ISLAND


Aldous Huxley (1962). Island.


Huxley has a degree in English literature from Oxford and turned to writing for the remainder of his life.

This fictional novel is about a utopian society that developed on a remote Pacific island that is being threatened by modern industrialized society (the novel ends with a tragic military pary assacinating the leader of the island in a single night). Most of the story is about Will Farnaby's sailing accident that leaves him on the island of Pala where he learns about the innovations of utopian society.


Some of the practices of the utopian society that one might consider incorporating into daily life include:

  • pay attention to what's happening in the here and now
  • use suggestions and imagery as hypnosis for healing
  • from ages 16-24, engage in 1/2 time education and 1/2 time internships
  • develop a group of 20 families that voluntarily commit to support and help each other through life, including the raising of children so much so that any child can stay at any family for as long as they want. 
  • focus on health prevention behaviors (i.e., place well-being first)
  • explore the possibility of young men and women learning the yoga of love together, as aided by elders and moksha medicine (magic mushroom ceremonies)



  

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