In the late 1960's the grounds were home to a ski resort, followed by a nudist colony, a swingers resort, and then more recently a place where surrounding residents dumped their rubbish just prior to the opening of Easton Mountain Retreat.

Clothing on the grounds is optional; but then again all else is optional, too. During my visit we ate clothed, communed clothed, but enjoyed the freedom that comes with knowing that we could break bread in the buff if we really wanted to—free of judgment or comment.

Although Easton is a mecca for creative, personal and spiritual growth, there is a danger in staying too long. As Alf pointed out, "The occupational hazard of living here is that you have nothing in your head and the occupational hazard of living inside a monastery is that that's all you have. You need a little more balance." Alf sees achieving that balance as a part of his own personal growth path. "I can't imagine right now where else I would belong better," he says. "I'm enthusiastic indeed in many respects."

The "now" is what matters most to Easton Mountainers. Yet another world awaits them—a world that is troubled, but also one in which they are better equipped to make their own.

"There are things we need to learn as a species that we are just in the infancy of learning. We need to learn to get along. We need to learn to share resources. We need to enjoy a life that is not based on consumption. The environmental crisis, the global economic injustice system, the violence in the world—it's all about fear of not having enough and hording more and taking from others what you don't need," John Stassio explains.

"So, in a community like [Easton] we begin to scratch the surface of the joy that comes from sharing things, whether it be making music together spontaneously or sharing meals together or spiritual practice. And as we learn these things we take them out into the world."

These lessons are seen first hand in young Damian, "I will hold a piece of Easton in my heart all throughout my life. The people here are just brilliant, sweet, compassionate, kind and enlightened people who are very much about finding out who their true selves are. I think that is difficult to find in your typical community. There is a real community here. This community has been so great for me." After nearly a week at Easton, Damian pressed play and packed his bags to return to a life of more classes back in Albany. "Yeah, I'll be back to Easton," he said. "It makes me feel so much better about being gay." After my visit I felt much the same way.