Clean Laundry IAN SCHNEIDER

Staff laundry facilities at Omega recently received an infusion of new energy and dedication from our own People and Culture department, thanks to the initiative of P&Cs Matt Carpenter and Float Department Manager Kristin DeFilippo and floats Ben, Ian, Gabi, and Sarah (known internally as the B.I.G.S.). The most noticeable change for all to see is the new paint. After a brief meeting, the group perceived how dark the room was. New colors were chosen and many Omegans have commented on how wonderful it is to have a brighter laundry room. Thanks to the maintenance department for installing a fresh bank of six foot florescent bulbs as well as changing the porch light outside. The most recent change is the addition of Laundry Label cards. These brightly colored cards now hang near the dryer by the door, along with 2 dry erase markers. These cards are intended to be labeled with a name and any special notes that may include such gems as OK to dry, or don't touch my laundry on pain of death. Further, the cards are designed to be moved with each load of laundry, ensuring that people know whose laundry is in which machine. (This is to avoid the inevitable opening of every dryer in search of a load.) Additional changes currently under consideration are the repositioning of the furniture and the addition of a wooden, five-foot by four-foot corner bench, by Mike from our Maintenance Department. In addition to the anticipated bench, Mike has installed a hand-crafted bench outside, adjacent to the clothesline. (At present, two wonderful lawn chairs have found their way to the laundry room, a temporary donation from the Childrens Program.) For the 2013 season, P&C is planning to have a laundry float shift five days a week. A sink is an anticipated addition that they hope to install over the winter season.

The Omega Point

ISSUE 1 OCTOBER 2012
1 1 2 2 3 3 4 4 5 6 Clean Laundry Instant CommunityJust Add You! Come On, Comme Un Heard It Through the Grapevine Uncoupled Somethings Happening Here 20 Things to Do at Omega . . . Jack of All Trades Over the Rainbow Ask Tobi, the Oracle Stone

Until then, laundry floats are being scheduled for the laundry room, as time permits. Their purpose is to help educate people about doing laundry, thus preserving the functional lifespan of the machines. Additionally, floats are helping to process laundry by moving loads from one machine to the next during the busier hours, to ensure that the maximum amount of people can do their wash in a timely fashion. As the changes to our laundry room progress, we can expect better service in a better atmosphere. Sadly, the season is coming to an end just as these changes are being implemented. That being said, I certainly look forward to returning next year and enjoying the positive alterations, thanks to People and Culture.

Instant Community - Just Add You! REBECCA KISCH

Hello Community! With all these like-minded people talking about what theyre going to do next, we started wondering what would happen if everyone who was interested pooled their resources and set out to continue living the life theyve dreamed. We only made enough surveys to get feedback from a small fraction of the Omega staff community, but even so, we managed to get some amazing results. If we formed an intentional village right now with the people who responded to our survey, wed be working with a spirited group of motivated people who would be willing and able to joyfully contribute everything from culinary skills, management experience and equipment repair to child care, maintenance expertise, and art. Wed have at least one musician, healer, plumber, prep chef, networker, activist, and permaculture gardener, plus two people who could definitely work with chickens. Wed also have people who could do electrical installation, wood framing, and development grounds work. 1

The Omega Point is a staff-to-staff newsletter conceived and compiled by Omega seasonal staff participants of the Intentional Village L.S.W. It has been established as a medium to support a community culture of intentionality through dialogue and inquiry. Its content does not necessarily express the views or opinions of Omega Institute. Teilhard de Chardins The Phenomenon of Man describes the omega point as a supreme point of consciousness in the universe that is "pulling" or drawing all creation towards it. It has also been interpreted as the logical conclusion of our striving towards higher levels, by mathematical physicist Frank J. Tipler.

Lys Swan, EDITOR Ian Schneider, ASSISTANT EDITOR Brett Bevell, STAFF ADVISOR

In addition to this assortment of skill shares, our start-up village would have a blender, a camera, a bunch of books, two cars, and a 4x4 tractor not to mention an eight-acre organic farm in Louisiana and 180-acres of farmable land in upstate New York. The total cumulative funding wed have, based on everyones realistic contribution is estimated at $18,400. Now, to me, this really sounds like a winning combination of resources; any group with this kind of diversity and supply would be off to a really solid start. The question, of course, is how do all these people, with all their individual aspirations, unify and get along? This is a tricky question thats not easily answered, and the answer is dependent on the unique combination of people involved. But based on our survey, it seems we can easily come to a consensus about certain, fundamental values, right off the bat. Heres a list of the top six values the communitarians we surveyed found to be most important: sustainability honesty integrity accountability holism creativity As well as values, respondents listed the following keywords to describe what they were looking for in their search for community: respect, privacy, activism, justice, heart, simplicity, harmony, joy, trust, kindness, commitment, good food, motivation, work ethics, organization, communication, and group decision-making. So many of us want the same things out of life. Can we unify?

There are no right answers to such questions, except what you believe. But by asking such questions, one begins to initiate the process of awakening to awareness. Breaking down our mental structures is hard, but being asleep all your life is harder still. Living in community offers one a chance to evolve. In French, the word commune, commun, can also be interpreted as comme un, which means as one. In community, we are independent individuals living in a family, like drops in the ocean, like snowflakes in the snow. We choose to evolve in this environment to fulfill our true potential, to be a creator in the world instead of a follower. Some might think that being in community is therapy, camp, a spiritual path, a job or a social experience. It can be all those things. However, what community really is is engagement. I am living in community now as a protest against the system. I am here now because I choose to be a better person. My awareness makes me powerful. Most of the worlds intentional communities have in common their ideals of connection, respect and attentiveness to every living being. I call this love. This is why community is a safe place to find our light and to let it shine. Our mission is to keep that light shining in the world outside, too, and hopefully encourage people to shine with us. Something led each of us to this community. That is a sign that were in the process of becoming who we really are. So when it comes to finding our dreams, dont worry. Our feet already know the way.

Heard It Through the Grapevine LYS & TONY SWAN

Come On, Comme Un GEORGIA CLERC

At some point in every persons life, she will be faced with fundamental existential questions: Who am I? Whats my dream? How do I respect my desires and listen to them? Why am I even doing here on this planet, in this universe? Why am I breathing? And why do I have to die?

Conversation encompasses a wide range of exchanges, with its furthest points being pro-social communication on one end and rumor-mongering on the other. Rumor and gossip are two types of

informal grapevine communication systems used to spread information, both accurate and not. These networks can be used to form social bonds, to influence opinion, and to enforce cultural standards and agreements. Gossips positive elements include the maintenance of social order and filling in the blanks of information flow. Its negative side effects can be slander, misinformation, and groupthink. Grapevine communication is a daily staple of community living and often an important channel for community news. Are there ways to develop a social communication system (SCS) that encourages honesty, truth, and clarity? Can we share and chat without escalating fear and speculation? How can we encourage healthy and helpful conversation in community? The best way to enjoy grapes from the grapevine is to choose to not participate in speculation. A certain degree of questioning is healthy and natural, but when it turns into a continuous loop, the energy which may have been used for factfinding or solutions is dissipated. When were tempted to speculate, we can remember that this is where we live, and that we individually and collectively co-create the culture and environment. We should consider that what we express outwardly will be churned around and given back to usthough we may not recognize it at the time. As this energy travels through the community and builds momentum, our words and thoughts become intertwined with the fabric of community and either enhance or degrade social bonds. Whenever we recognize that we are at a point of choice in a conversation, whenever we have an opportunity to add to or take away from an honest accounting, this is the time to pause and take a breath. This may be as simple as recognizing there is no one absolute perspective or answer but more likely a myriad of framings and viewpoints. When the truth is unknown, we always have the choice of simply being present. And 2

In that presence, compassion, not judgment, is what sustains individuals and allows communities to thrive. Community needs to be a safe and respectful container for everyone. We are each caretakers of our community grapevine. Lets prune any thoughts of confusion and derisiveness, trim ego-attachments, and water this vine with understanding and empathy. The fruit of connection can be sweeter when tended with honesty and kindness.

together. I would encourage other couples that might have similar restrictions to try it some summer. You and your significant other will be richer for it.

that everyone will be the teacher and the student. This event will most likely be at the end of October, and people at Omega interested in participating are more than welcome!
WEBSITE: www.arc38.org. Send an email to: rkisch8@gmail.com if you want to get involved.

Somethings Happening Here Communities Rising REBECCA KISCH

Arc38 Wassaic, NY Arc38 started as a result of the explosive momentum built by Occupy Wall St. It is located in Wassaic, NY, about 30 miles North of Omega. The 180 acres of, more or less, uncultivated farm and mountain land is owned by an old peace activist couple who are committed to their vision of a better world. They have opened up the land for use by motivated activists and visionaries from all over to come and share their skills, work the land, learn about community, and build something sustainable for the future. Since April, there has been a core group of about 15 individuals who have been centrally involved in the projects that are up and coming at the place. In addition to these folks, an ever-varying influx of interested parties (mostly from New York City), is a constant at the Arc. The land is truly beautiful, and the people involved are very committed to their visions. They are some of the hardest working people I have ever encountered. The land now boasts two thriving organic gardens which produce much of the food that feeds the people who stay there. In the long run, the community members hope to transform the property into a hands-on learning center where people can come to gain knowledge about how to live a sustainable, holistic, and community-based lifestyle in accordance with the ideals of the emerging agea universal time which a founding member has aptly named, the Ancient Future. A Fall Harvest Healing Festival is currently being planned by Arc38s core group. The general vision is a weekend with lots of healing classes, lectures, ceremonies, walks in the woods, sauna baths, etc. The idea is

Uncoupled LYNNE WESTMORELAND

This is not your usual uncoupled experience. My spouse, Linda, and I were both uncoupled at Omega this summer. Because we have five companion animals, two homes and many jobs between us, we could not both leave to do a seven week service stint at the same time. So Linda did the first seven week session, and I did the third. It was an incredibly rich time for both of us. While it did get lonely at times, and we really missed being together, it was also a lovely experience to connect on the phone, email or Facebook each day. Because we had each been at Omega for service, it was an enriched experience for us both. Since we knew exactly what the job entailed (we were both in Guest Services) and all of the physical locations and activities we were both a part of, our conversations had the added bonus of allowing us to live vicariously through the others experience.

The Green Bus Tour New York, NY New York City is a thriving hub for an amazing community of musicians, artists, healers, seers, activists, visionaries, and magical people in general. Few people have been able to harness the power and energy of these people by guiding them into a unified community like Charlie G, founder of the Green Bus Tour, has been able to. Several years ago, he purchased an old yellow school bus, much in the spirit of Ken Kesey and the Merry Pranksters, and revamped it. The school bus which is now green as a symbol of its eco-friendly fuel and heart chakra resonance runs on waste vegetable oil from local restaurants. Heres a little information about what the Green Bus does, taken from their website:
The Green Bus serves the community in three distinct ways: --By helping organize and providing transportation to retreats, workshops, conscious nightlife and other events hosted by affiliate organizations. --By featuring valuable articles, media, profiles and interviews with our affiliate organizations and sponsors, and a crosspromotional events calendar, our website will serve as an online community evolution resource center. --By co-creating events that bring conscious programs and performance to the greater community in and around NYC, the northeast, and the world. The community of individuals involved in the Green Bus Tour is a truly Inspired groupand growing every day. 3

Linda and I would like to do volunteer service at Omega together at some point in time. But until our lives and other responsibilities allow that, enjoying such a rich community one at a time will remain a fun and viable way of experiencing Omega

If you are ever in NYC, I highly recommend attending one of their weekly community potlucks or local events.
WEBSITE: www.greenbustour.com

20 Things to Do Before You Leave Omega SARAH SCHUMACHER (SCHU)

Jack of All Trades A Week in the Life of a Float IAN SCHNEIDER

I've been asked by people off campus what it is to be a float. There are many ways I could use simile and metaphor, but neither of those vehicles will accurately describe the experience. Both leave a rather general, abbreviated description that will be incomplete at best. In lieu of such artistic prose, the float position may best be summed up by reading an entire week of my journal entries about the experience. Day 1 - Production: Today I've been assigned to production crew. I'm fairly new here, so I really don't have any idea what is going on. There are people with charts, and everyone is divided up into teams. Apparently, they have this thing where all the team names share a common theme and everyone is supposed to guess what that theme is. I'm here because this is what we call a transition day. New participants are coming, and there will be new workshops. This is what enables us to stay here and live the experience at Omega. I'll do my best to remember everyone's name, but I realize that I won't. We all circle up to do some group meditation and chanting of some sort. What have I gotten myself into? I follow this one guy around, and he instructs me to set up gym mats on the floor of the building we are in. They smell funny, so I get to scrub them down with a solution of tea tree oil and water. Then the mats are arranged to cover the floor. Next, my team is off to another building to put backjacks on zabutans (what the heck are those things?) in a circle. We set up and take down chairs, making things look neat and organized. Day 2 - FoodWorks: What is this cavernous space? I arrive for my shift, not really knowing who to talk to. I ask around a sea of Omega shirts, and they point me to a shift leader who informs me that I'll be in Jackson. It seems that this has nothing to do with pop stars or a road trip to Mississippi; rather its the 4

Unitribe New York, NY Unitribe Productions is the fruit of a collaborative effort between many high-vibrational New Yorkers who, for the past several years, have been creating a culture of sacred nightlife for the new age of ascendant consciousness. Their events usually coincide with significant astrological events, and those involved consistently hold space for people to gather, dance, meditate, and generally celebrate life in a way that is holistic and spirit-oriented. From high-vibe DJs, sacred sound healers, didgeridoos, and lots of heartfelt kirtan, to tribal markets, distinguished elders and teachers from all over the world, Unitribe really brings it all together for those who find their way to these events. Past notable events have included Dreamtime 2012, a mind-blowing, multi-sensory experience to mark the new year, and Lucid, an eight-part series which brought together the citys best healers, musicians, and artists to create a truly unique experience designed to awaken and illuminate all who participated. Most recently, the group was able to bring in a celebrated Mayan elder from Mexico to speak to the community about what shifts to expect as we move into this new age of awakened consciousness. As always, an inspirational spread of yogi-friendly food and sounds were provided to make the evening one to remember. As a result of these unique celebrations, a wonderful community of spiritually-minded people has formed in the city over the past few years, resulting in bigger and more extraordinary events. It is certainly worthwhile to check out one of Unitribes events and see the extraordinary things that can happen when extraordinary people get together.
WEBSITE: www.unitribeproductions.com

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Introduce yourself to the Grandmother Tree. Sauna. Make a friend from a different department. Try walking at night with no flashlight (or shoes). Go on a kayaking adventure. Nap in the sun on the hill in front of the dining hall after lunch. Make jewelry out of found objects in the woods. Write poetry at the Grandfather Tree. Relax in a hammock by the beach. Enjoy the novelty of VHS at the Longhouse. Cry. Deeply. Write down your dreams as soon as you wake up, and share them with anyone over some granola at breakfast. Massage your friend, massage yourself. Massage the soil, a tree, a chipmunk. Feel. Watch a spider make a web. Create a sacred space in the woods or your room/tent, a place to snuggle down and feel grounded in. How about some sound healing? Walk around the lake with a friend. Play a board game at the caf on a Friday night, and laugh at how much fun you're havingdespite social expectations of what you "should" be doing on a Friday night! Meditate at the Sanctuary. Work hard. The person you are while working the hot line, or scrubbing toilets, or greeting participants is real and beautiful. Own it.

Remember that Omega is a vehicle of energy, a part of your journey, and a seriously amazing stepping stone. Live the time you spend here, love the people who touch you, and listen to the voice in your head that reminds you, "it's okaybecause she knows whats up!

name of the loud dishwasher that generates a lot of humidity. I've washed dishes before, I mean who hasnt? This is a different place, with different protocols. Lisa is in the back, and she shows me the gist of what to do. Mary comes back after her break. I'll be honest and say this is similar to almost every dish room I've ever worked in: It gets hot, has moments that are strenuous, moments that are lax. I'm plenty soaked by the end of the shift. My hands reek with the smell of uneaten food and dirty water. (It is a smell you'll never forget.) Later, I see Mary on campus. She says that she wants to see me back there more often. Best shift ever. Day 3 - Free Time! I totally have a day off today. There are all sorts of things I can experience and learn about here. I wake up at my leisure, which these days is 7:30 a.m.! I look forward to having as much of a day as I can here at Omega. With so many classes offered, there is always something I can find to do: yoga, meditation, workshops that may change your life in a day, outings with friends, time in the Art Hut, or even just sitting in the cafe doing a whole lot of nothing. I've discovered the best way to spend a day off is to simply see where your feet take you. Omega has a way of putting you in the right place at the right time, meeting the exact person you need to see. I decide I'm going to take a walk along The Path. Day 4 Housekeeping/Campus Support: My mission for the day is to assist Housekeeping and then move to Campus Support. I walk down to the housekeeping/maintenance shed, looking for the one person I know from game night. I stay close to her. I've been arbitrarily assigned to a group of women whom I've never met, but who seem to get on quite well with each other (having been here together for the full season or even over multiple years). Despite my previous experience in working at youth hostels, I am compelled to learn how to make bedsagain, sigh (because every place does it differently). I swallow any shred of

pride I may have had and humbly accept what they tell me to be their truth. I work fast, but these girls smoke me in the bed-making department. I try hard to remind myself that they've been doing this for a while. Having finished early, I'm off to Campus Support. My friend is there, but she's not in the best of spirits today. It happens. I'm directed to the first platform, greeting people and taking luggage. There is a lot to remember at Omega, and they have a system I've got to learn. I'm sure that I'll be back in this job again, so best to recall as much as I can.

Day 5 - Caf: Reporting to the Caf for the closing shift, I am sporting my Omega T-shirt and head covering, as required. I walk into what seems to be the social heart of Omega. I've seen these people around for a couple of days now, but now I get to learn at least a few more names and people. Being scheduled until 12:30 a.m. is a bit rough, but I take refuge in knowing that this is not an every day event. The busy periods come and go. On occasion, I find that I've already completed all the work expected of me and then some. I've sliced turkey, washed every dish I could, taken out the compost, wiped tables, refilled the ice chest, checked the coffee carboys innumerable timesyeah, I even have time to chat with friends, new and otherwise. This shift is a mix of work and being social, similar to working in the kitchen, but in a more public space. Closing involves bumping some tunes, the cafistas (the wonderful ladies that work here) dance while they sweep and mop. When the place is clean, I'm off to bed. Day 6 - The Garden: Well, this is a rare treat. I'm working in the Garden with Pam. This shift is a treasured

gem. I report to the garden shed; Pam tells me what to donice and simple. I'm moving compost from a pile and delivering it into neat mounded rows in the garden space. Ah, the smell of fresh earth, the joy of manual labor. Before doing the third row, I weed. Kneeling on the ground, using a short hand hoe, I gently lift the volunteer plants out of the soil, disposing of the rapidly wilting matter into a compost bucket. Suddenly, we are on another project, heading off to the OCSL to retrieve bags of potting soil. Riding in the cart is all kinds of fun, soil in tow. With the weeding done, we start organizing spaces around the shed, sorting through relics of past seasons. I'll treasure this shift, the memories, and the friendship. Day 7 - Special Assignment: Today, I've volunteered for a special shift. I find that we make our own opportunities here, and now I get to drive some faculty around as a shuttle driver for the OWLC. (Yeah, I'm starting to understand the Omega alphabet soup.) Unbeknownst to me, I'm in a car with four women who are changing the world by educating women in crisis zones around the world. They speak of working in such places as the Swat Valley of Pakistan and in female repressive regimes. I get a chance to practice my foreign language skills, only to find out that while serious about their work, these women are, in fact, humanbetter yet, they are hilarious! I could never have dreamed up this kind of work in my wildest imagination. It is good to be a float. There are so many unexpected moments that change your world. I am looking forward to seeing what next week brings.

Over the Rainbow GERARD DELESQUE

My first experience of intentional community was when I lived in a big house in the suburbs of Paris in the early 80s. We were a group of 120 people from all around the world a Native American who was in exile in France. After a couple of years of research on alternative possibilities, 5

We created organic whole foods coops (15 in Paris and its surrounding suburbs), a web of more than 2,500 clients buying from certain bakeries, restaurants, factories and shops, etc. We were living like a tribe, in tepees, and had several camps in Noisy-leGrand, Meaux, and Rambouillet, and played music around the fire. In March 1984, our project was to leave everything and travel the world by foot. I had a bad car accident and couldnt join the tribe at that time. It took me a while to get back on my feet, but I eventually fell in love with a Swedish woman and followed her to a little island between Sweden and Finland. Thats when I discovered the Rainbow Family. We were on a deserted island with no water and no electricityonly purple lightning! Two hundred and fifty people were baking crepes on a fire, singing and dancing, sharing what was in their hearts, in big circles. It was a real discovery for me! Since 1987, I have experienced many Rainbow gatherings on various continents. What became important for me was to create a powerful Rainbow community in France. And so we gathered. Year after year, those nights around the fire created magical moments between us. We became a family.

they are seeing that a new world is possible. Intentional community is based on a quality of life that values intelligence as well as emotionality; that favors loving, healthy ways of sharing. Certainly, there are many responsibilities that weigh on us when we live in community. Still, a real change in scenario is needed. We have to find solutions based on simplicity and intelligent lifestyles, to find better way of handling our needs. Time cant be a prison anymore, and money cant be used to

pressure or humiliate. We need to relearn how to live together with joy. But its only possible in a collective mode.
Gerard Delesque is a Rainbow organizer in France. You can follow him on twitter at delesque gerard @ gerardrainbow.

Ask Tobi: The Oracle Stone

Dear Tobi: Im living in community, and lovin most of it. But even surrounded by all these kind and gentle souls, I still feel alone, isolated, and disconnected sometimesand I like being alone sometimes. Is this normal? This community has over 200 people in it. Should I be worried that maybe I dont fit into community? What can I do to feel more connected? Alone Dear Alone (But Liking It Sometimes): This is a completely normal and common response to living in community. Often, I hear this question or read it on peoples faces. By contacting me, The Oracle Stone, you are already weaving a web of community by reaching out and having a conversation. This balance between connection and healthy solitude happens in all shapes and sizes of community, and can be especially poignant in larger ones like yours. Though there is power in numbers, there also can be a sense of disconnection, a sense of being lost, and, for sure, a feeling of being ungrounded. My advice (and I do try to follow it myself) is to seek out connection. You will find your people, discover your mini-tribe within this larger milieu. Over time, youll build a core group of buddies, and then expand from thereif you choose to. These smaller, more intimate connections will support your unique offerings to the community; as your pod of peeps gets to know your special interests and personality better, you will discover more opportunities to connect. (Even your quirks will be connection points!) You may travel among these mini-tribes, or satellite communities, allowing for a range of connections and support. So find your people, form connection where you feel the most authentic, and grow from there. Please know that what you are experiencing is what we all experience from time to time living in community. As your personal needs for both connection and solitude synch up with the larger dynamic, you may feel affirmed, confused, delighted and annoyedall before breakfast! Even when you find your place, it will change and shift as your inner and outer work progresses. Who you are becoming will always be reflected through all the myriad facets of community life. Best wishes, Tobi Tobi the Oracle Stone (or Tobias Antonius, as the Romans named him) is an ancient Stone Person who has made his home near the Omega campus for many centuries. A gifted prophet with a smooth, round head and sleepy smile, Tobias is happy to take requests for guidance and prophesy through his rock handler, herbalist and smooth-head enthusiast Tony Swan. (Consultations are by appointment only, weather permitting.)

Those Rainbow gatherings helped me to understand the real meaning of living in the present moment. They made me question my routines, habits, and beliefs. They made me question my toxic relationships with family, friends and romantic partners, as well. They were re-evolutionary! When young people come to their first rainbow, I can always see the hope in their eyes. They are perceiving new possibilities for living;