Hippie: “What does this term ‘Hippie’ even mean? I hate that word and everything that it stands for. Hippie- like I am the square among the rounds.”
Wind: “So you don’t like dressing up like a hobo and completely detest complying with the
norms of capitalists and the rule-makers? And do you also dislike losing yourself and your worries in music carefully selected from meeting beautiful strangers as you inhale/inject/swallow illegal substances?”
Hippie: *takes a long sip and pauses* “Well, I do like all of those things. But so does everyone else? Does that make the world we live in a hippie land?
Wind: “One delusion at a time buddy. What do you think is the etymology of ‘Hippie’.
And calm down, put down that Google. It will diagnose a disease you don’t have, and that’ll be the death of you. I will give you the answer instead. Mr.Dylan and I co-wrote that song for a reason.
Hippie: Ok. Go on. I am whistling. listening….I mean listening.
Wind: ‘Hippie’ comes from 2 words- Hip and Hypnosis.
Hippie: I get the ‘Hip’ reference. Even Shakira knows that come what may, hips don’t lie. We really, don’t y’know. Or are you just saying that we are just witchy smug assholes?
Wind: No you idiot! Well yes, when you try to discuss world peace and astral projections in the same psychotropic breath.
Hippie: “Are you being mean? Cause honestly, my radar sucks at picking up mean. It’s just a hippie thing.”
Wind: “Shut up and listen. When I said ‘Hip’ I meant being in the know of things and feelings. Urban dictionary it for later. Being more knowledgeable and cognizant of the world you live in and the world that lives within you. Information and insights light up your neural pathways, short-circuiting between the visceral and the cerebral divide.”
Hippie: “Then why brand us as the stoned-smiley, pot-smoking delusional outsiders?”
Wind: “Oh that’s just so they can sell you all the hipster crap when they run out of new ideas. Target Profiling and re-cycling baby.”
Hippie: “Since when did you become a corporate douchebag?”
Wind: “It’s all the pot you have been smoking! Where do you think all that smoke is going?
The amount you smoke is stratospheric! See what I did there? ”
Wind: “So anyway, I explained ‘Hip’. Now comes the Hypnosis. When a person has the ability to understand the pulse of the world and the reality of it all, they try their best to stay out of the trap door.
They hypnotize themselves and each other to maintain the sanctity of the truth they unearthed and have no one brainwash them. It’s kinda like knowing you love and need a drug but also being smart enough to know the right amount of intake that you need to not turn your body into a slave to it.”
Hippie: “What if the reality we believe in is nothing but a delusion?”
Wind: “Well then the delusion is worth living in, don’t you think? It’s better than the delusion other’s compel you to foster.
It may be a delusion but it’s your own.
Like the dog, you play ball with. The dog may not know what the ball is for but together you have weaved a beautiful delusion where both of you play ball and love it.”
Hippie: “So I hear what you are saying and it makes sense but isn’t all of it true for most people today? How is it specific to only hippies? Have you seen and read the stuff Will Smith’s kids tweet about?”
Wind: “So here’s the thing noob, the hippies are everywhere and they are not resorting to identifiable characteristics. It’s happening and they won’t even see it. It’s no conspiracy really, it’s just the way we are headed, a new order. They are all high on life.”
Hippie: “What do you mean?”
Wind: “People everywhere are unhappy. They see through the mirror now and it’s someone they don’t like. The politics, the government, the rules, the inequality, they see through and understand it all.
And what happens when someone gains knowledge of things they don’t necessarily like?”
Hippie: “They try to either create a parallel delusion/diversion and tribe to block out the negativity or stay in it and slowly and steadily try to overthrow it.”
Wind: “Absolutely. And that’s what’s happening. They are all high on something. Even when they have no clue! They debate and protest against regressive ideologies and policies on social media. Travel to places for music and detachment every 3 months.
And the best part, all of them have alternate plans for life. A budding, nascent plan, but a plan all the same. Keeping the hypnosis active.”
Hippie: *happy with this revelation* “So there are many like me and I am not alone and there’s nothing wrong with being a hippie?”
Wind: “Of course not! The hippies are peaceful invaders and they are everywhere where there is compassion and knowledge. They may not always look like ragamuffins, but you’ll know one even in a 3 piece suit by the gleaming wisdom in the eyes and an opinion.”
Hippie: “What about the stereotype about drugs?”
Wind: “Sometimes when you know and understand and feel too much, you gotta survive and brave the infinity with nonchalance.” So it could be pot, books, sports, movies, science, metaphysics, or social media. Whatever works.
The drug only likens our desire to break away from the territoriality of humanity. To feel like free citizens, to permeate through time zones and mind waves like flies buzzing through perforations in Swiss cheese.”
Hippie: *picks up the bag and starts to walk* “Alright then. This was splendid. Breeze by again soon.”
Wind: “Where are you off to? And what’s in the bag?”
Hippie: “Oh I am off to the hippie convention, a rager happening at the equinox also known as elections: the only time of divine equilibrium. And the bag has my usual supplies- books, questions, dilemmas, music, green tea, and smiles.”
Wind: “Wow! Would you look at that? You don’t sound like a noob no more!”
Hippie: “I already knew everything you just told me. I was just testing how high you could go.”
I am Wearing:
Boho CropTop by Koovs
High Waist denim bell Bottoms by Koovs
Neon Belt by InkFruit
3D Cartoon bag by Krafftwork
Funky Square Sunnies by BlurStore
Thanks to the talented and amazing ladies in my life for this one.
Photography by Neetu Pankaj Singh and editing by Kavita Gupta :*
The Burbak Gypsy 