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Asheville Wannabees The other day a friend stopped by and said he was going to leave the area, after being here since 1992. He's a member of the fast-growing metaphysical community. He said he had been here some 14 years ago, and it was different...He claims there are simply too many "wannabes" in Asheville with no desire for community. What he said made sense. There is really is no genuine community of a "social" nature in the Asheville area among the new paradigm people. At least not in the traditional sense. When you ask anyone why they continue to stay here, many barely getting by financially, the answer is always the same, "It's these mountains."
The
recent demise of the Asheville Resource Center (ARC) in West Many over the past years, such as Loy Young, Robbin Dunn, Matthew Stinger, Mary Silva and others have sought to form a unified body. The Chamber of Consciousness still remains only a name since it was formed back in 1992. While the financial control of this city, and surrounding 50 mile radius is still clearly in the reins of the good 'ole boys, (with a few carpet-baggers for sure) this area's conscious community is not about money. While the "illuminati," in one form or another, is still with us, we can, and are making the transformation by our attitude. The old form is a part of the decaying paradigm. We can assist its departure, not by looking at the problem, but simply by looking at the opportunity. The opportunity to be a solid community, by simple being a great loving neighbor. Let your vigilance be for awareness and love. Remember, not everyone likes cherry-vanilla or chocolate! Let us honor the differences. The new community here, like new age communities all over the world, have little pockets of communities, sometime a few close friends. We are here to experience ourselves in community however, and that community is the entire area! We Are a Very Special Community. We know who we are. We meet at the Food Co-op, at Earth Fare, Bean Street's, the Spirit in the Smokies Network gatherings, at potlucks, the new Dance Home, Jubilee, Unity and elsewhere. Each time we meet we are given a gift of potential friendship and all the community we need. Sometimes we seem to run into each other many times in a short time. Each time we are given this special gift to create community in the here and now. Sure, some people need even more closeness, and want to make a difference, like the folks at Earthaven near Black Mountain. So they choose to live near each other, close together. There are these clusters. Others chose to be hermits and reclusive. If that is their choice, they too are a part of it all... Hey, folks. We are together. In fact by forming a "special" tribe we set up a potential "us" and "them." The Transformation of the Planet is About US! Sure, Asheville has its fundamentalists and Republicans, as well as it pot-smoking liberals, a thriving metaphysical and gay population, artists and yes, real estate speculators. And on the surface most are quick to say they belong to one "group," and want no part of another. Fact is, spiritually, mentally and physically we are all part of the same "group." We (even those who may have arrived yesterday) are the people of this magical, illustrious mountain area with a rich history of dynamic energy. We share the same streets, air and energy. Some are students, some teachers, others fit into no category, and some are couch potatoes and mall-dwellers. For those those who say they are here for it is a spiritual place, I invite you to see the wonderful learning experience we are given in this small town. A chance to really love everyone. A chance to experience the true community of this town... So, if you want community, simply be it.... J. Charles Banks, Editor |
Asheville is an example of how the old form of community, or intentional
community, may not be what's a happening in Asheville.