I attended an interesting experiment in community living, personal growth, and full self-expression last night. Calling itself the ZEGG Forum, this is a group of advocates for a completely transparent community. Weekly, they participate in a performance ritual that allows each person to express themselves authentically and in a safe space.

I was quite taken by the real, palpable, and honest full self-expression and safety of the group. I noticed that witnessing each person’s genuine presentation of their individual situation was at once extraordinary and frightening. The feeling of true and real expression was life affirming and beautiful to behold. While, knowing in this space there was no place for me to hide. Any inauthentic way of being or subtle separation I build was easily seen through. That for me was truly uncomfortable. My one true desire is to be witnessed for all that I am; light and dark. And to know there is a place available for that is absolutely unnerving for my ego.

I highly recommend going to an Open ZEGG Forum and witnessing the process and experiencing how you feel and are in that environment. You may be uncomfortable or even fearful … but I invite you to look past your initial reaction. I found that the reason I felt this way is because I am so used to hiding certain parts of myself. This allows me to feel safe in the world as I go about my every day. Here, though, those masks and veils fall away and real human being is laid bare. It is exhilarating to feel so alive, even in the face of my own ego fears.

Here on the island of Maui, there are regular meeting locations in Makawao, Kihei, and Kula. To see if there is an “Open Forum” opportunity near you on Maui, contact the New Culture Center and ask how you can learn more about the ZEGG community on Maui.

ZEGG is not just the Forum, but also an experiment in community living

Here is a presentation on how ZEGG Communities are organized in an attempt to answer the questions:

• How is living together possible without fear and violence?
• How does life unfold itself when cooperation replaces competition and key questions of humankind for contact and trust become the central focus?

Find out more at the international ZEGG website. I find their principles inspiring:

• Consciousness in love
• Responsibility for the Earth

See also Global EcoVillage Network to learn more about alternative communities seeking to establish “concrete utopias” which provide alternatives to the consumption oriented culture and strategies for communication and reconciliation.