The Modern Hippie by Gary Hopkins
June, 2008
Long hair, bell-bottoms, and tie-dyed clothing may be what you think of when you hear the term Hippie. This term was made popular in the 1960’s for a group of individuals that had (at the time) an unconventional view on life here in America. The hippie movement brought to the surface a new age in thinking amongst Americans. The idea of a small unobtrusive government (or self-government), free love, and expanding ones mind (often through drug use) were focal points in this "new" idea of our culture.
This cultural movement lost its steam in the mid to late 1970’s, however it seems to be making a comeback in the form of the new age spiritual movement that is currently happening around the world today.
This spiritual re-awakening is prevalent and can be witnessed in many forms. Holistic centers, New Age shops, tarot readers, healers and the like are cropping up at an incredible rate. Just like the "Hippies" back in the day, most of these people (including myself) are seeking some form of higher awareness. Whether it is from some exotic eastern philosophy or a westernized version of enlightenment, the masses are avidly seeking to expand their minds, consciousness, and overall awareness of themselves, god and the universe.
Unlike the Hippies of the past, the new aspiring hippie (or modern hippie) has a different view on drugs as a gateway to enlightenment. Although some are still practicing with this vehicle, the new hippie often uses some form of meditation (non-drug related) to expand his/her thoughts to become more aware. Meditation can come in many forms, such as: Thai Chi, Qigong, Dance, Music, and of course the more traditional methods of sitting and clearing your mind either to some background music or in one’s own voice during a chant (such as the "OHM"). The idea is to alter your state of mind to the degree where your daily life fades away and true reality seeps in to give us the spiritual answers that we seek.
Now it is becoming a little clearer. If this is not you, then I am certain that each of you knows of someone that practices this in at least one form or another.
The new Hippie stands for many things today: love, forgiveness, understanding, etc. However just like the Hippies of yesterday, we all still have our flaws. We are human and we make human mistakes, no matter how hard we try to convince ourselves otherwise. No matter how enlightened we become, we all still have those remnants of our human selves that well…. Make us human. Although we take steps forward, we ultimately take a step or two backward from time to time. Now, not all of us have the opportunity to go and live on a mountain to contemplate all of life’s mysteries. Nor would many of us want to. And given that the world has become quite "smaller" in the last 100 years, I believe that this "ebb and flow" is a part of our spiritual journey.
Today’s modern hippie has a very distinct advantage over the hippie of the 60’s. We live in the information age. The Internet gives us a commanding advantage in our own spiritual advancement. Think of what it must have been like 100 years ago in this respect. Any spiritual information was confined to what was available to your town or village. In many cases, it wasn’t up to you at all, depending on the influences of the local guru, priest, etc.
However, today we can study a broad range of spiritual philosophies and ideas from the comfort of our own home. At our leisure, we can study any religion, mainstream or otherwise and then make our choice as to what particular philosophy works for us. I believe that this is a very efficient vehicle for our path to enlightenment. I also believe that this is why our society is evolving at such a fast pace. Although I think we are in the beginning stages of spiritual greatness, I think it is happening to all of us. Of course we are going to stumble now and again. We will continue to make mistakes (being human, how can we not). We will continue to question and contradict ourselves. But, we will continue, just like we are meant and destined to do.
June, 2008
Long hair, bell-bottoms, and tie-dyed clothing may be what you think of when you hear the term Hippie. This term was made popular in the 1960’s for a group of individuals that had (at the time) an unconventional view on life here in America. The hippie movement brought to the surface a new age in thinking amongst Americans. The idea of a small unobtrusive government (or self-government), free love, and expanding ones mind (often through drug use) were focal points in this "new" idea of our culture.
This cultural movement lost its steam in the mid to late 1970’s, however it seems to be making a comeback in the form of the new age spiritual movement that is currently happening around the world today.
This spiritual re-awakening is prevalent and can be witnessed in many forms. Holistic centers, New Age shops, tarot readers, healers and the like are cropping up at an incredible rate. Just like the "Hippies" back in the day, most of these people (including myself) are seeking some form of higher awareness. Whether it is from some exotic eastern philosophy or a westernized version of enlightenment, the masses are avidly seeking to expand their minds, consciousness, and overall awareness of themselves, god and the universe.
Unlike the Hippies of the past, the new aspiring hippie (or modern hippie) has a different view on drugs as a gateway to enlightenment. Although some are still practicing with this vehicle, the new hippie often uses some form of meditation (non-drug related) to expand his/her thoughts to become more aware. Meditation can come in many forms, such as: Thai Chi, Qigong, Dance, Music, and of course the more traditional methods of sitting and clearing your mind either to some background music or in one’s own voice during a chant (such as the "OHM"). The idea is to alter your state of mind to the degree where your daily life fades away and true reality seeps in to give us the spiritual answers that we seek.
Now it is becoming a little clearer. If this is not you, then I am certain that each of you knows of someone that practices this in at least one form or another.
The new Hippie stands for many things today: love, forgiveness, understanding, etc. However just like the Hippies of yesterday, we all still have our flaws. We are human and we make human mistakes, no matter how hard we try to convince ourselves otherwise. No matter how enlightened we become, we all still have those remnants of our human selves that well…. Make us human. Although we take steps forward, we ultimately take a step or two backward from time to time. Now, not all of us have the opportunity to go and live on a mountain to contemplate all of life’s mysteries. Nor would many of us want to. And given that the world has become quite "smaller" in the last 100 years, I believe that this "ebb and flow" is a part of our spiritual journey.
Today’s modern hippie has a very distinct advantage over the hippie of the 60’s. We live in the information age. The Internet gives us a commanding advantage in our own spiritual advancement. Think of what it must have been like 100 years ago in this respect. Any spiritual information was confined to what was available to your town or village. In many cases, it wasn’t up to you at all, depending on the influences of the local guru, priest, etc.
However, today we can study a broad range of spiritual philosophies and ideas from the comfort of our own home. At our leisure, we can study any religion, mainstream or otherwise and then make our choice as to what particular philosophy works for us. I believe that this is a very efficient vehicle for our path to enlightenment. I also believe that this is why our society is evolving at such a fast pace. Although I think we are in the beginning stages of spiritual greatness, I think it is happening to all of us. Of course we are going to stumble now and again. We will continue to make mistakes (being human, how can we not). We will continue to question and contradict ourselves. But, we will continue, just like we are meant and destined to do.
