The Collective Exp is committed to harnessing collective wisdom and consciousness to promote a more enjoyable, health-conscious, earth-friendly lifestyle - individually, in the family, and as a community; through education, compassion, and support; by networking our combined resources and energies to affect change through art, music, and self-expression on local and global platforms.
We intend to approach our youth with alternatives, getting them involved within the community, in positive ways they can express themselves creatively. Collaborating with local artists and musicians, developing art- and trade-skills, and learning the importance of successful communication, team-building, and work ethic.
Involving and reaching out to our elderly... it is time to revere our elderly, and gain a respect for their knowledge and connection. Let's coach our children in honoring them; doing so by the example of taking their counsel, treating them with respect, and including them in our lives and daily activities.
We feel the current social/economic models that we've had in place are unsuccessful. This current system not only creates division among us, but it fosters that and similar negative habits. We believe in looking outside the box, using our collective wisdom and knowledge to construct new models - ones which do not place their importance in money, the amount possessed, or in the acquisition of it.
The model we are creating is built on a foundation of embracing difference and change. We believe we can function on a constant basis of change, because we have. Change is inevitable, in fact. If we embrace a dynamic outlook - rooted in Truth and Love - we can then focus our energies to guide it and continue to take change into a positive direction.
Let us begin by looking differently at the way we view things; "outside the box" means "outside our own head" to many of us here in the Collective. The way we treat each other is key. We need to direct the focus away from our fears and mis-perceptions, lets edit the things we tell ourselves if they are not positive and productive. It is time to be real with each other, speak honestly, act compassionately, and move toward progress together. Healing ourselves, our communities, and our world.
The time has come to put aside our differences, embrace each other and change, and put forth our combined efforts and resources to make the changes we want, inside and out.
We intend to approach our youth with alternatives, getting them involved within the community, in positive ways they can express themselves creatively. Collaborating with local artists and musicians, developing art- and trade-skills, and learning the importance of successful communication, team-building, and work ethic.
Involving and reaching out to our elderly... it is time to revere our elderly, and gain a respect for their knowledge and connection. Let's coach our children in honoring them; doing so by the example of taking their counsel, treating them with respect, and including them in our lives and daily activities.
We feel the current social/economic models that we've had in place are unsuccessful. This current system not only creates division among us, but it fosters that and similar negative habits. We believe in looking outside the box, using our collective wisdom and knowledge to construct new models - ones which do not place their importance in money, the amount possessed, or in the acquisition of it.
The model we are creating is built on a foundation of embracing difference and change. We believe we can function on a constant basis of change, because we have. Change is inevitable, in fact. If we embrace a dynamic outlook - rooted in Truth and Love - we can then focus our energies to guide it and continue to take change into a positive direction.
Let us begin by looking differently at the way we view things; "outside the box" means "outside our own head" to many of us here in the Collective. The way we treat each other is key. We need to direct the focus away from our fears and mis-perceptions, lets edit the things we tell ourselves if they are not positive and productive. It is time to be real with each other, speak honestly, act compassionately, and move toward progress together. Healing ourselves, our communities, and our world.
The time has come to put aside our differences, embrace each other and change, and put forth our combined efforts and resources to make the changes we want, inside and out.
our Collective values
The Collective Exp began as a social group in Santa Barbara, comprised of co-workers employed by the local clothing company The Territory Ahead, who early on began referring to themselves as The Collective. This positive community of individuals coined themselves “Family” and began building a model for living healthy, positive, supportive lifestyles together – networking and pooling their combined money, time, energies, and resources to affect positive and profound change in each others lives. They adopted several philosophies that became the backbone of their value system.
Representing an eclectic group of individuals – ranging in ages from teens to 50-something’s, all ethnicities, balanced genders, and compiled of various social roles, political affiliations, and religious backgrounds… the common bond that united them was their ability to come together and accomplish work goals consistently and more enjoyably through having fun as a Team and entertaining themselves. This camaraderie quickly developed into family-style relationships, developed even further still as a tight community, they began involving their children into each others lives… teaching them what was learned together as they grew.
The Collective Exp began as a social group in Santa Barbara, comprised of co-workers employed by the local clothing company The Territory Ahead, who early on began referring to themselves as The Collective. This positive community of individuals coined themselves “Family” and began building a model for living healthy, positive, supportive lifestyles together – networking and pooling their combined money, time, energies, and resources to affect positive and profound change in each others lives. They adopted several philosophies that became the backbone of their value system.
Representing an eclectic group of individuals – ranging in ages from teens to 50-something’s, all ethnicities, balanced genders, and compiled of various social roles, political affiliations, and religious backgrounds… the common bond that united them was their ability to come together and accomplish work goals consistently and more enjoyably through having fun as a Team and entertaining themselves. This camaraderie quickly developed into family-style relationships, developed even further still as a tight community, they began involving their children into each others lives… teaching them what was learned together as they grew.
- Respect and Tolerance. We strive to earn respect by being respectful of others, and operating in an open-minded and non-discriminatory manner that allows us to learn from each other.
- Integrity. To be honest, fair, and with pure intent. Placing the banner of Love on above us, we move forward with our brother’s and sister’s bests interest in our hearts… knowing that their success is our success, for together we all move forward.
- Communication. The key to nearly any positive, functional, healthy relationship is communication. Work gets done more efficiently, in better quality, with less mistakes. Emotions are not allowed to stew, develop false perceptions, or create negative flow. Whenever in doubt… ask questions (this is the best example for communication.) Communicating one’s perspective is key to understanding the entirety of one’s experience.
- Open-mindedness. It is easy to want to close ourselves off to the views of others, especially when they seem foreign or strange. However, we only limit ourselves by taking such action, and by turning our own perception toward understanding the advantages and the fun that can be found in learning these outside concepts, principles, and practices only increases our combined knowledge and collective wisdom – again, benefiting us all.
- Responsibility. It is each of our responsibilities to share the load, do what we can to offset unbalance work, and help each other achieve success. We are to do this while operating within the values we hold true.
- Community Service. We encourage and participate in self-sustaining lifestyles, environment conscious decisions, and activities which support our local and global communities.
- Fun! In all things rejoice.
the Collective Exp logo
A summary of this Collective's use of the Rhino logo is such: a collection of individuals who are Free, Grounded, and Stable beings; comfortable in their own skins, whether Solitary or in Collective form; whom actively choose to balance Wisdom, Perception, and Experience; using all - and sometimes unconventional - means possible to effect change; Unify and create a positive Community through compassion, collaboration, and understanding.
The rhino is often pictured white in our logo representing Love; purity and clarity of purpose; coming from a neutral (non-biased) position; White means safety, strength, and heroism; the color white heals the body, mind, and spirit at all levels; White means kindness; It stands for wholeness and completion; Represents openness and truth; white is the perfect color - for it represents all color, in perfect balance and harmony.
the Rhino
The second largest land mammal after the elephant; the rhino's physical presence is massive. Although the rhino is known to display aggressive behavior, it is - for the most part - a passive creature, preferring to roam the wide-open countryside in contemplative solitude. This is one example of why the rhinoceros is unconventional and symbolizes paradox; revealing that things are not always what they seem. Rhino symbolism reminds us to appreciate the expansive bounty we have around us.
It is the rhino's intimate connection with the earth that makes it a perfect symbol for confidence, steadiness, and sure-footedness. Simply put, the rhino is a creature of substance, stamina, solidity, and explosive power. A Buddhist teaching says "Renouncing violence for all living beings, harming not even a one; You would not wish for offspring, so how a companion? Wander alone like a rhinoceros." The verse suggests that a non-violent disposition and an intentional lack of desire for companionship are qualities of this animal and should be emulated.
While we work as a group - we value and understand the importance of solitary space for our individual development. The rhino is symbolic of: Solitary, Freedom, Stability, Longevity, Peace of Mind, Sensory Perception, Grounding, Wisdom, Gratitude, Self-Assurance, Will-Power, Unconventional, and Paradox. The rhinoceros is a solar animal totem - also known as a 'fire sign' animal. This means that it's symbolism can be used to help in the following: Blazing a new trail, Shining with confidence, Illuminating your path, creating a Spark of inspiration, and to Stoke the flames of passion.
the Yin-Yang
The curves and circles of the Yin-Yang symbol imply a kaleidoscope-like movement. This implied movement represents the ways in which Yin and Yang are mutually-arising, interdependent, and continuously transforming, one into the other. One could not exist without the other, for each contains the essence of the other. A picture of universal harmony and the unity between complimentary opposites: Light/dark, male/female, birth/death, friend/enemy, etc... The yin is the dark, passive, female principle. Yang is the Light, active, positive male principle. Such has been the nature of everything in the relative world; duality.
the Heart
The heart has long been used as a symbol to refer to the spiritual, emotional, moral, and in the past also intellectual core of a human being. As the heart was once widely believed to be the seat of the human mind, the word heart continues to be used poetically to refer to the soul, and stylized depictions of hearts are used as prevalent symbols representing Love. In ancient Egypt the heart was considered to be the seat of intellect, the will, and emotions. It is said that the creator first planned the universe in his heart, then with his spoken word called it into existence. It is considered the seat of consciousness. In the bible the heart is the inner person. Hindu believe the heart to be the home of Brahman (the higher-self, or human counterpart of God). Islam sees the heart as the corporeal housing of spirituality and contemplation. We use the icon of the heart for several reasons, including those traditional ones mentioned above. First and foremost, it symbolizes Love. Love suffers no boundaries, it does not separate; Love conquers all. Yin-yang represent duality, the foundation of what our reality has been. The heart moves us forward into Solidarity and Singularity... Unity. We wear our hearts on our sleeves.
A summary of this Collective's use of the Rhino logo is such: a collection of individuals who are Free, Grounded, and Stable beings; comfortable in their own skins, whether Solitary or in Collective form; whom actively choose to balance Wisdom, Perception, and Experience; using all - and sometimes unconventional - means possible to effect change; Unify and create a positive Community through compassion, collaboration, and understanding.
The rhino is often pictured white in our logo representing Love; purity and clarity of purpose; coming from a neutral (non-biased) position; White means safety, strength, and heroism; the color white heals the body, mind, and spirit at all levels; White means kindness; It stands for wholeness and completion; Represents openness and truth; white is the perfect color - for it represents all color, in perfect balance and harmony.
the Rhino
The second largest land mammal after the elephant; the rhino's physical presence is massive. Although the rhino is known to display aggressive behavior, it is - for the most part - a passive creature, preferring to roam the wide-open countryside in contemplative solitude. This is one example of why the rhinoceros is unconventional and symbolizes paradox; revealing that things are not always what they seem. Rhino symbolism reminds us to appreciate the expansive bounty we have around us.
It is the rhino's intimate connection with the earth that makes it a perfect symbol for confidence, steadiness, and sure-footedness. Simply put, the rhino is a creature of substance, stamina, solidity, and explosive power. A Buddhist teaching says "Renouncing violence for all living beings, harming not even a one; You would not wish for offspring, so how a companion? Wander alone like a rhinoceros." The verse suggests that a non-violent disposition and an intentional lack of desire for companionship are qualities of this animal and should be emulated.
While we work as a group - we value and understand the importance of solitary space for our individual development. The rhino is symbolic of: Solitary, Freedom, Stability, Longevity, Peace of Mind, Sensory Perception, Grounding, Wisdom, Gratitude, Self-Assurance, Will-Power, Unconventional, and Paradox. The rhinoceros is a solar animal totem - also known as a 'fire sign' animal. This means that it's symbolism can be used to help in the following: Blazing a new trail, Shining with confidence, Illuminating your path, creating a Spark of inspiration, and to Stoke the flames of passion.
the Yin-Yang
The curves and circles of the Yin-Yang symbol imply a kaleidoscope-like movement. This implied movement represents the ways in which Yin and Yang are mutually-arising, interdependent, and continuously transforming, one into the other. One could not exist without the other, for each contains the essence of the other. A picture of universal harmony and the unity between complimentary opposites: Light/dark, male/female, birth/death, friend/enemy, etc... The yin is the dark, passive, female principle. Yang is the Light, active, positive male principle. Such has been the nature of everything in the relative world; duality.
the Heart
The heart has long been used as a symbol to refer to the spiritual, emotional, moral, and in the past also intellectual core of a human being. As the heart was once widely believed to be the seat of the human mind, the word heart continues to be used poetically to refer to the soul, and stylized depictions of hearts are used as prevalent symbols representing Love. In ancient Egypt the heart was considered to be the seat of intellect, the will, and emotions. It is said that the creator first planned the universe in his heart, then with his spoken word called it into existence. It is considered the seat of consciousness. In the bible the heart is the inner person. Hindu believe the heart to be the home of Brahman (the higher-self, or human counterpart of God). Islam sees the heart as the corporeal housing of spirituality and contemplation. We use the icon of the heart for several reasons, including those traditional ones mentioned above. First and foremost, it symbolizes Love. Love suffers no boundaries, it does not separate; Love conquers all. Yin-yang represent duality, the foundation of what our reality has been. The heart moves us forward into Solidarity and Singularity... Unity. We wear our hearts on our sleeves.