Friday, July 25, 2014

How To Live The Utopian Life

By Sharron Cantu


Life in America is a dream to some, a reality to others. Whether or not an individual can claim to live the utopian life depends on a number of factors beyond shared housing. Utopia requires a peaceful, kind and loving group of individuals, all of whom desire to live a perfect existence and have passion for a well defined purpose.

The word, first coined by Sir Thomas More for his book describes a fictional island in the Atlantic Ocean. More recently, the term has been used to describe intentional living communities. While it does not require a village, it certainly helps when individuals can share in a peaceful, loving and kind community.

In the late 1960s and early 1970s, a number of communes existed all over the United States. Many on the east and west coasts housed individuals who shared chores, cooking, cleaning, gardening and worked to provide others in need. Today the focus on these intentional communities seems to be more on shared baby and pet-sitting than shared chores and food. Regardless, the other aspects of sex, drugs and rock and roll have also been removed from earlier times.

The word is of Greek origin and means "no place." An interesting meaning one considers that the meaning of the word and the old adage, "no place is perfect." Plato's Republic's paradise is most likely the earliest reference to this lifestyle in print. Some of these earliest forms placed like minded individuals within a single community so as to blend similar interest and retain a sense of peace in society.

When it comes to ecological concerns, there are many aspects of this so called perfect life that can be of assistance. Ecological aspects can also be a source for inspiration. Whether for green political movements in the future, or cleaning up the environment today, those living a Utopian lifestyle are far more likely to actively work to clean up rather than destroy the planet.

Several ideas arose related to this lifestyle in the early 19th century. These ideas included those of capitalism and commercialism. After which, a number of communes, intentional communities and other shared living situations arose all over the nation. One reason this lifestyle is so appealing is that individuals often barter or contribute equally when it comes to rent and other household costs.

In some ways, college dorms might fit the profile of utopian society. In other ways, not even close. The often obnoxious, loud and boisterous ways of college has a way to eliminate the utopian concept. Whereas, to live a life that is utopian is to live a life that is peaceful simplicity in harmony with life and nature.

A good fictional example is Andromeda (1957) a film in which a united human race communicates with a Great Circle to develop a perfect technological culture within a social network. The basic premise is that the right individuals can build an intentional community of peaceful, kind and loving people which can last a lifetime. One of the most important aspect of a successful living situation is the ability of all residents to co-exist in a peaceful manner regardless of differences of opinion.




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