"Lick the stamp, turn on"

Hippies believe(d) that the pursuit of money interferred with a fufulling life.

The summer of love - San Francisco, CA 1967 - There were many things wrong with America at this time, and the hippies, the counter culture, were there to show America that you didn't need money, a job, a home or anything else "the man" said you were supposed to have. As a sub-culture, the hippies of 1967 created their own declaration of independence; their creation endows us with certain inalienable rights and among these are "freedom of body, the pursuit of joy and the expansion of consciousness." Unfortunately, many of the ideals from that time are no longer ideal. The hippies of 1967 thought they could change the world, and make it a better place. In some ways, they succeeded...

The following is an excerpt from The Oracle, a prevalent hippie magazine from San Francisco:

"We are all -- squares and the psychedelically enlightened alike -- involved in our world of now. To take up the call, to respond to the cosmic forces, we must be the hard-working, harmonious, respectful, honest, diligent, co-operative family of man. Our words are inspired. Our feeling is deep and complete. Our devotion is strong. The precious revelations which have come through us with increasing magnitude must be fathomed until we are one with each other and can extend our awareness beyond the tribe to our entire planet.
What is the natural karmic duty of a generation whose brothers, neighbors, and childhood friends now promote hate by killing innocent human beings around the world? It is to balance their jive and immature actions with the light of intelligent goodness; fearlessly to deal with the money-mad machine in order to release its hold on our bowels -- the bowels of mankind.
Practically, this means that all excess profit is turned back into the community. That means all money, material things, food, etc., which are beyond the basic necessities of a happy, healthy, human existence..."

Life is a viscious cycle and this time is upon us again. We are in the midst of our generation's Veitnam, so I ask, What is our natural karmic duty? Take up the call. Lick the stamp, turn on.