More on the most recent issue of “What Is Enlightenment”; I mentioned in my previous post about the article on “Damanhur: Unearthing the secrets of a thriving utopian experiment” (what is enlightenment: Issue 36 April – June 2007).
So, this community has been secret until the past few years, operates under the untimate control of one man, integrates Eygyptian Mythology among other mystical teachings and kicks out people who are “disgruntled”.
OK, now in my definintion, this is not a “utopian experiment” it is a cult! I would love to sit down for a “heart to heart” with the members who have been kicked out and see what they have to say about this utopia!
I actually had a belly laugh when reading that the head honcho, Oberto Airaudi, aka Falco says he reads a book a day. “That’s fabulous for him”, I said to myself, “he is obviously not the one caring for the children!”
This whole secret thing and the Eygyptian mythology connection also gave me the creeps! I don’t know alot about Eygyptian mythology but I do know that the Horus, Osiris, Isis triangle is filled with weird sexual connections, which seemed to be an ok thing at some point in mystical history but certainly is not ok for any reason in the current day.
So, in the “enlightened” publication of “what is enlightenment” we have another community profiled as a “utopia”, which is headed by one powerful male figure. Out of five communities profiled in various articles, 4 are headed or founded by one powerful male figure. In what way is this “enlightened” or moving towards a utopian future?
Riane Eisler distinguishes the dominator model from the partnership model in the following key word comparisons (pg 183 “The Partnership Way” Riane Eisler and David Loye 1990): fear-trust; win/lose orientation-win/win orientation; power over – power to/with; male dominance – gender partnership and so on. I have considered it a given that in enlightened and or evolved publications the partnership way is understood as the respected and ideal model.
I feel like “What is Enlightenment” is in retrograde!
Am I the only one who feels this way?
zoey
coach . catalyst . shakti sage
life & business coach for women
A few brief points:
* The community itself was never secret; The temples in the mountain were secret. The plan was to surprise the world, when they were done.
* Damanhur is not “encapsulated.” They interact vigorously with the outside world, and they invite the outside world to visit as well. They are politically, socially, and economically engaged with the outer world.
* The question “Who is caring for the children?” brings up an interesting point:
Damanhurian Constitution, item #12:
12. All citizens educate children in order to encourage them to become autonomous and free individuals, giving them all the necessary instruments to express and develop their own characteristics, applying common pedagogical guidelines. All resident citizens participate in the education of children, and in their care and maintenance.
Having visited, I can assure you that they take this _very_ seriously.
I would add that Damanhurian kids are required to leave Damanhur for a period (I forget how long – I think it’s at least 2 years,) before they can join Damanhur – and should they choose to do so, they do so as a beginning person, making a first free choice.
Damanhurian kids go to public school for their equivalent of high school.
Damanhur is certainly utopian in aspiration, but it is not for everybody, and nor does it *try* to be: Difference is very highly valued at Damanhur, and that applies to societies, as well as individuals. Part of the Damanhurian dream, I believe, though, is that there are communities all over the world, of myriad different makes and types, working to refine unique dreams and ideals. This is what I have gleaned from my visit and their texts.
On the point of gender in governance, I would point out that there are both Re Guidas and Re Gui (“Queen and King Guides,”) and that the mayor of the nucleo that I stayed at is a woman.
I encourage you to found a society yourself..! It’ll add to the count of “woman founded societies,” and bring us closer to our ideals.
A few brief points:
* The community itself was never secret; The temples in the mountain were secret. The plan was to surprise the world, when they were done.
* Damanhur is not “encapsulated.” They interact vigorously with the outside world, and they invite the outside world to visit as well. They are politically, socially, and economically engaged with the outer world.
* The question “Who is caring for the children?” brings up an interesting point:
Damanhurian Constitution, item #12:
12. All citizens educate children in order to encourage them to become autonomous and free individuals, giving them all the necessary instruments to express and develop their own characteristics, applying common pedagogical guidelines. All resident citizens participate in the education of children, and in their care and maintenance.
Having visited, I can assure you that they take this _very_ seriously: Every adult takes turns caring for children. And all adults contributions go to children’s education and expenses.
I would add that Damanhurian kids are required to leave Damanhur for a period (I forget how long – I think it’s at least 2 years,) before they can join Damanhur – and should they choose to do so, they do so as a beginning person, making a first free choice.
Damanhurian kids go to public school for their equivalent of high school. Before that, their schooling is centered around travel, going at increasing distances as the children age. It’s very important to the Damanhurians that their kids see other ways of living, and thinking, so that their kids can find a way that is most like their own inner nature and aspirations. Damanhurians are acutely aware that it’s not necessarily going to be Damanhur!
Damanhur is certainly utopian in aspiration, but it is not for everybody, and nor does it *try* to be: Difference is very highly valued at Damanhur, and that applies to societies, as well as individuals. Part of the Damanhurian dream, I believe, though, is that there are communities all over the world, of myriad different makes and types, working to refine unique dreams and ideals. This is what I have gleaned from my visit and their texts.
On the point of gender in governance, I would point out that there are both Re Guidas and Re Gui (“Queen and King Guides,”) and that the mayor of the nucleo that I stayed at is a woman.
I encourage you to found a society yourself..! It’ll add to the count of societies founded by women, and bring us closer to our ideals.
A few brief points:
* The community itself was never secret; The temples in the mountain were secret. The plan was to surprise the world, when they were done.
* Damanhur is not “encapsulated.” They interact vigorously with the outside world, and they invite the outside world to visit as well. They are politically, socially, and economically engaged with the outer world.
* The question “Who is caring for the children?” brings up an interesting point:
Damanhurian Constitution, item #12:
12. All citizens educate children in order to encourage them to become autonomous and free individuals, giving them all the necessary instruments to express and develop their own characteristics, applying common pedagogical guidelines. All resident citizens participate in the education of children, and in their care and maintenance.
Having visited, I can assure you that they take this _very_ seriously: Every adult takes turns caring for children. And all adults contributions go to children’s education and expenses.
I would add that Damanhurian kids are required to leave Damanhur for a period (I forget how long – I think it’s at least 2 years,) before they can join Damanhur – and should they choose to do so, they do so as a beginning person, making a first free choice.
Damanhurian kids go to public school for their equivalent of high school. Before that, their schooling is centered around travel, going at increasing distances as the children age. It’s very important to the Damanhurians that their kids see other ways of living, and thinking, so that their kids can find a way that is most like their own inner nature and aspirations. Damanhurians are acutely aware that it’s not necessarily going to be Damanhur!
Damanhur is certainly utopian in aspiration, but it is not for everybody, and nor does it *try* to be: Difference is very highly valued at Damanhur, and that applies to societies, as well as individuals. Part of the Damanhurian dream, I believe, though, is that there are communities all over the world, of myriad different makes and types, working to refine unique dreams and ideals. This is what I have gleaned from my visit and their texts.
On the point of gender in governance, I would point out that there are both Re Guidas and Re Gui (“Queen and King Guides,”) and that the mayor of the nucleo that I stayed at is a woman.
I encourage you to found a society yourself..! It’ll add to the count of “woman founded societies,” and bring us closer to our ideals.
Thanks so much for such a thorough and informative comment!