East Wind Community

[PascoDoug]

Has anyone heard of the East Wind Community in Missouri?

Apparently it's a mostly self sufficient commune run by a group of free spirited folks. I'm not sure they consider themselves nudists but nudity is definately part of their way of life.

Check out their home website at:

http://www.eastwind.org/

There's a story about them on the National Geographic Website here:

http://plasma.nationalgeographic.com/ngm/0508/feature7/index.html


Looks like an interesting bunch! They're also looking for new members. I am honestly tempted to inquire about joining them!

[PascoDoug]

Has anyone heard of the East Wind Community in Missouri?

Apparently it's a mostly self sufficient commune run by a group of free spirited folks. I'm not sure they consider themselves nudists but nudity is definately part of their way of life.

Check out their home website at:

http://www.eastwind.org/

There's a story about them on the National Geographic Website here:

http://plasma.nationalgeographic.com/ngm/0508/feature7/index.html


Looks like an interesting bunch! They're also looking for new members. I am honestly tempted to inquire about joining them!

[jon71]

Seems cool. I especially liked the bit where the daughter of the only woman who wore swimsuits was "ah mom you're embarrassing me". How great is that.

[Buff Man in MI]

I like the concept. I have often felt that "the land" has been tugging at me. I like the way they work. I HATE being tied to a set schedule. I think I'd feel much better physically and psychologically if I could set my own schedule. I am becoming more and more of an insomniac, so if I put my 40 hours in all in one go then take the rest of the week off, that should be good, right? I snipped a rather long off-topic rant about my current job.

I'd like to visit them. Right now though, joining them would be a BIG committment. I don't exactly like the idea of giving away my life savings. At least not while I am still alive.

[Centauri4]

I didn't see any story details, just a link to suscribe to National Geographic. Did I miss something?

[Jason Lee]

is nudity optional or required ?

[NudeAl]

A very nice looking place. I know of a couple like that in Oregon. I don't know if I have the discipline to live that way but I'm glad there are still places like this in our materialistic society. I would definatly visit though finding time to do so would be difficult.

[PascoDoug]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by Centauri4:
I didn't see any story details, just a link to suscribe to National Geographic. Did I miss something? </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

The link works for me..

But if you (or anyone else) can't find it on the website, the complete story is in this month's issue of NG.

[PascoDoug]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by Jason Lee:
is nudity optional or required ? </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

Optional.

They're not "nudists" though so clothing may be required in certain areas. I don't have enough info on the matter, really.

[Trailscout]

I like the concept of intentional communities and communal living, but not everyone is a good fit for every community.

Speaking in general terms, I dislike those communities that require that one surrender all personal assets earned prior to communal living. Should the community disband, you would have no savings for your senior years. I do not know if that is the case with East Wind.

Nudity is not physically possible at all times in the Missouri climate, it's just nice to know that this community is not hostile to the nude human body, and allows time and place for nudity.

Speaking of living communally, I'm having to do that temporarily since the lots aren't ready for use yet, and I'm too used to living alone. Maybe I moved here too soon, but I didn't want to be in Michigan through another winter. I'm used to having a whole refrigerator to myself instead of only one shelf. I'm used to having a whole freezer to myself instead of only one shelf. I'm not used to being told when I can or cannot use the computer. I'm trying hard not to offend others or infringe on their space and time, but it isn't easy when you're used to being alone and being able to what you want, when you want.

[missouriboy]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">I would definatly visit though finding time to do so would be difficult. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>I got the impression their invitation to visit was meant only for prospective recruits. They're not in the business of entertaining vacationers. Occasional nudity is maybe three percent of what they're about. Not about nudism whatsoever.

IOW, come visit only if you're a socialist/communist. Therefore, I won't be going near the place.

[Trailscout]

It looks like East Wind is down on private ownership and I can't agree with that.

Not all intentional communities ask people to give up their possessions for others to use as they please.

I have no problem with people pooling some of their resources to achieve a common goal. And communities organized around organic gardening, crafts, faith or some binding commonality is fine with me too.

[oldbob]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">IOW, come visit only if you're a socialist/communist. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

Or if you're one of those Christians like the ones we read about in the second chapter of the book of Acts, verses 44 and 45: "All who believed were together and had all things in common; they would sell their possessions and goods and distribute the proceeds to all, as any had need."

It's funny how we Christians sometimes forget some of these little details in the Bible.

[missouriboy]

Yes, I was unaware of those verses, but they do describe exactly what I meant by "communist:" communal living with common ownership of all benefits. There's no reason why Christians couldn't do this too, which I surmise IS the case at East Wind COMMUNity.

[oldbob]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Yes, I was unaware of those verses, but they do describe exactly what I meant by "communist:" communal living with common ownership of all benefits. There's no reason why Christians couldn't do this too, which I surmise IS the case at East Wind COMMUNity. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

I agree. The Shaker communities were an example of Christian communal living.

I do view voluntary small scale communal living such as the East Wind Community practices far differently from Marxist derived forced large scale communism.

Bob

[Trailscout]

We live in a very expensive capitalistic society. The social safety net is not strong enough for me to trust the government to take care of me after I give up my life savings to a commune that might then go bankrupt. If you are elderly, don't have children or younger relatives to take you in after such a fiasco, why risk turning over your life savings to the commune?

Christian communism involved an element of risk to those who chose to participate, but at least people pooled their resources within the catholic church and not some individual organization. In addition, if persecution dispersed the church and their savings were lost, presumeably many widows and other indigents could move in with relatives or find churches in nearby communities who could offer charity.

[Naturist Mark]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by missouriboy:

IOW, come visit only if you're a socialist/communist. Therefore, I won't be going near the place. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

They are very much capitalist entrepeneurs. They operate their community as an extended family, but participate in the local and national economy no different from any other corporation.

-Mark

[missouriboy]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by Naturist Mark:
They are very much capitalist entrepeneurs. They operate their community as an extended family, but participate in the local and national economy no different from any other corporation.

-Mark </div></BLOCKQUOTE>...and...<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">I do view voluntary small scale communal living such as the East Wind Community practices far differently from Marxist derived forced large scale communism. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>Yes, I agree it's hugely different. Two main things:
1. Marxist/USSR communism was Godless by diktat. The government was god.
2. East Wind (and any others in the free world) are still under the same government laws as their neighbors, and the participants have free choice to join or not.

[PascoDoug]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by Naturist Mark:
They are very much capitalist entrepeneurs. They operate their community as an extended family, but participate in the local and national economy no different from any other corporation. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

Very true.. according to their website they earn $500,000 per year selling homemade craft and food items. Their rope sandals are very popular, apparently

[shãybare]

http://clothesfreeforums.com/groupee_common/emoticons/icon_cool.gif
Patience, my friend, Patience. I understand your frustration, having been there. It won't be long before you will be able to settle in to your own place.

Always my best to you, Jon-Marc.
---------------------------------------------

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by Jon-Marc:
Speaking of living communally, I'm having to do that temporarily since the lots aren't ready for use yet, and I'm too used to living alone. Maybe I moved here too soon, but I didn't want to be in Michigan through another winter. I'm used to having a whole refrigerator to myself instead of only one shelf. I'm used to having a whole freezer to myself instead of only one shelf. I'm not used to being told when I can or cannot use the computer. I'm trying hard not to offend others or infringe on their space and time, but it isn't easy when you're used to being alone and being able to what you want, when you want. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>