The Joy Project: Hippie Roots
posted by Charley Wininger | March 15, 2010
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IcerocketI recall sitting on a stoop on E. 10th Street in 1969 with my hippie buddies (we called each other “freaks” then; an affectionate term we gave ourselves which stemmed from the derogatory way the straights referred to us). It was summertime and the big wave of hippiedom had come and gone from the city by then. Suddenly a freak comes by, takes one look at us, and opens up his leather satchel.
“Just scored some Panama Red! Can you use some?” Just as I was about to explain we were broke, he handed us each a handful. And walked off! We smoked it in his honor. And I -- as you see, over 40 years later-- never forgot it.
Hippiedom, no matter what you might have been told about it (or, if you were alive at that time, no matter what you might think of it now) was surely a radical idea. We could all argue about whether it was ultimately a good or bad thing, but one thing’s for sure: It shook things up! And one reason was that at its essence was this ideal of Radical Generosity.
Why Woodstock worked was because of this spirit. It wasn’t just because there was good music and lots of weed and acid and people got laid. (Ok, I guess that didn’t hurt.) But if you think that was all it was about you miss the point!
What made this event was the rain, the togetherness, the spirit of giving: The management opening the gates and letting the concert become free; throwing beers from the stage; sharing your food and your dope and your vibes and whatever else you had. The blurring of where “I” ended and “you” began. Giving it all away because we don’t got much anyway except each other. Giving because there is no “them” at all, but only us here. My brothers helping me out because I’m one of them. My sisters loving me because we’re of the same tribe.
Living for me over here, and you living for you over there, is a pain-inducing illusion. Hippidom (at its best) was a way to forget the pathology of separation that had been forced upon us, and to re-imagine we’re one people again like it was in the beginning.
This isn’t radical generosity so much as life like it’s supposed to be lived. This is building heaven from the earth up.
And hippies – with all their faults -- instinctively knew that joy is a dish best served given.
Comments
Everything old is new again
— Mar 15, 2010
I like what you're doing with the Joy Project, Charley. This post made me think: gee, it only took what, about 35 years from that point until we started seeing a wave of free hug demonstrations thanks to YouTube. I've done that myself now a few times (and posted videos). As the Stones said "oh, what a beautiful buzz."
Peace,
Dave
www.ManifestPositivity.org
Right On!
— Mar 15, 2010
Right On, Charlie!
The only way to move from here is through giving, giving, giving. I hope we (meaning our society) can finally start to to see that a spirit of abundance is so much more liberating than a spirit of scarcity.
Blessed Be, my Brother!
Thank YOU, brother!
— Mar 17, 2010
We're in an ongoing battle between the forces of generosity and the forces of fear, which is what the "spirit of scarcity" is based upon.
the spirit of giving
— Mar 15, 2010
it is so simple and yet so profound. thank you for sharing your insights.
i could not agree more that generosity, compassion and understanding of our fellow human beings is key. i try and live every day with that in mind, creating random acts of kindness and beauty when and where i can. (my mum always said i was born 25 years too late! lol!) the hippies certainly did shake things up in a more poignant way than any other radical group previously had. it is my hope that now, together with everyone who still lives by the joy principle, we can finally bring the change that we all want to see.
namaste.
Krisztina
"Love is all that is"
— Mar 15, 2010
"Sometimes you benefit from another souls journey, but often you choose to experience things for yourself. When you become part of a group consciousness, then you shall benefit from every soul that is part of it. Sharing is a very spiritual gesture that comes with awakening to the Oneness of all life. We love to share with you for the happiness it gives us and being of service to you."
feel ya brother
— Mar 17, 2010
I went to a music festival last year for the second time in my life (volunteered at bonnaroo) and the sense of community and good vibes I received from my fellow humans was beyond incredible. I didn't intend to mooch, but I ended up only spending 10 bucks for weed the entire weekend, as everyone I talked to ended up smoking me down without me asking...i wish more people could experience the power that is within all of us, that sense of joy and creative love that can make your soul stronger as a result of being touched by it.
i often lament not being able to be there for the birth of the psychedelic/love culture, but then instead of lamenting...i get excited. Something is going to happen as a result of, well, humanity. And when the shit hits the fan, society at large will look to the people who have spiritual answers and perhaps the knowledge for a better way. i hate to say that things will get worse before they get better, but we can continue planting our seeds of consciousness...that power may be small, but it can have and immense impact on a person's life
Amen!
— Mar 17, 2010
I totally agree. Take away all of the material aspects of the movement, you did have that essence of unconditional generosity and kindness at its core. I wasn't around to live it but I'm glad that people of your generation are around to remind us youngin's of the sweetness and joy that we're all in the process of getting back. Thank you!
Matt Canale
Great post
— Mar 19, 2010
I'm also too young to have experienced the hayday of "hippiedom", but I have to say that during that time, many seeds were planted that are still germinating today. The love that was shared back then was never destroyed, for it lives in the hearts of those today who wish to live in a peaceful, balanced society. The movements of the 60s, although insufficient, have effected our world forever. The Dark powers in our world will never be able to completely wipe away the radical changes that took place due to the 60s counterculture. I believe that what happened back then was a foreshadowing of what is to come in the future, a tremor if you will. It was a mini spiritual renaissance...in essense a preview of what is still to come. This is, at least, my prayer.
The 1960s is alive and well...within our hearts and spirits.
