Klarity Blog

Claire’s solo adventure in Italy; I set off for The Federation of Damanhur, in Valchiusella, Italy. This was to be my week for exploring a community demonstrating a new humanity.________________________________________________________________________________________ I am skipping over Brisbane, Auckland and Christchurch as the entire trip has been a whirlwind of non-stop work, travel, all-day workshops, events, teleconferences, and some sleep. I have not had a moment to think about writing a blog, so I will share the glorious week off I had and the new dimensions of healthy, happy living I discovered at Damanhur.______________What a privilege to visit Damanhur.______________________________ On Oct 3rd, I left Auckland, New Zealand, making my way to Italy, flying half way around the world, by way of Dubai. This was a journey that had me in the air for a total of 27 hours, including five take-offs and landings on five planes. The whole trip took 37 hours. Was it worth it? Absolutely. It was a dream of mine to visit Damanhur, and my next stop for work being in London allowed me this luxury. I was more than satisfied with all that I discovered there._______________________________________________________________________________ I would like to share Damanhur with you, since it is a place that many people have not heard of, and the power of what is transpiring there deserves our awareness and full support. __________________________________________________ A quote from the Damanhur Guide (www.DamanhurGuide.com) sums it up one simple way, ______________________________________________ “New forms of society are possible and practicable. Damanhur is a prime example of this. New social models are indispensable pathways in the search to create new planetary balance in social, economic, human and cultural terms.”______________________________________________ One thousand people live in and around the very green Valchiusella Valley, in the lower Alps of Italy. Six hundred of them are Damanhurians. They have chosen this location, as it is one of two places on earth where multiple synchronic lines cross, creating a rare opportunity for researching time, and healing, and other benefits. The other place is Tibet. This dynamic matrix of energy pathways carries ideas, positive intentions and dreams out along its lines. _____________________________________________________________________________ Within Damanhur, there are 44 separate ‘families,’ as they are known, each living together with about 20 people in one house, including single people, couples, and children. Part of Damanhur’s constitution states that everyone has their own personal space, and this is a very well appreciated reality. Within each house in the Federation, there is also privacy, where one can recharge for the adventures of this new way of life in community. Each “family,” or house, has a specific project they are all committed to working on. One is focused on renewable self-sustaining energy. One is dedicated to educating the children, and running the schools. One is oriented to produce organic agriculture, and the list goes on.__________________________________________________________________________________________________ One day, I was very grateful to be given a bunch of paints and allowed to contribute to enhancing a gigantic ocean mural on a wall of one of the buildings there. It was great fun, especially being left alone to create after the briefest encouragement in a few Italian, and, even fewer, English words. I added many shades of green and yellow to give depth to seaweed that had only been painted in one color._____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ There were more than a few things that were impressive to me about Damanhur. The scope of their work and dedication is awesome. Damanhur was started 32 years ago, founded by Oberto Airaudi, also known as Falco. The thread of Spirituality, Spiritual research, and art is evident in the artistic expression that overflows freely there on homes, the lands, the business buildings, and inside the studios, shops and galleries. ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Even the personal relationships had a heightened quality and ease to them. I heard so much authentic laughing, in so many locations around Damanhur, it became a defining characteristic to me. The people I met were instantly real, generous and caring. I was given support to find my way, to explore the art center and shops, to great waterfalls and hiking in Fondo, and to meeting people who could offer me insights into their lives in a way that was meaningful to my life’s passions and explorations. I made an apple pie from the trees I found along my long walk down a mountain to the river where I enjoyed the company of a herd of sheep and goats for a while. I was invited to share a home cooked meal with some other travelers in a comfortable private home in Val di Ky, the original name of the Valley. I appreciated the atmosphere of people enjoying their work, fueled by passion and united in purpose. The results were clear. Damanhur adapts and continues to evolve on a daily basis from what I understood. Nothing is predictable and they enjoy the fact that they are demonstrating one possibility for peace on earth. ________________________________________________________________________________ Certainly, art is a universal language and source of inspiration. The most incredible thing I have ever witnessed is The Temples of Humankind, an underground work-of-art depicting the history of all humanity in murals, mosaics, sculpture, stained glass, painted glass, sacred language and music, and Selfic structures that are aimed specifically at creating well being. One mosaic floor, in the Labyrinth hall, took ten years to create. The Hall of Mirrors filled with Sacred Music for a meditation. It is not a place that can be described easily, as it has its own Soul and needs to be met and experienced in person.________________________________________________________________________ The first hall was started by chipping away at the rock of the mountain by some curious and determined Souls with a vision. Now there are halls that are equivalent to a five-story subterranean building carved out of the inside of the mountain. Artisans, artists and builders have collaborated to excavate and create a tangible demonstration that draws from all sacred traditions to celebrate universal spirituality.___________________________________________________________________________________________ Rituals that correspond with equinoxes and the full moon are the norm. The Open Temple, at the Welcome center site, became an elaborate Oracle ceremony on the full moon, with an open fire on a stage, and Damanhurians in ancient ritual robes. Questions from the people had been written on paper and asked by the people a month earlier, and were now answered by The Oracle. There were many women in flowing costumes performing sacred dance, and a thousand people of all ages filled the rows of the outdoor amphitheatre, warm in the cold night air, under blankets. My friends and I were cuddled close together. It was cold. This is the lower Alps after all.________________________________________________________________________________________________ There is a school of meditation, the core of Damahurian life. The Game of Life guides the community to keep life fresh and interesting through elaborately orchestrated “large scale games that help to upset equilibrium of social situations, breaking through habitual barriers of rigidity and conformity that hold back most personal and community development,” as The Damanhur Guide says.____________________ Damanhur has a university and many businesses, including its own construction company that builds only with environmentally sound methods and materials. They have their own natural food store, carrying many of their own products, produce and all non-GMO-free groceries. They even have their own laboratory for molecular research where they test every item in the organic foods store to ensure it is GMO-free. __________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ They have their own currency, their own schools, and teachers, and a community Spirit that felt more like a global human family than just some group that got together. There is an international population with a sophistication and intelligence that serves their dedication to creating a new model for humankind to embody. All ages, all choices, are supported within an evolutionary framework of common sense and Spirituality. Quoting the Damanhur Guide again, ________________________________________________________________________________ “Damanhur is now setting a standard for long-term, practical applications of ethical and philosophical principles. Those who embrace the Damanhurian way of life vow to implement such principles into their daily lives in order to live a richer, fuller and more active existence, not just for themselves, but for the greater good of Humankind.”____________________________________________________________ There are many ways of being connected with Damanhur. The Valchiusella Valley includes Damanhurian houses as well as an international community and the many generations of local Italians. From Damanhur Guide, “Valchiusella is becoming a reference point for a new Renaissance of human, social and spiritual values.” Valchiusella Valley offers a place to live nearby, being connected and contributing to Damanhur while also having independence. See www.valdichy.org for further insights. There is also a global network for anyone interested, called “The Spiritual People,” and their home is considered Damanhur Territory, blessed with clear energy, abiding by the Damanhur constitution, including no smoking inside or outside anywhere. This is open to anyone and allows one to be connected wherever they are, and to participate at a level that is comfortable for them. ___________________________________________________________________ For visits, they have 3-day, 7-day and two-week opportunities. Contact the Olami Welcome Center with your inquiries and requests (Welcome Center phone #: +39 0124 512205). _______________________________________________________________________________ Many people speak English, and all are patient and kind, I found. If you’re lucky, you’ll be able to catch an Italian class. Anaconda teaches Italian classes at Damanhur Crea that are more like a fun party than a class, and they are very helpful. I managed to take two classes in my one week there, and although my Italian is pitiful, the Spirit of the class, and Anaconda’s joy playing the guitar and getting the whole class to sing out, piu forte (more loudly) in Italian will be a cherished memory forever.