Uses a thematic approach to explore the therapeutic norm, the confrontation communication, and the nature of commitment in a small contemporary commune. Focuses on the behavior of prominent individuals. (MS)

The result of 6 months' observation of an American Taoist commune, this paper examines and interprets two episodes of confrontation, involving the persistently antagonistic Chinese director of the commune and one or more members, as a way of making sense of commune culture. The paper first examines the assumptions and values with which the…