Outdoor Temples	Twelve tall columns surround an outdoor theater under construction now. They are made from the local red clay, and each is identified with one of the twelve major cannons of the Tarot. To the left are photos of the tops of four of these columns, believed to serve as antennai, attracting the energy of the sky. On the ground between these columns lines are drawn depicting a mandala one can walk on for "dynamic" meditation, meaning that during this meditation one walks with a specific rhythm in order to widen the perceptions. Our guide, Sea Anemone, explains that Damanhur's philosophy is based on actions, not only theory, put into practice in everyday life by building the temple and by writing or creating art. At Damanhur there is also a philosophy of change. Change is a constant, for breaking old habits is very important. We walk from an altar built in a small woods that is a temple dedicated to the earth, to an outdoor pool (below) that collects rainwater and also serves as a fountain. Images on the pool are depictions of what our guide says is the first human language, pre-Atlantian. This sacred language was, and is now again, used to communicate the divine forces. Each word, or idea, is expressed in an idiogram (pictured everywhere at Damanhur), a sound, and a step of a dance. So one can write, speak, and dance the language. This language is used during rituals, prayers, and celebrations to communicate the divine in the inner self. A water collection pool and fountain with divine idiograms. As an example of change, the faces below used to be atop the temples, but now they stand along the sidewalk leading up to the main commons in the living area of Damanhur. The smiling faces were placed so as to welcome visitors, the frightening faces to ward off evil spirits, much like the temple guardians in Tibetan Buddhism. A man in the tour group asks why he has seen depictions of every major religon except Christianity. Anemone explains that in the temples there is a hall dedicated to Christ, as there is a hall dedicated to every major religon, but we have indeed seen none of it on the grounds so far. Damanhur has a "synchratic" philosophy, which means that they incorporate aspects of different philosophies or religons with which they particularly resonate. Horus of Egypt is found often at Damanhur, she explains, because of the symbology of welcoming, the victory of the sun, of life energy. Sekmet is also often depicted. It doesn't mean they worship the Egyptian gods, only that they resonate with certain symbols. Damanhur is not a religon, but a philosophy which is the belief in humankind, the inner and outer are part of the same "uni-God." The work of Damanhurians is to reactivate, reconnect with the divine energies, our inner God. "We need Gods," she says, "and they need us. It is a mutual evolution. We also believe in reincarnation, that with each life begins a new path, and the end of it is the departure point for a new experience."
Synchronic Lines	Why here? "Damanuhur was built here because four synchronic lines meet here." These synchronic lines are energy streams connecting different places on our planet and to other planets. The pyramids, Celtic altars, and other important spiritual places have also been built on these lines. The temples of Damanhur have been dug into a hill where four synchronic lines meet. This is the only place in the world where four lines meet at the surface of the earth. Energy and information can be sent via these lines to the whole planet, and that is a part of the work of Damanhur, to send messages of healing and peace to areas of pollution and war. Sea Anemone says that they have done this with encouraging results. I can't help but think about the situation we're in right now, this morning I saw an Italian newspaper, an entire page dedicated to an illustration of all the war machines America has poised to send to the Middle East.
Politics and Economy	We walk to the main house, the first house of Damanur. Forty people live here in three different living groups combining people of different ages, married, single, with and without children. These people form a community and each year elect a president responsible for the spiritual, practical and economic growth of the community. Each week a citizens meeting is held with the president to ensure communication. Each six months Damanuhur votes in new spiritual guides. The "king" and "queen" of Damanhur's spirit, models to follow. These people can be reelected or voted out. There are 50 activities in Damanhur in which one can choose to work. They include many things, from Sea Anenome's job giving tours and translating, to working in agriculture, in art, and any other activity that a township of 900 requires. Citizens may also choose to work outside of Damanhur. I have already met a young man (named Unicorn) who works in Torino for an Internet company. Each morning one sees people leaving for work, and each evening, their return. But many stay in Damanhur. If you are a Damanhurian here is how the finances work. A fixed amount of your salary goes to family needs. A percentage goes to the community and the federation for investment, property, and solidarity. With this system they have build all of Damanhur that I see now, and the temples.
Selfica	What much of Damanhur is about is healing. To this end they have reawakened the art of selfic healing, an ancient discipline that incorporates metal in spiral shapes, structures that attract the energy of the synchronic lines. The selfic device in the photo above is one of the more complex devices, but there are simple necklaces and bracelets that one can wear to attract or repel an energy, such as radiation. There is even a small spiral device to put in your car to help keep your attention. When I first saw these devices in San Francisco I almost laughed. They look like something from an old science fiction movie. These healing devices have been used in the ancient Egypt and Arab world and are being revived here.   < previous | next >