Working on bilinguality with the children and personal changes

Dear friends,

I have finished my third week working for the Damanhurian school at this moment. It is a great experience to work with the children here. Working as a teacher is somewhat different then performing for them or doing a workshop. And of course the language is the greatest challenge and experience. They speak and understand Italian, and because they have an English speaking teacher now, they start learning that language. For that alone I could write a blog of my experiences, about the developments in their language and in the character of our communication. Every morning we sing songs together and during the day I hear them repeating that. Or sometimes when I meet the outside the school I hear them singing 'Happy Birthday' to their parents over and over. Also I hear them using some words now and then and when one child understands what I say and the others don't they start talking about it amongst eachother. I get some help from them in that way. Singing with them is really fun, reading stories just from looking at the pictures is great too. Especially when I see them repeating my body language and gestures when I am telling them the story. The children are in the age of 3 to 6. I am eager to find new ways to teach them new things in playful ways. The other teachers are super too. I learn a lot from them and the way they are with children is beautiful and the creativity they use is inspiring. Also, we really form a nice team. So, I am fortunate!

Here are a few drawings the children made, inspired by the story of Jamie, about their dreams.

The last month has been a challenge sometimes too, because the changes made me feel a little insecure now and then. Coming back from Holland, getting used to the fact that this community is my new home. Everything goes step by step. I feel very good at this moment though.

Yesterday I participated in a fashion show here. Beautiful cloths with designs of mostly selfic paintings.


Selfica is a technique widely used in Damanhur for healings, for personal growth, to create harmony, to improve ones concentration while driving a car, to travel in time.. Many things! It basicly comes down to a collaboration with forms of existence form a reality in which the speed of light is the slowest speed they can observe. These beings consider happenings in our linear time perception as objects. They can easily see the effect of some events and in that way they can help us in choosing the things that are in line with our intentions. For them it is very interesting to experience our reality, like our emotions, and our time perception. Using techniques of spiraling copper and mixing some paint substances the Damanhurians make some kind of contracts with these beings. These materials (the copper and the paint) are used in jewelry, in paintings and even in buildings, chosen by the user of these objects in order to focus on a certain goal. I wear a couple of these bracelets and they truly are amazing.

Next week I am leaving for Holland again, for several performances of 'Lila en de Toverkoffer'. Maybe we'll meet sometime.

Love to hear from you too,
With you,
Karin

New Life period is changing into something new

Dear friends,

Today it is exactly 3 months ago that I arrived in Damanhur. Today is the first day I don't participate anymore in the schedule of working the fields, following the courses, having batito's (literally 'heartbeat', a weekly get together and update) with the other 'New Lifers'. The last months I have been feeling this end of this period coming closer and I have made decisions on where to move after this first trial period. I have decided to stay here. Last week we celebrated the Solstice, the 'zonnewende' in Dutch. The moment the of the longest day of the year, the moment the distance between the earth and the Sun stops changing and the Sun changes direction in respect to the earth. A moment of opening. A moment in which all on earth aligns. Nature with cosmos. I decided then to choose to stay here. To apply for citizen A, as it is called, to be an active participant and inhabitant of the community. The next day I was invited by the school to work for them in August, as a trial period, to start making the Damanhurian school a bilingual school. I am very exited about that and very grateful that this great opportunity has arisen. I will work for 4 hours per day. The rest of the day I will be working on other projects, like creative projects I wrote about before.

I have had the most incredible experiences last weeks. Of course the decision to stay here has been very impressive, my father has visited Damanhur, and I believe I haven't written after my mother and Nanette (my sister) were here. They were happy to be here and could very much understand that I feel in place here. It was wonderful to share this with them. I have experienced details of past lives, in a course I followed last weekend and I have visited newly found crop circles in the vicinity of Turin yesterday night. That was truly an amazing experience, especially to channel their messages together with the other people we were with.

This afternoon I have a meeting with Katinka, a great Hungarian actress. She wants to perform in Hungary with the concept of Lila and the Magic Suitcase. I am really exited to make arrangements for that too!

And now I am so fulfilled, and also ready for a break! The next 3 days I will be at the beach, near Genova. And in July I'll be in Holland for a while. I hope we'll meet soon,

With you,
Karin

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

Course Inner Personalities and Music Studio

Dear Friends I wish you all a happy Queens' Day! I can totally relate to people living abroad doing much more 'Dutch stuff' than when being in Holland.. Like eating Herring, meeting other Dutch people to watch a soccer match or..for that matter.. celebrating Queens' Day all dressed up.. Not that I'm actually wearing orange clothes, but today and yesterday I'm feeling slightly more nostalgic..homesick..because I know you are having a party without me! But..I have been having a good time last week here! I hooked up with Johannes, from Denmark, to make and record music here! He is, together with some others, working on setting up a music studio here. Really great!! It's a really nice place, a recording booth and a control room with great equipment. In the recording booth the atmosphere is fabulous..with selfic paintings (selfic is material that has special spiritual conductivity), it is decorated in Mediterranean style, north African, and the place is scattered with instruments from all around the world..flutes, drums, string instruments, all kinds of rhythmic instruments, Celtic air instruments..lots and lots of kinds. Johannes and I are working on music that's a blend of our own musical baggage and of traditions and philosophies in Damanhur. Up till now it is fun and I like our raw products a lot. As soon as we finish something I can share it with you. Have no clue when that will be though. And this weekend I participated in a very interesting course on Inner Personalities. Based on the research from Damhur regarding esoteric physics, several theory's and research has been done on the characters of everybody with a so called human soul. The course was given by a neuro-cognitive psychologist who has integrated these philosophies of Damanhur in her own knowledge. The course gave a really great understanding of both the spiritual and the physical, cognitive and emotional experiences of people. The idea is that you consist of many different personalities with their own interests. The personalities drive the bus, which is you in your body. Each personality taking a turn after the other as the driver. These personalities should learn to cooperate in order to use your energy efficient and to use your potential to an optimum. Living in a community can help you to get a better understanding of how to deal with different drivers within yourself. Right now I'm going to prepare the dinner at my nucleo. Together with Paul, a 'house mate', from Chicago and also new life citizen. Love to hear from you too With you Karin

Dancing..Music..watching Captain America..

Hi All!
This weekend was filled with entertainment.. Damanhur is not particularly a place that puts goal-less entertainment on the agenda however. The dancing this weekend was at a Roman Catholic Celebration - st George's day. Every Catholic Saint gets his own festival in Italy, I can imagine. But Saint George is a special protective saint for the village of Vidracco. At the municipality the people of the village ate together and a settante/ottante-band was playing (70s 80s music ;-). I was the first to jump up to go to dance! Some new found friends here joined me, really nice to dance! Afterwards we went to a charity concert at Damanhur Crea (a venue from the community) where an Italian singer/songwriter played..sorry that I forgot his name!..it was beautiful! I had missed this! To enjoy music that is just for the sake of music, emotion, expression.. As I have said earlier, in Damanhur everything is so connected to spirituality and many other dimensions. I hadn't realized that I missed this pure music experience like this. And just now..and this was really over the edge :) I saw Captain America on DVD, in my nucleo. And since my days here are so filled, of course I spend the rest of my weekend going to the temples, working in the garden, doing some fixing in the house, going to choir practice, going to a lesson on the history of Damanhur.. But also, I almost forgot another party this weekend, on Friday, we had a group diner and party to say goodbye to one of the New Life group members (this is the 3 month program I participate in). Dear Marielle is going home, after 3 months, back to the Netherlands. She was here to write on her anthropology thesis. Just sharing some leasure time experiences this time..
With you

Learning and experiencing the community philosophy of Damanhur

Dear friends

Last week I participated in a project, in the form of game, in which we learned and really experienced about the philosophy of Damanhur. A project in which I learned lessons about operating as a group, about being well within a group, about the grow process of and within a group. And I also learned about my own transformation. The way the activities were designed were so clever that it was the best lesson in how to learn the basic priciples of building a community, the Damanhurian way. And also it was for me personally, a great mirror to know where I stand in my life and why I am here now. Part of this project is not to tell too much about it, so it stays an authentic thing for everybody who ever may decide to also step in these shoes. So that everybody can experience it in an authentic way.

I am really grateful to be here, and I feel as if I get a better understanding of how to become a master creator in life. This is not only as an individual, but more, I learn how to be an authentic being a group, in a community, and how to navigate and create your own game, your own life on earth. Just to play the game of life as a creator! Together with others!

In this process of learning about Damanhur, I also feel very connected to myself en therefor to you too. I am looking forward to hearing about your lifes and about what you are doing..so hope to hear and read from you again soon as well!

With you,
Karin