Philosophy and Thoughts

"There is something very wonderful in music. Words are wonderful enough, but music is even more wonderful. It speaks to our hearts and spirits, to the very core and roots of our souls. Music soothes us, stirs us up, it puts noble feelings in us, it melts us to know not how. It is a language by itself; just as specific, in its way, as speech, as words. Just as divine. Just as blessed." Charles Kingsley (1819-75) (from StillWind)

Throughout the years we've thought a lot and have come to embrace a few things which really help keep Stargaze-"Stargaze". We hope to just touch on a few of them to try to help ya understand a bit more about who we are…

"We live hard…we commune with the midnight hour and ride it out until daybreak armed with lights and lasers and booming bass. While our parents are in bed, we hug [each other] and hear a sound so moving that we throw ourselves into it…seeking to [break] that barrier that tries…to keep the body separate from the sound…Hemingway had his bullfights. We…have our music…we live passionately." -Kerins

Ownership is Critical

Like we said before, we firmly believe that its critical that everyone in Stargaze help take ownership, both of the reunions, but also of the family in general. You can see on the Teams section of the website that we've divided up the practical aspects of what needs to get done each reunion into different teams. Its important to realize we're ALL volunteers, no one gets paid or compensated for their efforts… its really up to us to make it happen for us ;) Its just plain fact that some of us are better organizers than others, others plan and cook meals much better than most, others are more passionate about the environment and Stargaze's impact (or lack of impact) we have each time we gather…others are audiophiles and sound equipment experts, while others are skilled graphic designers, web technologists, photographers, experienced Team Karma organizers…the list goes on and on. Every Stargaze is different because each time we face some similar challenges we've faced before, and always new ones. We do approach things in a very distributed manner-which allows people to focus on their area of contribution-like food or setting up the sound system-and through trusting in the other teams that they too are doing their best to make their contribution count. Each team usually has one or two co-leads that help organize and facilitate communication throughout the team and family… and these team leads have support from above too with bigger picture type issues that enable communication across all the teams and which help everyone understand where they fit in and how they make a difference in the grand scheme of things. If you are heading to your first Stargaze shortly, you'll notice that as part of your RSVP you selected a team on which you could help out a little and pitch in to make the reunion happen! If you have specific questions about what specific teams do, check out the Teams section of the website, or email the Stargazers who've led or worked on those teams in the past or email us at gamemasters@stargaze.org for more information!

Activities and Fullness

One thing we strongly support and seek to make a part of every Stargaze experience is the activities portion of our time together. Stargaze Family Gatherings aren't just a "party" or a "rave". Indeed we do have a party or celebration at each one, but its meant to only be part of the experience… If you ask most Stargazers of their most fond memories of past reunions, it will probably be some story of an activity they did while at a Stargaze, whether it was their first rock climbing experience, learning to snowboard, wine tasting on the Magic Bus, skydiving into the Chill area at Stargaze IX, getting horribly hurt while sledding on team carnage… ;)

We weren't on top of things enough to make a meaningful day or two of activities at Stargaze V happen… and its one of the reasons that people afterwards really felt that something was missing… it made a big difference! So plan on part of your time at Stargaze being spent rafting, kayaking, hiking, skiing or boarding-find SOMETHING to do, even challenge yourself by trying something you've never tried before even-and if you have something you enjoy doing.. step up, organize something, (we'll help you if you need it) and share!

"The evolution of man is the evolution of his consciousness; and "consciousness" cannot evolve unconsciously. The evolution of man is the evolution of his will; and "will" cannot evolve involuntarily. The evolution of man is the evolution of his power to do; and "power to do" cannot be the rest of things which happen-Georges Gurdjieff

Exclusive or Protective

One of the harder questions we've struggled with is the whole exclusive vs. protective approach we've taken towards growth and bringing in new people. Early on in my raving experience I stumbled onto the story of the "Club for Love" in the UK. Just like in the early days of the "Club for Love".... I feel that it is up to us to protect our own scene and to promote our values at its lowest levels (and strongest levels - like the nuclear forces that bind our matter together). In reading about the early days the Club For Love (which was one of the first clubs that gave control of its design, implementation, and operation over to the DJs and ravers rather than the club owners) I remember getting chills about reading about their first efforts. They reduced the amount of fog machines... so that the clubbers and dancers could SEE each other... actually look into the faces and feel the emotions of those people with you next to you dancing to the same music. They gave more musical freedom to the DJs.... Everyone loved it. However, the thing that struck me the most was their unique attendance / door policy.

Everyone knows working the door takes a very special person. These guys went to the next level.... They found an old friend or acquaintance who was either an old monk or spiritual leader... and had him work the door. They weren't trying to be exclusive... they were trying to protect the vibe and family they were forming. The monk would, for each would be clubber, would lay his hands on each shoulder... and peer deep into the eyes. If the monk sensed that there was some positive energy and a good vibe from the person before him... entrance was never an issue. However, if he sensed that there was no positive energy that this raver could release... or sensed a bad vibe about the person. The person was politely turned away and asked to return another time for another appointment with the spiritual head.

That's really the idea behind Stargaze.... Keeping our gatherings underground.... Both for safety and promotion reasons.... The concepts of ownership and participation.... The foundation of unity within our scene (especially between divided scenes like LA and SF)... and a close family unit that cares for, protects, and looks out proactively for each other. Providing a safe (though sometimes virtual) environment in which we can support each other when life tries us, encourage each other as we strive to seek our goals and dreams, and cheer Each other on as we seek to dance, spin, and celebrate our unique and powerful culture.

So we hope that you see that we've not trying to be exclusive in how we approach Stargaze… we're just trying to be very very protective.

"What saves us is to take another step. Then another step. It is always the same step, but we have to take it"- Antoine De Saint Exupery

Its Not All good… Foundations for Interaction

One of the things you hear out in the dance community is the phrase "Its All Good" Well in Stargaze we believe that its not "all good." An early slogan for Stargaze was "an experiment in PLUR" meaning that we firmly advocate and support as a lifestyle choice the foundations of PLUR-embracing the concepts and principles of peaceful interaction, loving treatment of each other (yes that kind of golden rule thing)...unifying actions, speech and lifestyles, and an overall display and understanding of the respect that we should have for each other, which covers both our commonalities, but also our differences. We don't believe its ok to mistreat people, whether its in "real life" or "cyberspace". We hope everyone can always strive to be the most loving, respectful, sensitive person they can in their interactions with others. So if you are interested in starting the occasional flame war, or looking to be able to abuse the practices of acceptance and respect by intentionally being abusive or rude… don't count on being welcome in Stargaze. We'll ask you to leave politely-there are plenty of other places in the world where you can direct these unwelcome behaviors. So in a sense, it IS all good, but its not THAT all good ;) Like the monk working the door at the Club for Love…we're very passionate about making SG as free as we can from rudeness, insensitivity, and unloving treatment of people and the planet.

Sponsorship and Growth

Like we said earlier… we've learned to embrace "quality" growth vs. growth in quantity. We've had big and small Stargaze reunions alike. What were not interested in is people who come, poke about, don't get involved, don't participate, and then leave. As a sponsor, we hope you really keep this in mind when trying to figure out if you should sponsor someone or not. Of course its not going to be for everyone, but we'd rather grow slowly each reunion by adding a dozen or so new people, than by growing by 40 people, 30 of which we'll never see again. Investment, involvement-what people both get out of Stargaze and what they can give back-are important things to ponder on both sides of the growth question.

We believe very strongly in the concepts of mentoring… whether its our more experienced DJs sharing with newer DJs starting out, or whether its those amongst us who've lived some of lifes experiences that others have not-realizing that we have a lot to offer and gain from mentoring has really blessed us. In my early readings about the rave scene I came across stories of some of its founders thoughts about the current environment then, and some were asked what they thought was the greatest risk to the rave scene as they knew it. Most answered by addressing the sad truth that the older generations of ravers aren't sharing with the very new generation of ravers the founding principles, the beginnings, their original motivations, indeed the "whys" to the "hows" they were learning on their own. And these interviews I was reading about were happening 7+ years ago! Looking around at some of the events and gatherings today, its not hard to see the impact this desperate seperation has had on our scene at all.

In our own lives we see mentoring as a very healthy which offers a lot for us. Some European countries even require it in their primary school systems!! Typically starting around the third grade, student is assigned a 4th grader, who will do what they can to help the younger 3rd grader prepare for the next chapter in their lives. The 4th grader likewise has a 5th grader above him or her investing along the same lines. By the time someone reaches the gymnasium/high school level of education, there are handfuls of people for every student who've been helped, aided, taught, and instructed along the way. I dream of a society on this side of the world that would embrace such things. I personally know I'm only where I'm at today as a DJ because some people took me aside and mentored me. I learned a lot, saved a lot of time and energy that could have been spent on learning lessons the hard way and not the smart way. Likewise I think that older more experienced ravers have a LOT to offer to the incoming generation(s)!

In Stargaze we tie the new growth process very closely to the mentoring concept. Everyone who comes into Stargaze must have a sponsor who basically is willing to step up, commit on many levels including time, resources, education and involvement in the family. Only people that have been to a Stargaze-who've been to one to figure out for themselves what its all about, and who, after figuring out what it is to them, they decide they know of someone else special to them to share it with as well-these people can bring in the new life, thoughts, ideas-indeed our new blood into the family!

So as someone possibly coming to your first Stargaze, please learn to lean on your sponsor! Make sure you are plugged into a team, make sure you are getting out there and finding a way to connect, invest, and take in all that is bound to be about you. Soak up all you can! That's pretty much your primary responsibility at your first Stargaze: First make sure you are helping out somehow, but more importantly make sure you take it all in… your experience will be what you invest in it! Your sponsor definitely shouldn't abandon you on your own to do your own thing-rather they should be spending time with you before Stargaze to try to help you understand what to expect, how to plug in, how you are going to make a difference in the big picture of things… and during Stargaze to help facilitate introductions, meeting people, social stuff. Hopefully you'll like what you see and hear and experience--and soon will be bringing someone that you too feel close enough to want to share this thing with… and the cycle will continue…. We bring not the end, but a beginning… A picture about living A symbol for searching. Conflict was a construct, A contest between Being and becoming. We take away that war… A new book is opened Fresh pages Not darkened (this time) By orders from sages. Fresh pages For new ideas About Future Spaces. (poem read and written by Drew at our Opening Ceremonies at Stargaze IV)

Index About Us Home Philosophy and Thoughts PT II

		*Philosophy and Thoughts* "There is something very wonderful in music. Words are wonderful enough, but music is even more wonderful. It speaks to our hearts and spirits, to the very core and roots of our souls. Music soothes us, stirs us up, it puts noble feelings in us, it melts us to know not how. It is a language by itself; just as specific, in its way, as speech, as words. Just as divine. Just as blessed." Charles Kingsley (1819-75) (from StillWind) Throughout the years we've thought a lot and have come to embrace a few things which really help keep Stargaze-"Stargaze". We hope to just touch on a few of them to try to help ya understand a bit more about who we are… "We live hard…we commune with the midnight hour and ride it out until daybreak armed with lights and lasers and booming bass. While our parents are in bed, we hug [each other] and hear a sound so moving that we throw ourselves into it…seeking to [break] that barrier that tries…to keep the body separate from the sound…Hemingway had his bullfights. We…have our music…we live passionately." -Kerins *Ownership is Critical* Like we said before, we firmly believe that its critical that everyone in Stargaze help take ownership, both of the reunions, but also of the family in general. You can see on the Teams section of the website that we've divided up the practical aspects of what needs to get done each reunion into different teams. Its important to realize we're ALL volunteers, no one gets paid or compensated for their efforts… its really up to us to make it happen for us ;) Its just plain fact that some of us are better organizers than others, others plan and cook meals much better than most, others are more passionate about the environment and Stargaze's impact (or lack of impact) we have each time we gather…others are audiophiles and sound equipment experts, while others are skilled graphic designers, web technologists, photographers, experienced Team Karma organizers…the list goes on and on. Every Stargaze is different because each time we face some similar challenges we've faced before, and always new ones. We do approach things in a very distributed manner-which allows people to focus on their area of contribution-like food or setting up the sound system-and through trusting in the other teams that they too are doing their best to make their contribution count. Each team usually has one or two co-leads that help organize and facilitate communication throughout the team and family… and these team leads have support from above too with bigger picture type issues that enable communication across all the teams and which help everyone understand where they fit in and how they make a difference in the grand scheme of things. If you are heading to your first Stargaze shortly, you'll notice that as part of your RSVP you selected a team on which you could help out a little and pitch in to make the reunion happen! If you have specific questions about what specific teams do, check out the Teams section of the website, or email the Stargazers who've led or worked on those teams in the past or email us at gamemasters@stargaze.org for more information! *Activities and Fullness* One thing we strongly support and seek to make a part of every Stargaze experience is the activities portion of our time together. Stargaze Family Gatherings aren't just a "party" or a "rave". Indeed we do have a party or celebration at each one, but its meant to only be part of the experience… If you ask most Stargazers of their most fond memories of past reunions, it will probably be some story of an activity they did while at a Stargaze, whether it was their first rock climbing experience, learning to snowboard, wine tasting on the Magic Bus, skydiving into the Chill area at Stargaze IX, getting horribly hurt while sledding on team carnage… ;) We weren't on top of things enough to make a meaningful day or two of activities at Stargaze V happen… and its one of the reasons that people afterwards really felt that something was missing… it made a big difference! So plan on part of your time at Stargaze being spent rafting, kayaking, hiking, skiing or boarding-find SOMETHING to do, even challenge yourself by trying something you've never tried before even-and if you have something you enjoy doing.. step up, organize something, (we'll help you if you need it) and share! "The evolution of man is the evolution of his consciousness; and "consciousness" cannot evolve unconsciously. The evolution of man is the evolution of his will; and "will" cannot evolve involuntarily. The evolution of man is the evolution of his power to do; and "power to do" cannot be the rest of things which happen-Georges Gurdjieff *Exclusive or Protective* One of the harder questions we've struggled with is the whole exclusive vs. protective approach we've taken towards growth and bringing in new people. Early on in my raving experience I stumbled onto the story of the "Club for Love" in the UK. Just like in the early days of the "Club for Love".... I feel that it is up to us to protect our own scene and to promote our values at its lowest levels (and strongest levels - like the nuclear forces that bind our matter together). In reading about the early days the Club For Love (which was one of the first clubs that gave control of its design, implementation, and operation over to the DJs and ravers rather than the club owners) I remember getting chills about reading about their first efforts. They reduced the amount of fog machines... so that the clubbers and dancers could SEE each other... actually look into the faces and feel the emotions of those people with you next to you dancing to the same music. They gave more musical freedom to the DJs.... Everyone loved it. However, the thing that struck me the most was their unique attendance / door policy. Everyone knows working the door takes a very special person. These guys went to the next level.... They found an old friend or acquaintance who was either an old monk or spiritual leader... and had him work the door. They weren't trying to be exclusive... they were trying to protect the vibe and family they were forming. The monk would, for each would be clubber, would lay his hands on each shoulder... and peer deep into the eyes. If the monk sensed that there was some positive energy and a good vibe from the person before him... entrance was never an issue. However, if he sensed that there was no positive energy that this raver could release... or sensed a bad vibe about the person. The person was politely turned away and asked to return another time for another appointment with the spiritual head. That's really the idea behind Stargaze.... Keeping our gatherings underground.... Both for safety and promotion reasons.... The concepts of ownership and participation.... The foundation of unity within our scene (especially between divided scenes like LA and SF)... and a close family unit that cares for, protects, and looks out proactively for each other. Providing a safe (though sometimes virtual) environment in which we can support each other when life tries us, encourage each other as we strive to seek our goals and dreams, and cheer Each other on as we seek to dance, spin, and celebrate our unique and powerful culture. So we hope that you see that we've not trying to be exclusive in how we approach Stargaze… we're just trying to be very very protective. "What saves us is to take another step. Then another step. It is always the same step, but we have to take it"- Antoine De Saint Exupery *Its Not All good… Foundations for Interaction* One of the things you hear out in the dance community is the phrase "Its All Good" Well in Stargaze we believe that its not "all good." An early slogan for Stargaze was "an experiment in PLUR" meaning that we firmly advocate and support as a lifestyle choice the foundations of PLUR-embracing the concepts and principles of peaceful interaction, loving treatment of each other (yes that kind of golden rule thing)...unifying actions, speech and lifestyles, and an overall display and understanding of the respect that we should have for each other, which covers both our commonalities, but also our differences. We don't believe its ok to mistreat people, whether its in "real life" or "cyberspace". We hope everyone can always strive to be the most loving, respectful, sensitive person they can in their interactions with others. So if you are interested in starting the occasional flame war, or looking to be able to abuse the practices of acceptance and respect by intentionally being abusive or rude… don't count on being welcome in Stargaze. We'll ask you to leave politely-there are plenty of other places in the world where you can direct these unwelcome behaviors. So in a sense, it IS all good, but its not THAT all good ;) Like the monk working the door at the Club for Love…we're very passionate about making SG as free as we can from rudeness, insensitivity, and unloving treatment of people and the planet. *Sponsorship and Growth* Like we said earlier… we've learned to embrace "quality" growth vs. growth in quantity. We've had big and small Stargaze reunions alike. What were not interested in is people who come, poke about, don't get involved, don't participate, and then leave. As a sponsor, we hope you really keep this in mind when trying to figure out if you should sponsor someone or not. Of course its not going to be for everyone, but we'd rather grow slowly each reunion by adding a dozen or so new people, than by growing by 40 people, 30 of which we'll never see again. Investment, involvement-what people both get out of Stargaze and what they can give back-are important things to ponder on both sides of the growth question. We believe very strongly in the concepts of mentoring… whether its our more experienced DJs sharing with newer DJs starting out, or whether its those amongst us who've lived some of lifes experiences that others have not-realizing that we have a lot to offer and gain from mentoring has really blessed us. In my early readings about the rave scene I came across stories of some of its founders thoughts about the current environment then, and some were asked what they thought was the greatest risk to the rave scene as they knew it. Most answered by addressing the sad truth that the older generations of ravers aren't sharing with the very new generation of ravers the founding principles, the beginnings, their original motivations, indeed the "whys" to the "hows" they were learning on their own. And these interviews I was reading about were happening 7+ years ago! Looking around at some of the events and gatherings today, its not hard to see the impact this desperate seperation has had on our scene at all. In our own lives we see mentoring as a very healthy which offers a lot for us. Some European countries even require it in their primary school systems!! Typically starting around the third grade, student is assigned a 4th grader, who will do what they can to help the younger 3rd grader prepare for the next chapter in their lives. The 4th grader likewise has a 5th grader above him or her investing along the same lines. By the time someone reaches the gymnasium/high school level of education, there are handfuls of people for every student who've been helped, aided, taught, and instructed along the way. I dream of a society on this side of the world that would embrace such things. I personally know I'm only where I'm at today as a DJ because some people took me aside and mentored me. I learned a lot, saved a lot of time and energy that could have been spent on learning lessons the hard way and not the smart way. Likewise I think that older more experienced ravers have a LOT to offer to the incoming generation(s)! In Stargaze we tie the new growth process very closely to the mentoring concept. Everyone who comes into Stargaze must have a sponsor who basically is willing to step up, commit on many levels including time, resources, education and involvement in the family. Only people that have been to a Stargaze-who've been to one to figure out for themselves what its all about, and who, after figuring out what it is to them, they decide they know of someone else special to them to share it with as well-these people can bring in the new life, thoughts, ideas-indeed our new blood into the family! So as someone possibly coming to your first Stargaze, please learn to lean on your sponsor! Make sure you are plugged into a team, make sure you are getting out there and finding a way to connect, invest, and take in all that is bound to be about you. Soak up all you can! That's pretty much your primary responsibility at your first Stargaze: First make sure you are helping out somehow, but more importantly make sure you take it all in… your experience will be what you invest in it! Your sponsor definitely shouldn't abandon you on your own to do your own thing-rather they should be spending time with you before Stargaze to try to help you understand what to expect, how to plug in, how you are going to make a difference in the big picture of things… and during Stargaze to help facilitate introductions, meeting people, social stuff. Hopefully you'll like what you see and hear and experience--and soon will be bringing someone that you too feel close enough to want to share this thing with… and the cycle will continue…. We bring not the end, but a beginning… A picture about living A symbol for searching. Conflict was a construct, A contest between Being and becoming. We take away that war… A new book is opened Fresh pages Not darkened (this time) By orders from sages. Fresh pages For new ideas About Future Spaces. (poem read and written by Drew at our Opening Ceremonies at Stargaze IV)