Counter Culture, Yeah Right!

[minds eye open]

Hey all. The sixties brought a generation of rebellion and awakening; a modern day renaissance. What a time it must have been to be alive, to be heard and seen, to love, expand, voice new opinions and ideas, and protest the injustices of the world.

The Second World War had been the fight of the fathers, a necessary evil to stop the spread of oppression and murder in Europe and across the world. The Vietnam War was very different, a politically driven farce and failed attempt at American domineerance in the east. The youth of the sixties refused to follow the corruption, and the use of illegal substances became the face of protest. I mean, why not? To rebell and feel good and new feelings at the same time, feelings that those who would send us to die deemed to be wrong. These youth were labeled as the counter culture.

This "Counter Culture", an oxymoron in every sense of the word, brought new music, art, poetry, and good and wholesome values of love and naturality. These youth were the true heroes of the age, opening the way for free speech and a previously dissident way of thinking that advanced our western countries. In my opinion, this was the very definition of culture.

I am not a political activist, nor a rhetorician, it is just that I can strongly identify with these values, as im sure everyone here can also.....

Vive la revolution....MEO

 

[Kash]

The 60's truely would have been a great time to live, indeed I wish I lived during that time. Perhaps I did live during that time who's to say? Lol just not this comprehensive current life. The beautiful music, movement for peace and love, strangers coming together. I share your sentiment.

One of my favorite quotes from woodstock (Sri Swami Satchidananda):
I am overwhelmed with joy to see the entire youth of America gathered here in the name of the fine art of music. In fact, through the music, we can work wonders. Music is a celestial sound and it is the sound that controls the whole universe, not atomic vibrations. Sound energy, sound power, is much, much greater than any other power in this world. And, one thing I would very much wish you all to remember is that with sound, we can make—and at the same time, break. Even in the war-field, to make the tender heart an animal, sound is used. Without that war band, that terrific sound, man will not become animal to kill his own brethren. So, that proves that you can break with sound, and if we care, we can make also.

So I am very happy to see that we are all here gathered to create some sounds—to find that peace and joy through the celestial music. And I am really very much honored for having been given this opportunity of opening this great, great music Festival. I should have come a little earlier to do that job, but as you all know, thousands of brothers and sisters are on the way and it’s not that easy to reach here.

America leads the whole world in several ways. Very recently, when I was in the East, the grandson of Mahatma Gandhi met me and asked me what’s happening in America. and I said, “America is becoming a whole. America is helping everybody in the material field, but the time has come for America to help the whole world with spirituality also.”

It seems we have regressed since that moment of greatness in history. War is now just as prevelent as ever and corruption within our laws/government also. Not to mention the mass majority of people who give you a strange look simply if you say hi to them in public setting without knowing them first. I wont go into a rant, but yes the 60's seemed like a great time. Though there are still many great festivals that go on today with the feelings of freedom and love similar to the 60's movement, you just have to seek them out.

 

[minds eye open]

Yes there are many festivals which promote this mindset and hold these values dear, and all that I have attended have been welcoming and unjudgemental, its just the scale and ubiquity of this in the sixties that differs from today.

 

[DamiasOfEgypt]

Reading this i just realized that my grandma would have been in here upper teens lower twenties in the sixties. What if she was a hippie? :shock: