30 Sep 2009 |
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 In late September 2009, Antilope Verbena traveled to Japan for the first time to lead the course Transformation of Memories: Learn to Navigate Your Own Rivers – “rivers” referring to the formative influences that shape the events of our lives. The objective of the course is to identify and transform early conditioning that has brought one to interpret events in a certain way. This transformation allows one to live in a way that is more aligned with happiness and wellbeing.
Fenice and Dugongo, the Damanhur Ambassadors in Japan, had organized the course. The two Damanhurians have founded three successful centers in Japan, and they have also published a book on Damanhur in Japanese.
After the course, Antilope had the opportunity to enjoy the beauty and modernity of Japan, appreciating the hospitality of her hosts and the cordiality of the people, as well as the precision and orderliness of the culture. She visited the Golden Pavillion and other temples on her journey, and enjoyed the diversity of the cuisine and cultural stimulus. |
Fifty-four participants were present in the course, which was a record number for Damanhur in Japan. The course was held in Kyoto within a very beautiful structure, replete with wooden houses for meditation and tea ceremony, and an inspirational Zen garden. Using intuition and humor in her teaching, Antilope succeeded in engaging with each participant in this cross-cultural context, bridging language and lifestyle differences.