humanity and the Earth. To learn more about the movement, we visited their temporary commune in the forest where they gathered this year in Wisconsin to pray for peace, and work together to create a temporary city in the forest.
How does The Farm’s emphasis on communal living create a unique atmosphere of closeness and cooperation?
In the United States, there is a community that has been in existence for decades, and is often referred to as America’s largest hippie commune. This community, known as The Farm, is located in rural Tennessee and spans over 1,700 acres of land. Its roots can be traced back to the 1960s, when a group of individuals came together in San Francisco, California, to form a utopian society grounded in principles of peace, love, and harmony. Today, The Farm is home to over 200 residents, and continues to flourish as a haven for those seeking an alternative lifestyle.
Initially, The Farm was founded by author and activist Stephen Gaskin, who led a caravan of several hundred people across the United States in a quest for spiritual fulfillment. The caravan eventually settled in Tennessee, and The Farm was officially established in 1971. Unlike other communes of the time, The Farm was characterized by its strong sense of community and shared values. Members of The Farm were committed to living sustainably, and were often engaged in organic farming, alternative medicine, and other practices that reflected their commitment to environmentalism.
Today, The Farm remains an intentional community that emphasizes principles of social justice, environmental sustainability, and spiritual growth. Members of The Farm live together in a variety of communal living arrangements, sharing resources and supporting one another in a way that creates a unique atmosphere of closeness and cooperation. The community also emphasizes the value of meditation and prayer, with many members engaging in daily spiritual practice as a way to connect with themselves and the world around them.
In addition to its emphasis on communal living and spirituality, The Farm is also notable for its work in alternative medicine. The community has a strong focus on natural healing, and many of its members are trained in various forms of alternative medicine such as acupuncture and herbalism. There is also a health clinic on the premises, which provides affordable medical care to both residents of The Farm and the wider community.
While The Farm is certainly unique in its approach to communal living and alternative spirituality, it is also reflective of a broader cultural shift towards sustainability and social justice. The community’s focus on organic farming and natural healing, for example, are practices that are increasingly embraced by many Americans today. As such, The Farm represents not only a unique way of life, but also a potential model for sustainable living that is rooted in principles of compassion, respect for the earth, and collective action.
In conclusion, America’s largest hippie commune, The Farm, has a rich history and continues to thrive as a unique community that emphasizes principles of sustainability, spirituality, and social justice. Its commitment to communal living and alternative medicine reflects a cultural shift towards more holistic and compassionate ways of being, and serves as a model for those seeking to live in harmony with both themselves and the environment. Whether or not one is called to live at The Farm, its values and practices are worth considering as we work towards a more sustainable and equitable future.
