Exploring full self-expression through the ZEGG Forum

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.

NRDC Action Fund: Mobilizing America for a Sustainable Future

Recently I came across this video advocating for comprehensive climate and energy legislation that is currently before the Senate. This bill is called “The Clean Energy Jobs and American Power Act” and I think this is a slam-dunk no-brainer. Why not combine the two most pressing needs in America today: jobs and a “clean-energy” economy?

Check out the video below to be introduced to what the NRDC Action Fund is up to:

If you think this political action is worth advocating for, the website NRDC Action Fund at “This is Our Moment” will provide you an opportunity to email your state senator and encourage them to take action now. If you saw the “State of the Union” address from President Barack Obama, than you are aware that job creation will be his focus for the upcoming year.

Help the US government know that we don’t want just jobs for the sake of jobs, but a whole new industry of jobs and financial resources directed towards helping the United States become a world leader in clean/alternative energy industry.

Included in my appeal to the Hawaii State Senator, I included the following special note:

“I also want to share just one point of personal, heartfelt awareness. It simply would be smart to combine the two most pressing needs of the present moment: jobs and environmental sustainability. For many decades we have been taught in school about America’s manufacturing and innovation prowess, especially since WWII.

However, as I’ve become a young man, I watched as those jobs have moved overseas and America increasingly lose her world stature and respect because she has been unwilling to stand for something other than military-industrial/oil interests. Let’s make a stand now and show that America is ready and willing to be a world leader — not only to benefit the masses outside our borders by innovation, leadership, and utilization of our amazing ability to get products out to the world — but also by generating, nurturing and keeping the jobs that will save the environment of our planet here at home.

We can do this and I trust you will see beyond any immediate lobbying efforts that want to maintain the status quo, and instead, take into account the generations beyond this moment that will benefit from a powerful step forward through energy and climate legislation. Get the money out to businesses, research institutions, schools, and individuals who not only want to succeed in the “business model,” but who also recognize their contribution is not only to their bottom line, but to the world itself.”
Please take action now. Whether or not you agree with the direction Obama has taken the United States. Whether or not you agree that a “change” has come to Washington [D.C.]. Whether or not you like current Health Care legislation (for the record, I’m quite disappointed). All that doesn’t matter now. This is all about America’s future and frankly the future of the world’s natural environment. Let’s at least get the money government spends to “help the economy create jobs” focused in the “right” direction.

Please take a stand: Consider whether this stands for your interests and would be worth spending a few moments emailing and advocating for.

Our government (and Obama) needs to hear from us.