Stephen Gaskin

Stephen Gaskin was an American counterculture icon, spiritual leader, author, and the founder of The Farm, one of the most well-known intentional communities in the United States.

Stephen Gaskin (February 16, 1935 – July 1, 2014) was an American counterculture icon, spiritual leader, author, and the founder of The Farm, one of the most well-known intentional communities in the United States. His life and work were emblematic of the 1960s counterculture movement's transition into sustainable living and spiritual practices, combining elements of Eastern mysticism with Western alternative culture.

Early Life and Education

Stephen Gaskin was born in Denver, Colorado. He served in the Marine Corps before pursuing higher education. Gaskin attended San Francisco State University, where he earned a master's degree in English and creative writing. It was during his time in San Francisco that he became deeply involved in the burgeoning counterculture movement, embracing its ethos of peace, love, and communal living.

The Monday Night Class

Gaskin's influence began to grow significantly through a weekly event known as the Monday Night Class, which he started in 1969. These classes were held at the Family Dog Auditorium on the Great Highway in San Francisco, a venue known for its association with the psychedelic music scene. The Monday Night Class was a forum for open discussion on topics ranging from spirituality and religion to politics and communal living. These sessions attracted thousands of participants from various walks of life, drawn by Gaskin's charismatic teaching style and the inclusive, exploratory nature of the gatherings.

The Caravan and Founding of The Farm

In 1970, motivated by a vision of establishing a new model for society that embraced peace, sustainability, and communal living, Gaskin led a caravan of buses, trucks, and cars across the United States. This journey, known as The Caravan, consisted of approximately 300 people who shared Gaskin's ideals. Their journey ended in Lewis County, Tennessee, where they founded The Farm, an intentional community that would become one of the largest and most successful of its kind in the country.

The Farm

The Farm was founded on principles of nonviolence, vegetarianism, and environmentalism, with a strong emphasis on spiritual development and communal living. Under Gaskin's leadership, The Farm developed innovative approaches to agriculture, midwifery, and education, and became a model for sustainable living. The community also established various outreach programs, including Plenty International, a relief and development organization.

Gaskin's role as a spiritual leader on The Farm was central. He drew upon various religious traditions, including Buddhism and Christianity, to create a unique spiritual framework for the community. His teachings emphasized personal responsibility, the importance of meditation, and the concept of karma.

Later Years and Legacy

Over the years, The Farm underwent significant changes, including a shift from a communal economy to a more individual-based model in the early 1980s. Stephen Gaskin continued to write and teach, authoring several books on spirituality, communal living, and the counterculture movement. His works include *The Caravan*, which chronicles the cross-country journey that led to the founding of The Farm, and *This Season's People*, a book on communal living.

Stephen Gaskin's impact extends beyond The Farm. He is remembered as a pioneer of the intentional community movement and a significant figure in American counterculture. His efforts to blend spiritual practice with practical action towards social and environmental issues have left a lasting legacy, influencing subsequent generations interested in sustainability, communal living, and alternative spirituality. Gaskin passed away on July 1, 2014, but The Farm continues to operate, maintaining many of the principles upon which it was founded.