Storytelling for the children of Damanhur, new songs and sculptures

Hi dear all


Last time I wrote an entry was 11 days ago, a little longer than before. Because I have been busy! In a very pleasant way! In general I really appreciate time..time off... time to feel everything existing. I love tasting the moments and decide just the right time to choose or act on something, feel the magic of the synchronic moment. So normally I could say, I don't like hurrying, nor running. It stresses me quite easily. But here however, it feels different. Everyday and whole day I have meetings, work, actions, things to do, appointments, some responsibilities here and there. I hardly have time to meditate, which is something that used to be a holy moment of my day. But I love it, I do well in this busy schedule. The difference is the energy here. Damanhur is built on the crossing of 5 synchronic lines. Synchronic lines are something like veins through which energy is exchanged throughout the whole universe. Here I don't have to taste as carefully before I decide, the flavours of the highest energy value of a certain decision are easier to recognise! I float here! Only a thought and an emotion, a fantasy, a wish is like a vessel that takes you. You can move easily on desire, in stead of on strenght. At the end of a day I am still full of energy, but not in a way that drains me, I just feel fullfilled and peaceful to have a good night sleep. I even managed to let go of my 'need to take a shower before sleeping'-addiction. I can also sleep now whithout showering off disturbing energy.


Some really nice things have unfolded for me last week. I have performed with an Italian puppeteer, Lucia. We translated 'Jacob wordt Piloot' (my picture book) in Italian (..Jamie sognava di divertar pilota...if I remember correctly :-) I had brought my travel size decor from The Netherlands (a big book) and used this for the performance here on a book-market in Vidracco. Lucia told the story in Italian, I played guitar and sang a few songs that we had translated in Italian. I also did some small voices in the storytelling. I was quite nervous for this challenge since I have hardly any experience with guitar playing on stage since I play for only 6 months now. But it went well! It was a really nice performance and Lucia was really fantastic! The children were enthusiastic also! 


The collaboration with Johannes (the Danish musician here in Damanhur) is really fruitful! We have created some really nice songs together last week. Gitta, a Dutch new lifer, has published a wonderful poetry book (in Dutch) about a month ago. She really writes great material!! Check it out: Gitta de Vries (http://www.boekscout.nl/shop/ViewProduct.aspx?bookId=2833) Last week Johannes and I have made 3 songs based on 3 poems of Gitta. I'll ask if Gitta if I can post it later. I recorded it with my iPhone, but still I'm quite enthusiastic about the result! Also I gave a little concert this week for some visitors, me and my guitar! 


I just visited a nucleo, Rimera, where some really nice people live, a guitar player, a musician of several medieval instruments, a photographer, a graphic designer, some painters...they also have a music studio and a wonderful piece of land with three lakes! It was a real pleasure visiting!


Next week I'm assisting a sculpturer here to give some workshops on creativity and sculpture making. He gave me the opportunity to assist him, so that I can learn something about it and maybe start a fruitful collaboration!


Wonderful! I'll try posting some pictures and songs next time.


Speak soon,
With you, love Karin

Creative developments..mural..italian song..& possible project

(picture of a DH-house that will be renovated..they buy lots of houses like this and renovate it)

Dear friends,


Another week in Damanhur.. One update per week doesn't really cover all the experience I have here, but I love sharing some of the things with you. Let's start with today.. I have started working on a mural. A few weeks ago I had already made a sketch for it. It's in the "new life room", this is the room for all the people who have the three months stay here. We have courses in the room, or just spend time reading, working, Skyping. We wanted to change the room a bit to add some of our energy to it. The way I have gotten to know the community life thusfar also means: asking yourself what is your unique contribution to the group. In what way can I step forward and give to the collective? 


For instance, one person of the group (Karen) has knowledge of eco villages, has been a teacher and has written several books (on bicycle rides). She participates in a project in Damanhur to write new material for the courses on building ecovillages and for the new life group she has written a document full of useful information for new arrivals. Someone else contributes by giving acupuncture treatments to anyone that could benefit from that, another gives healings..etc. Of course you also contribute to the group by just being there, by the things you say or the energy you give (for instance introducing a group hug in the morning etc etc). My contribution has been singing and painting up till now. 


Yesterday was a really nice example in that perspective, at a goodbye party of one of the group. Some of us asked me to sing a song at the party. I had brought my guitar, but I didn't feel very comfortable at that moment. I didn't want to steal the light from someone else who had just sang a song and I just felt a little shy. Maria-Pilar and Karen said very audible...'Karin Karin...you sing yeah yeah!!'..I replyed, a little in stress, 'no no hush hush..be quiet..I don't want to!' Then Karen looked at me, smiling, and said the memorable words 'This is not about you, you have to do it for the group!' Think about this remark what you want, but I am grateful for it. I sang two songs, one Italian song I had written the day before (of which I was a little proud to be honest..I mean..in Italian :-) and that was really great. People were so happy with this contribution to the evening. I feel grateful that the people around me encourage me to show my colors. I know this, and here it is put in practice, you have the responsibility to step forward in life. Your talents don't just belong to you. If you can, express it, use it. 


Today I decided to make the mural. And it is going nicely! I will certainly post a picture as soon as it's ready. And definitely the most exiting news and experience of this week has been my appointment with someone who is working on an giant international project here. I might be able to hook up in the field of my own expertise, writing story's (in pictures, music, book-form, etc) for children. I'll keep you informed of course.


About how I feel, I'm doing well. Emotions go up and down now and then, because it is quite exiting to be in a place with a total different culture, where most people speak a language I don't feel free in yet, and although I'm surrounded by many people, I really walk my own path here and because I am so exited about this place I am also sometimes confronted with a little nostalgia. The idea and experience of living my life here on a distance from people I love so much. 


Well, that's it for now! Some more pictures here, of my room in the nucleo, one of me when I was walking around in the mountains near Vidracco and the last picture is of a nucleo that is covered with solar panels, solar heating etc)

Much love!
With you!
Karin