Dr. Alfredo Sfeir Younis was a prinicipal author at the first United Nations Earth Summit held in Rio. Twenty years later, as the world prepares for Rio+20, he presented a talk on the Hopes and Challenges for Sustainable Development at DePaul University in December 2011.
What is Sustainable Development?
Living Our Collective Existence Through Experiential Spirituality
IN A PERSONAL CONVERSATION WITH YOU ~ 2012 IS HERE!
OUR COLLECTIVE EXISTENCE
At this very moment, I have a strong feeling within my inner self that provides the provocation to share some fundamental dimensions of our present human reality.
In fact, most of what I am going to tell you now, you have already heard it from me during the past 30 years. This very transcendental moment represents yet another instance when a new synthesis may be handy.
To say that our life is multi-dimensional in nature is to say very little. However, to attempt to live the multidimensional aspects of life is to open ourselves to our true infinite nature. This is to recognize our ‘container consciousness’. Also, to declare the multi-dimensionality of any aspect of our lives is the simplest thing we may do. However, to self-realize this multi-dimensionality in its entirety is, sometimes, an almost impossible task.
There is no doubt in my mind that one of these dimensions is related to the interplay that exists between our material and spiritual realities. Furthermore, another dimension is related to our outer and inner self.
In this personal message to you, I would like to pay more attention to one crucial aspect, which has to do with the interactive and dialectic nature of our “individual self” and our “collective self” –i.e., being part and parcel of a “sentient beings collective reality” (this is not only a “human collective”). Yes, we belong. Yes, we are not independent and separate entities.
As I have stated in my book, “Another Meaning of Enlightenment”, our Dharma –or, our contract, mission, obligations in this life time—has a dual character or nature: on the one hand, this Dharma is tailored towards us being recognized as unique entities; and on the other hand, this Dharma is also tailored in relationship to every Dharma or mission on this Planet Earth. All our missions are interrelated.
The interplay between our individual and collective nature provides the foundation, and the essence, of our infinite forms of ‘interconnectedness’ and/or ‘interdependence’. As stated many times in the past, our “individual nature” has its own character, temperament, and personality. Similarly, our “collective nature” also has a character, temperament and personality. One goes with the other and both are essential dimensions of human life.
Somehow, our form of livelihood today has emphasized more of our individualistic self. This is very much embodied in most political parties, human organizations, religions and spiritual paths, with particular emphasis on a value system and a package of practices which demonstrate this fact.
We are embedded in the values of competition, hoarding, exclusion, and materialism. These are all ego-centric values, which exalt our individualistic nature. In fact, most education systems are built on this premise: compete, compete, and compete. The ‘me’, ‘me’, ‘me’ type of syndrome is tremendously powerful and has led us to live within the realm of an incoherent and imbalanced life, with internal and external impacts of great proportions.
Where we fail is in our understanding, behavior, and self realization within the collective. The external signs of this failure are self evident: war, conflict, insecurity, inequities, injustices, environmental destruction, hunger, poverty, and more. These realities represent the naked truth that we do not know, and often reject, to become a part of, and contribute to, the collective.
In a very recent poll conducted in my country, people revealed that they are not really willing to contribute much to the environmental enhancement of our country. Despite the fact that we do recognize the great environmental degradation which is taking place here, there is no willingness to do something concrete about it.
During my last visit to one of the most beautiful national parks I have ever visited in the USA, I approached a young couple and asked them about their feelings for that park. They said that it was wonderful and felt close to paradise. So, I then asked them what are they willing to pay or contribute so that this paradise is kept as such. The answer came immediately: “well, I do not know”. This moment was accompanied by a face of “Why are you asking me this question?”
The world economic crisis is a collective crisis of great proportions. In fact, it may be the “do or die” of our human collective as we know it now. There is no one country that will resolve the world problems on its own. Equally, there is no country that will resolve any of their problems without the interaction and willingness to cooperate with/from other countries. Think about the perils of nuclear weapons, and the need to attain world peace and environmental conservation, and the evils of global warming, ozone layer depletion, and human insecurity. They are all collective concerns in need of collective solutions.
Globalization is not just an economic phenomenon, notwithstanding the fact that economics and finances have played a crucial role and have been the main accelerator.
From the reincarnation angle, the value-based angle, globalization angle, technology angle, and human reality angle, our collective existence is now the essential platform to attain our collective mission, as we walk in life from origin to destination.
The great subtle energies that are now here, at this very moment, which will dictate what will happen in 2012, are all embodied in humanity as a collective. What the Mayan Calendar is crying for is A NEW FORM OF LIVING, A NEW FORM OF LIVELIHOOD.
The first step is a deep-rooted change in our habits, and values and beliefs, and in our spiritual life (see below).
It is imperative that you open-up to this collective reality by
- changing the type of human interactions you are engaged in and move to collective interactions,
- changing the individualistic forms of leadership and behavior to ground basic collective forms of leadership,
- restructuring all the key world organizations into a true assembly of people and individuals from all walks of life,
- entering into new ways of conducting life, work, and family relations, and
- contributing to a vision and horizon that are bigger and more encompassing than any of your individual objectives.
EXPERIENTIAL SPIRITUALITY
The only reason for our spirituality is to understand, self realize, and embrace our “human reality”, and the reality of all “sentient beings”. Spirituality is immersed in that reality. Spirituality is to operate deeply in such reality. Spirituality cannot and must not be separated from that reality.
Detaching your spirituality from our human reality, and that of all sentient beings, it is simply to live in an ivory tower.
This is why I teach “experiential spirituality” of both individual and collective human transformation.
This is not easy for those who enjoy spirituality as some logic that calms our inner self and it makes us feel like being someone else or being somewhere else. Nothing is farther from the truth.
Spirituality is a human experience because we live in this material world. This material world is it! It is here where we have to advance to progress in our spiritual evolution later on. Spirituality is a real experience of the inner and the outer worlds or realities.
To pronounce the word “love” is calming. But being love itself in the world represents the true form of inner peace. To proclaim the term “compassion” is also unique. But, to be compassion in all its expressions is the true test of being ‘the other’ without losing your own identity.
For many decades, I have said that spirituality without the right understanding of human reality, including yours, is not a true spirituality.
Furthermore, I have said that individual enlightenment or individual salvation does not really exist. Both, enlightenment and salvation are collective in nature. No one can live within a spiritual silo or separated bubble.
In a recent exchange within the Buddhist Community, I postulated that enlightenment is at the same time an individual and a collective process. And, as a figure of speech, I said that today’s spirituality may be similar to an upside down “funnel”. You do your individual spiritual practices to transform yourself and to enter into the world of human and other sentient beings’ realities, and you are transformed by the collective. Once transformed by the collective, you go back to your individual reality as a modifier or transformer, and get transformed again! This is a dialectic and interactive reality.
You should also know that each profession has this spiritual seed, which is individual and collective at the same time. In medicine it is life. In architecture it is space. In law it is justice. In economics it is trust and compassion. In agriculture it is the law of nature. In engineering it is time. And so on. All have this collective nature in their spiritual seeds.
This is why I have proposed recently that if one is to teach environmental sciences, the real teaching must take place NOT in the classroom but in the waste dumps, sewerage water tanks, etc. This experience will be the key to learning and practicing within our collective reality.
But be aware of the following fact!!! It must be said that NOT all the spiritual practices lead (i) to create sensitivity to all forms of interdependence and, at the same time, (ii) to create the conditions for organized action and self-realization. If our spirituality does not possess these two ingredients together –the sensitivity to all forms of interdependence and the inner will to organize and act — then those practices are not leading to a life in the collective realm.
Many forms of spirituality are neither effective in creating one nor the other.
My personal experience tells me that most spiritual practices today do increase sensitivity, but little or nothing of this “inner will power” to organize and act as a result of that sensitivity. Many people move away from human reality as a consequence of their spirituality (a subject matter I have recently explored in my last visit to the USA).
To say that we should live a collective reality and, at the same time, to teach the people a form of spirituality that will move them away from that human collective, it is not acceptable any longer. Some coherence needs to be found on this matter.
This implies a fundamental proposition that I have been making for years now, and that it is the fundamental element of my foundation: “The Zambuling Institute for Human Transformation”; i.e., that we must mainstream spirituality in every activity of humanity, with particular emphasis on public policy, economics, corporate development, and NGO participation.
Nothing is void of spirituality. But not all forms of spirituality will yield the expected results in public policy, for example.
One of my elders told me that I should never get involved in an activity that does not have a spiritual seed. I fully endorse and recommend such words of wisdom. Practice them!
In a recent debate, I stated that we must move into the total union of politics and spirituality. It came as a shock into the system. How can there be politics void of spirituality, morals, ethics… This is why we are where we are!!
The above principle applies to every aspect of public life.
THE NINE KEY STEPS
Herewith nine key steps:
1. Recognize at all times the collective dimension in all you do.
2. Create an architectural foundation within your life that is always united to the human collective reality.
3. Meditate and dwell in your inner collective nature.
4. Participate in collective forms of interactions.
5. Create and become part of collective forms of wealth creation and welfare enhancements.
6. Found in your neighborhood a truly collective organization
7. Get engage in food production, silviculture, and other food security based activities that are truly collective.
8. Change the educational and health system in your country to bring practices that will augment the sensitivity to interdependence.
9. Mainstream spirituality into public policy and all forms of human interactions within the public domain.
DO IT NOW!
The time to change the world is now. Let us join hands and truly become instruments of a collective form of life that will benefit all the people on this Planet.
With Love and in service to humanity~
Cho Tab Khen Zambuling
(Alfredo Sfeir-Younis)
Alfredo’s Message for 2012 – The Mayan’s are Here!!
THE MAYANS ARE HERE!!
“IN THE YEAR 2012 BE ONE WITH ALL AND ALL WITH ONE:
WHEN REINCARNATION BECOMES OUR INNER SYNTHESIS”
CHO TAB KHEN ZAMBULING
(ALFREDO SFEIR YOUNIS)
Comet Lovejoy captured over Santiago de Chile, 12/25/11
Each year of our calendar brings to the fore energies, rhythms and vibrations of a well-defined “subtle body” (i.e., something not necessarily material in nature, but alive and active), which greatly influences our lives and the lives of all other forms of energy.
Or, said in a different way, each year brings an energy that creates the “fundamental conditions” for a given form (or many forms) of change and transformation; and, within this context, we are supposed to be the ones to seize those opportunities which are given to us by those conditions.
This phenomenon happens also within a given hour, day, and month, or within any other life-cycle or astrological cycle in life.
Thus, it is this experience that gives us a good understanding, for example, of the fundamental notions handled in the Chinese Astrological Calendar, in which the subtle-divine-nature of one creature’s energies (e.g., dragon, rooster, rabbit, pig, and sneak) dominates those conditions within a given particular year.
Another dimension of the same phenomenon is more “spatial” in nature (location specific). One type of energy field is felt more strongly in one part of the galaxy than in others or, with the same token, the same energy is felt more strongly on one part of Planet Earth than on another. It is said that lots of fundamental energy is now located in Latin America’s Andes Mountains.
A third important dimension to consider has to do with the impact of the energy in question within ourselves, as human beings, and also within all sentient beings who are inhabiting this Earth.
In practice, the buffer and possible translations of the effects of those energies will be done in relation to, or will depend on, our level of consciousness; i.e., our capacity as containers of that energy. Each of us has a different size container and, therefore, it will receive and will be impacted in a unique manner.
If our containers are very small, we will simply ignore those energies (and affirm that they do not exist) and, thus, will not be able to take advantage of those conditions. Or, we will feel very uncomfortable with those energies (and will affirm: “I do not know what is happening to me”) and be worried about how those energies are affecting our lives. This will most probably translate into a process whereby we lose our right vision (a radar change) and/or our understanding of the fundamentals of life.
If, on the contrary, our containers are large (i.e., high levels of consciousness), it will be easier to feel, detect, appropriate, manage, enjoy, and use the energy in question and put it at the disposal of enhancing and improving all aspects of our lives.
This year 2012 is a unique one.
Its uniqueness is due to several factors that we are to keep in mind. However, before enumerating these factors (see below), it is essential to recall part of a previous general message I have shared with you for the last several years.
In that message, I have attributed to each of the last several years one form of “reordering” within our lives.
Thus, I stated, for example, that the year 2011 was the year of “reordering” our spirituality (our encounter with ourselves) and our spiritual practices, while strongly reinforcing our inner spiritual warrior.
The year before, it was the year of making peace with the environment and reordering the many forms of interdependence and human interactions that we have with Mother Nature. Thus, it was suggested to diminish significantly the level of environmental destruction and resource depletion that is taking place as a result of our existence on this Planet.
And, the year before that, I said that it gave us the opportunity to reorder our material lives. This would include the economic system and moneys, as well as other material dimensions of the “I have”, and “I do”.
The energies to do those things were there, present, and ready to assist us in each of those years to accomplish the reordering as defined.
What did you do during each of those years? Only you know!
In this regard, each of you should construct some sort of a ‘balance sheet’ and decide whether this type of reordering and transformation was effectively implemented.
On my personal side, things were not all that effective and, thus, since I was confronting a few unattended matters in relationship to the above, I accelerated my reordering processes by taking 4 months of pure silence during 2011. Indeed, this silent retreat assisted me to advance significantly, and I feel much more at peace within myself now, and I am ready to open my arms fully, and embrace all the energies coming in the year 2012.
The essential subtle energy of the year 2012 is that of transforming our priorities within our life, as well as inducing us to implement those priorities at the most refined levels of our Being existence: at the level of the SELF.
This energy means to change, and to change now; in particular, to change from the outer to the inner more than what we have done in the past so well: moving from the inner to the outer.
In many ways, time is up! There is no more time to look, lay back, and think.
To read the complete message click HERE.
Alfredo Visits Occupy and Calls for Societal Change
Listen to Alfredo’s interview on WBEZ’s, Worldview with Jerome McDonnell, http://www.wbez.org/worldview
Alfredo at Occupy Oakland, 12/12/2011
Chilean economist Alfredo Sfeir Younis spent more than 30 years at the World Bank tackling the rights of indigenous peoples, poverty eradication and international trade. Today, Alfredo leads a slightly different life: He’s a Mayan priest and president of the Zambuling Institute for Human Transformation, an organization that works on the connections between spirituality and public policy. On his current tour of the U.S., he’s meeting with “Occupy” protesters. Alfredo argues, in order for humanity to thrive, the world must challenge some fundamental ideas of how we order, value and measure our society.
Alfredo Sfeir Younis in the USA
SPECIAL EVENT ADDED IN WASHINGTON, DC AREA ON WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 14TH AT 7:30pm.
Alfredo Sfeir Younis will offer several public talks during his December 2011 USA visit.
Washington DC Schedule of Public Events
December 5th, SHANTI YOGA at 7pm
Address: 1409 East West Hwy, Bethesda, MD
RSVP at shantiyoga2@earthlink.net
Accessible via Bethesda Metro
“The Experience of Silent Retreat”
December 8th, NETWORK OF LIGHT AT 7:15-9:30PM
Address: 6304 30th St NW, Washington, DC **no parking in cul de sac**
Near Tennyson St NW. Light, Refreshments from 9:30-10:30pm
RSVP at networklight@hotmail.com
“Conversations with Alfredo: Changing our World, Field Notes from 108 Days in Silence”
December 9th, LUMINOUS WARRIOR at Noon-1:15pm
Address: 520 10th St NW, Upper Level, Washington, DC
“True Warriorship in a Transforming World”
RSVP at www.luminouswarrior.com
Accessible via Metro Center Metro stop
202-670-7086
Please join Alfredo on a Pilgrimage to the National Shrine following his talk at Luminous Warrior. For more information, write to us at silentpeace.media@gmail.com prior to December 9th.
SPECIAL EVENING
December 14, MEDITATION CENTER OF DC at 7:30-9:30pm
Address: 3325 Franconia Rd, Alexandria, VA 22310
“Changing the World and Changing it Now”
RSVP AT mdc072@meditationdc.org; 703-329-0350
Chicago Schedule of Public Events
December 7, DePAUL CENTER at Noon
Address: 1 East Jackson St, Chicago, IL
“Rio Plus 20: Hopes and Challenges for a Sustainable Future”
California Schedule of Public Events
Dr. Sfeir Younis will attend several meetings focused on Rio Plus 20, the New Economy and infrastructures for Peace while in Northern California. Meetings in California are by invitation only. If there are changes to his schedule they will be posted. For more information on his US schedule, please write to silentpeace.media@gmail.com.
Tao of Management Now in Portuguese
To our friends in Portugal — Alfredo is in Lisbon.
Join him as Zambuling Institute for Human Transformation (ZIHT) in Lisbon launches the Tao of Management in Portuguese by Alfredo Sfeir-Younis.
Alfredo has several speaking engagements during the week. A couple remain open to the public:
Tuesday, 18 October at 6:30pm – We’ll have the presentation of the ”Tao of management”, Portuguese version. And after, a conference “The True Meaning of Economics and Corporate Development In The 21st Century”. This will be at Casino da Figueira da Foz.
Thursday, 20 October – 6.30PM – at Teatro da Trindade, Lisboa – 2nd presentation of the book, and a conference: “The Spiritual Solutions To The Portuguese Crisis”
For more information and to RSVP, contact Zita at zita.heliodoro@gmail.com
Seeking Human Transformation
A Planetary Challenge Before Rio Plus 20 is a collective means for healing and human transformation. Click HERE to learn more about the challenge.
A Planetary Challenge Before Rio+20
Building our new Collective Destiny
“WE THE PEOPLE”
A PLANETARY CHALLENGE BEFORE RIO PLUS 20!
AN APPEAL TO ALL CITIZENS OF THE WORLD
CHAPTER 1: “TREES FOR PEACE”
1. We recognize that The planet will not be saved by established governments. They have not done so to date and there is no indication that they will do so in the future.
2. Knowing that It will be people –we the people- who will steer a course for all to thrive on this planet with concrete actions and programs that everyone can understand and act accordingly. To each global citizen, the area where you live now must become the landscape for your focused action. This area is where you must apply yourself, as much as possible, toward the greater good. If all of us follow such a strategy we will cover the Planet in no time at all.
3. Understanding that Rio Plus 20 may achieve some goals, it is most probable that the results will result in a collection of declarations. Because of the politics involved, most often than not, these types of conferences take a minimalist approach. One hopes that Rio Plus 20 will be an exception to the rule. Only people’s actions will stir the governments to act in ways that matter.
4. Therefore we appeal to all citizens of the world to unite, and begin to act right now, much before the Conference takes place. Specifically, it is proposed three global programs that you can carry out wherever you live. These programs are: “Trees For Peace”, “Bees For Peace”, and “Greens For Peace” (Vegetable Gardens). This first Chapter of the Appeal will concentrate on “trees for peace” so that all communities may begin right now on the ground.
5. Recognizing that This program will not only contribute to enhance our natural environment (greening the Planet) but will also assist in poverty alleviation and peace building everywhere. This is why it is called “Trees For Peace”. Each tree will represent a symbol of peace.
6. The main goal of the appeal is to plant 10 million trees before Rio Plus 20. This will offer a clear example that “we, the people” may really advance the environmental agenda which is so much needed today.
To read the full article, click HERE.
My Hundred Days of Solitude
“MY HUNDRED DAYS OF SOLITUDE”
In 1967, Gabriel Garcia Marques wrote his famous book entitled “100 Years of Solitude”. Now, it has been translated in more than twenty languages. This is a novel that shares with us the experience of several generations who settled and lived in Colombia. The patriarch in that novel was Jose Arcadio Buendía who founded the town of Macondo. It is a very powerful story that is full of intricate subtitles told in a non linear way. At times it looks real as it fits the social history of that country and, at other times, it is all fiction, with powerful political overtones. In many ways, the novel is very critical, depending on where in history one wants to be remembered. I guess one finds it very powerful because there is something in it that is ingrained in our DNA and in the projections we create of ourselves.
Today, forty four years later, I have lived my 100 Days of Solitude. One person, one generation, and no single country, yet I did witness true historical events, inner intrigues, millions of utopias, a few illusions, and an inner trip to the true reality of the Self. In contrast to Marques’ novel, my 100 days may seem very different, but maybe not as different as it would seem on the surface. In Garcia Marques’ novel, the patriarch, Mr. José Arcadio Buendía decided to found the city of Macondo, as real; or symbolic, in my personal view, depending upon how you read the book. His dream was to create the world with a window to all possible dimensions of what was happening at the time, and bring into that space so many intricate corners of human collective life. In my case, I never wanted to create a new Macondo, however, somewhat ambitiously, my heart and soul have created the inner and outer architecture of a new world, nothing more and nothing less. Of course, a creation that unfolds from my inner space and inner existence, with deep desires to see a new “Worldcondo” to bloom in human history right now.
These 100 Days of Solitude have not been void of some real history and a number of interesting events. Two may be interesting to illustrate and share:
One, was the election of the first female Prime Minister of Thailand, in early July. The whole political process was like “touch and go” from the perspective of civil order. I think Garcia Marques would have had a fit telling the cumbersome and delicate stories around an election like this one. Many interesting protagonists, including an actual King. At one point, this political environment concerned me. But, in the end, civility prevailed and the Thai people have come out as winners and as a true example to be followed everywhere.
Two, I had to renew my visa and the best route to do so was to drive to Burma. So we did, and after a five and a half hours drive going and the same amount of time coming back, we crossed the border, all in a days time. We were assisted by two bonded brothers, or better, by two real Bodhisattvas. They did everything for me; yes, everything. The elder brother went as far as to send word to a local cook in Burma to prepare a full course vegan meal for me. To my astonishment, he had this prepared food with him upon arrival. What a gentleman! What a generous soul. I do not want to say that I was calm and collected when I arrived at the border. I was a little bit intense. But, I realized that all of us were equally intense waiting for the final outcome. It was a total success. Both, the Burmese and Thai people were extremely helpful. My vegetarian food was extraordinary. The trip was long but worthwhile, the visit to one major temple was transcendental, and the driver was impeccable.
This 100 Days of Solitude has been generous and sufficient to see, feel and experiencee so many aspects of my life, as well as, the life of humanity as a collective entity; a theme that I have expoused during the last 25 years. Sometimes, life unfolded as those old, slow-rolling super-eight movies, while at other times it felt like I was riding alone in a fast speed bullet-train with nobody in the cockpit. My Self travelled north, south, east and west. It also travelled to the center of the Earth and to the highest Zenith. I experienced stress, fear, suffering, horror, anger, but also ecstasies, happiness, the fullness of emptiness, immense beauty, pitch darkness, bright light, mountains, rivers, oceans, forests, colors and colorlessness, love, compassion, and much more. I am very happy that what I have learned and taught before this retreat helped me a great deal to cross bridges, climb mountains and swim in hard ocean waters. In some ways I was surprised. Even my knowledge of traditional medicine, shamanism and alchemy helped me immensely in moments of crises.
I spent many days going through my entire life; yes, my entire life. Stopping in some places for hours if not days. Observing myself and others who have accompanied me on this journey. It was so helpful. It was similar to Garcia Marques description and advancement of many generations. Yes, from my great grand parents to my grandaughter; from kindergarten to the end of my PhD and post doctorate, I examined my life. Continuing on from the Central Bank of Chile to the World Bank. And so on and so forth. The path walked thus far is now a huge library of experiences and references for the total reconstruction, evolution and transformation of what is unfolding now and into the future. Many abstract ideas and concepts became real and extremely alive.
The way that I lived these 100 Days of Solitude was not random or gone through from the seat of my pants. There was an approach and an architecture to the days. However, despite all of that, I was frequently surprised by the shifts and turns that occurred within me during these moments of solitude; there was no way to predict the many changes I experienced. Also, it became very clear the nature, sophistication, profundity, delicacy and grace of spirituality. All is perfect, balanced and complete. It is our limited mind that sees something else.
I took many solo flights. But I also became part of a very important squadron a few times. They took me to places as if I were a new, up and coming air force pilot. They put me in a single engine piper and in a supersonic plane too. Not less important was the experience I had inside a satellite capsule, or in a huge rocket, or in a unique spaceship. Like in Star Wars, the equipment and software were extremely sophisticated, including the ability to go to the past and too fast forward into the future. There was a space station called “Present Time”, “Here and Now”, where they kept me for many, many hours. Just to have a taste, so they said. At times, it was very easy to fly: open skies, nice sun light, not much wind, and miles and miles of visibility. Then, one experiences the near and the far, the high and the low, and the tremendous g-force needed to avoid crashing on the ground. Yes, there were many grounds I could have crashed into: heaven, hell. ideas, illusions, values, beliefs, rigidities, filters, ego, deceptions,…, you name it.
One time, my equipment was not operating well, and I landed my plane in hell. It was so difficult to get out of there! This is something unforgettable. On another occasion, I landed in one of the many heavens and I wanted to stay there forever. So, when they asked me to return to Earth, I invented the argument that my plane was inoperable. Well, let me tell you it did not work. They were so gracious with me that I was brought back in a beautiful spacecraft, with driver, full dinner service, and delivered at the door step of my little retreat house. Then, a thank you and farewell.
Time was a major challenge during solitude. Time, which is something you could never define as such, manifested through my state of mind, feelings, expectations, illusions, and in so many other ways. When I was happy, time would run extremely fast. When I was in a different state, time ran very slowly, marking each and every second and millisecond. It was implacable. It was inseparable. It was unavoidable.
All came to a happy ending when I decided to befriend Mr. Time. So, I invited Mr. Time to my little retreat house many ‘times’. My challenge was what to cook for him so that he will leave happy and come back again. In a desperation mode, I decided to ask him what would he like to eat. I expected an answer like: hamburger, french fries and a coke. Or, I am a vegetarian and I would like to eat a Thai curry tofu with wild rice. I do not know, but those were my expectations. But, it was not so. His answer was, I want discipline as a starter, mindfulness for the main course, and, for dessert, I want concentration. How would I cook that? Where are the ingredients, particularly when nothing of that is sold in the supermarkets. Well, I had to attend a rush-fast-cooking school. I did not do that bad after all, as he came to visit many times during these 100 Days of Solitude. Sometimes, the dessert was not good enough but he coped with it well.
It is impossible to live in solitude without a major support from nature. This is a confirmation of all I have shared on spirituality and sustainable development with the rest of the world. All the trees, bushes, grasses, animals, insects, crawling creatures, etc., became One with me and my silent retreat. They were a fundamental component of my spirituality and spiritual well-being. Our ignorance about the true wisdom of nature does not register in this form of inner interdependence. So, the tendency is to ignore this interdependence. In the most difficult moments, many trees will visit, pay respect, and cheer me up. Also, the strong mountain winds would remind me of the need to put my chin up and keep walking, and signaled me not to look back any longer. I move about without outer focus. No radars or GPS systems. I traveled in solitude by moving my attention inwards all the time.
The visitors began showing up at “Worldcondo”from the first moment I arrived. To start, some neighbors were very upset that I moved to this neighborhood, so they would come at night and knock at my door very loudly. They knocked so many times, it seemed as if the door would come completely apart. Huge noises. They also slammed my windows. I did not pay attention to them, so they were not content with my attitude and thus they decided to send me huge rats, snakes, and spiders. This was not an easy time to be in solitude, particularly during the night. Yes, it is my Western mentality and possibly a wrong definition of cleanliness. They also sent me giant ants who would agglomerate in the bedroom and the bathroom particularly during the times I was in need. Then, after like a month, those neighbors left me, and other ones, very interesting and welcoming visitors, came here every day and every night. They sat outside on the little balcony. Sometimes, they took the broom and cleaned the balcony at night. Or, they would take the trash out of the can and put it away, and I would find all in perfect condition the next morning.
Many of them came during late evenings and continued the chat all night. I heard them every single night but I could not understand all they were saying. Lots of songs, lots of laughs, and lots of debates. It was difficult to distinguish their conversations from the wind, trees and all of that which actually moves during those hours of the night.
My little house is very close to a village where Catholics (I believe) and Buddhist compete for attention. The army school too. So, the church would call out for mass every day at ten minutes to five o’clock in the morning. And the Buddhist temple would send forth a call to meditation at five thirty in the morning and evening. Not bad, except when they decided to use their loud speakers to promote their calls. Fortunately, I do not know Thai, so this situation did not bother me too much. If it would have been in a language I understood, then it would have distracted me a great deal. The army had a group of new troops. And as part of the training, the new cadets had to learn how to play different instruments including drums and trumpets which they played at high pitches that were loud and stirring. When they began the course, it was chaotic for my mind. But, later on, when they became good at their instruments, it was fun to listen to them. The army is the same everywhere.
I have been taken care of by my host in an impeccabe way. The food, cleaning and laundry services, protection of the site where I live, the peaceful environment, the immaculate gardens, transportation facilities, visits to temples, and their disposition to assist in every possible way are impossible to describe here. All encounters had a very powerful spiritual content. All had embodied happiness. All was genuine and of immense quality. Everyone has been very loving and respectful. They have done all that is possible to make my 100 Days of Solitude an excellent and worthwhile experience. I do not think I could have found a better family to live among.
There are still fourteen days to go. I am deeper and deeper in silence. This is the moment for silence. This is the moment to fully experience the five elements of life: space, wind, water, earth and fire. This is the moment to experience the nature of the mind and come to closure with a number of inner dialogues. This is the moment to make major decisions. Ths is the moment for cleaning and cleansing, cleaning and cleansing. This is the moment to walk out of the palace of Princess Solitude and enter what people call the real world once again. This is the time when I need to carefully manage every move, and store all the available tanks full of different forms of human energies, which I will certainly need to use as I shorten the distance towards my destiny. I have many teachings that will stay with me forever. One of those is refine the mind, refine the mind, and refine the mind.
I have learned so much. I have been so privileged to receive from THEM clear and key advice, to learn how to use new instruments, and how to formulate a right vision of what we need to do as humanity in the future. At this very moment, all is present to fulfill the mission. To serve humanity. To change the world now.
All of you have been constantly present on my path. Silence was not a means to forget you, even if I did not communicate with you directly. I travelled many places and perhaps to your place.
Like in American football, let me finish with some of the statistics to date: (i) 10,900 full postrations, (ii) 250,000 recitation of mantras, (iii) 1,200 hours of seated meditation, (iv) 100 tapes of teachings, (v) listening many hours of the Japji Sahib, equivalent to one hour for 40-days, and (vi) wrote various books and articles.
Now, it all begins. Well, not actually now, in 14 more days.
With love and to the service of humanity,
Cho Tab Khen Zambuling
(Alfredo Sfeir Younis)