SOCIAL EXPERIMENT
For those that have followed me online, you will know that I have been creating interventions for over 13 years, questioning the status quo. These interventions have been a series of ongoing social experiments, although these experiments were lacking a goal. It feels like it is time to up the ante and explore a more ambitious social experiment.
KIBBUTZ REVIVAL EXPERIMENT –
RECOVERY COMMUNE
To use aspects of the kibbutz movement created in the 1950s at the beginning of creation of the Israeli state, and build on these aspects, creating intentional communities, based on common interests and values. The emphasis would be to move away from slavery to ego (addictions) towards mastery over body and mind.
The problem we face is that most of us in the West are cross addicted junkies, with addiction to food, alcohol, sugar, animal flesh, caffeine, nicotine, cannabis, cocaine, crack, opioids, amphetamines, gambling, sex, pornography, social media, gaming, drama (on or off screen) shopping, screens, work, exercise, negative thinking, (certain types of depression) approval, money and the most dangerous of all – power (over others)
The beast of a system thrives on profiting from our addictions, and therefore encourages addiction. In order to withdraw from the system, we need to have experience withdrawing from our addictions.
Being in a recovery program and sober with regards to one’s primary addiction, could be one common denominator which could facilitate this experiment, with the participants all desiring freedom from obsession and compulsion to anything with a commitment to service to others and the group, which in turn strengthens abstention from self-obsession and addiction.
Others may choose to experiment (live with) individuals who have some other common purpose.
I would like to explore an experiment here in the UK, finding some land (possibly with some farm already in place) and set up an alternative society based on mastery of body and mind, using many of the principles of the 12 step program. This might be suitable for those who have a minimum length of sobriety (to be agreed) who are active members of any kind of recovery program.
The purpose of the commune would be to support each others’ mastery (over body and mind) in all areas mentioned above, (including tech addiction) whilst developing practical ways to become increasingly self-sustaining. This would include growing food, harvesting water and generating energy. It may also involve taking care of some animals. In other words to wean ourselves off dependence on the system as much as possible.
The principles of the 12 step program are a great design for living, as is evidenced by the millions of people worldwide who have turned their lives around using the program.
We could in theory make exceptions for people who have no addictions or compulsions at all, although that is extremely rare in our society.
Those in recovery will be very familiar with the 12 traditions. These ‘traditions’ are principles which make up the foundation of the community.
Here are the traditions taken from Alcoholics anonymous.
Our common welfare should come first; personal recovery depends upon AA unity.
For our group purpose there is but one ultimate authority - a loving God as He may express Himself in our group conscience.
Our leaders are but trusted servants; they do not govern.The only requirement for AA membership is a desire to stop drinking.
Each group should be autonomous except in matters affecting other groups or AA as a whole.
Each group has but one primary purpose-to carry its message to the alcoholic who still suffers.
An AA group ought never endorse, finance or lend the AA name to any related facility or outside enterprise, lest problems of money, property and prestige divert us from our primary purpose.
Every AA group ought to be fully self-supporting, declining outside contributions.
Alcoholics Anonymous should remain forever nonprofessional, but our service centers may employ special workers.
AA, as such, ought never be organized; but we may create service boards or committees directly responsible to those they serve
Alcoholics Anonymous has no opinion on outside issues; hence the AA name ought never be drawn into public controversy.
Our public relations policy is based on attraction rather than promotion; we need always maintain personal anonymity at the level of press, radio and films.
Anonymity is the spiritual foundation of all our traditions, ever reminding us to place principles before personalities.
I am going to suggest the following adaptions to be used initially for the community. Later these can be amended.Our common welfare should come first; mastery and well-being depend upon community unity.
In our community, there is one ultimate authority – The powers of Love and wisdom as they may express themselves in our meetings. Our leaders are but trusted servants; they do not govern.
Our primary purpose is to stop being slaves to our desires and fears and to become masters of our bodies and minds.
We never endorse, finance or lend our name to any related facility or outside enterprise, lest problems of money, property and prestige divert us from our primary purpose.
We aim to be fully self-supporting, declining outside contributions.
We remain forever non-professional and treat each other like family. No trade between community members.
The community itself has no opinion on outside issues; hence our name ought never be drawn into public controversy.
Our public relations policy is based on attraction rather than promotion.
Anonymity is the spiritual foundation of all our traditions, ever reminding us to place principles before personalities.
We need always maintain personal anonymity at the level of press, radio and films and all other media of communication.
Tradition 5 as numbered above, can relate to growing our own food, sourcing our own water and generating our own power, however, this would be an evolving process.
The idea would be to experiment with a different way of living together, becoming less and less dependent on the system and on all the addictions it peddles. It would be a community committed to supporting each others’ well-being, including exercise, food, meditation etc
For many years, I have criticised the beast system and its agents for the part they play in the disfunctions in our society. I hope to create a short series of films to illustrate exactly HOW the PEOPLE behind the scenes together with those front of house, continue to commit terrible crimes, under the cover of fictions like governments and corporations.
Amongst the worst things these corporations do is encouraging addiction because it is so profitable. One obvious example of this is the food industry which is responsible for so much illness, misery and early death. Anyone in recovery is aware of the damage addictions can do, depending on the activity or substance. For the sake of this article and experiment, I am going to assume that those interested in exploring the experiment, understand that the system is highly toxic, and yet we have become addicted to its offerings. It is like a huge cult in which we are entrenched. I will also assume that over the past 2 years (or even before) you have become aware that almost ALL men and women in governments and almost all CEOs of major corporations want to usher the human race into a digital ID prison which is developing at lightning speed around us, and that in order to access the beast systems services, we will all need to surrender our freedom and live in a strange 1984 like dystopia. Just visiting the World Economic Forums’ website will give you some knowledge of their plans.
There is nothing I can do, as far as I am aware, to change their plans. So how should we respond to this growing technocracy?
Members of 12 step groups sometimes fantasize about politics and business being run on similar principles to the ones mentioned above. The benefits are great, as the program provides members with some great tools that they can use to wean themselves off their addictions, leaving so many with a sense of serenity and lots of energy to create a life beyond their wildest dreams. This experiment would be an attempt to create a community beyond our wildest dreams. A community of like-minded individuals who have already surrendered their egoic will to some degree and who rely on a power greater than themselves to guide them through their lives, helping them make wiser and more loving choices. The spiritual values of the community might include acceptance, faith, courage, honesty, patience, humility, willingness, brotherly-love, integrity, self-discipline, and service.
There will inevitably be differences in opinion and conflicts in any community. The beauty of the 12 step way of life is that members of any 12 step fellowship already have a host of fellows they can call upon (including their own personal mentor/sponsor) when those differences of opinion and conflicts arise, leaving the rest of the community to focus on developing the community and supporting its members, make healthy, wise and loving choices.
Constructive feedback is most welcome.