Damanhur

August 20th-29th, Ivrea, Italy. Such a hiatus since our last post. We moved from the self-reflection of Tamera to the esoteric wonderland of Damanhur, a community of 1000 members tucked across 2 valleys at the base of the Alps in Northern Italy. Damanhur, founded by a artist Oberto Airudi in the early 70's is a veritable theme-park of spirituality...and for good reason. They are strange bedfellows with the Vatican and a very conservative political party who have not easily tolerated their sometimes occultish presence. Their way is clear, "we make our own way". They have their own sacred music, language, dance, and artforms. Their productivity is off the charts. The 'theme-park' packaging (i.e. bright signage, great PR, advertising, and a customer service feel) keeps the dangerous accusation of CULT at bay. Many small groups whose beliefs have veered from the dominant path have suffered the crushing blow of CULT branding, and the Damanhurians have fought long and hard to avoid a Koresh like confrontation with the Italian authorities. They are consummate entrepreneurs, with many, many small businesses under the umbrella of their cooperatives, the only legal status that represents the kind of social structure they've created. The most extraordinary aspect of the community, however, are the Temples of Humankind, 12 huge caverns dug by hand from the mountainside upon which the community rests. kept secret for 22 years, they are now a recognized World Heritage Site and are an incredible testimony to human spirit and passion for something Greater.

Next stop...Cinque Terre for a couple days then Findhorn in Scotland...