Sandstone Retreat: Part IV

Based on Ideas: The community's beginnings are based on the philosophical idols of Williamson and his outspoken wife, Barbara, Alabama-born John Williamson, an engineer by training, is a former project manager with Lockheed Aircraft who worked on design and management of missile support systems, including development of the Polaris missile. In the ear;y 1960s, he opened his own electronics company then sold it to buy Sandstone in 1967. Barbara Williamson, 32, is a former insurance saleswoman.

Williamson's belief is in "non-structured experiental proxesses which contribute significantly to the release and actualization of positibe human potential." Simply put, do your own thing to the fullest and enjoy the process. n addition to being an experiential community, some of the residents also say they consult with various organizations on developing a community process within businesses, reiigious organizations and at least one private psychological clinic.

Accoding to Williamson, ther outside work helps organizations look upon ther employees and management as a community, and Sandstone people are available to help them develop a community sense in their business-but without the sexual overtones. How much apllicability Sandstoe has to the outside world is debatable, but Wiliamson believes the community's message is important, serving to point up the true if unconventional nature of people. He also believes it is not for everybody.

"But," he said, "we should be able to accept a;ternativew within our social structures. Society is too complex to support only one lifestyle. Our life, the lives of all of us, are changing." Sandstone, he added, is not looking for people to live on the properry. "We're looking for people to become individuals through Sandstone," he added. "You really don't have to live here to get what you need."