The Community of Damanhur

Damanhur's citizens have created many associations which, thanks to the consistent social and ethical commitment of their members, have been recognized by the Italian government as Associations of Social Promotion. 120 Damanhurian citizens are Civil Protection volunteers, a further 100 are in the Red Cross and more than 20 care for the aged in the Valley.

Damanhur is the practical demonstration that it is possible to create new forms of society: an indispensable pathway to planetary balance in social, economic, and cultural terms. Mauro Parilli of Parilli and Torraco Associated Consultants at the international conference held in Lisbon, on 21-25 September 1997 on 'Strategies for the City- Flagship projects and their place in urban development and regeneration' declared that: ‘Life in the community is characterized by a common philosophy through which a dialectical process is continuously working which aims to nurture the soul in the body to which it is joined. ... Damanhur is a full-time workshop where people of different backgrounds work together towards a common goal, the result being a better quality of life. Can we transfer the same experience to a town? I believe we can.’

Constitution

Damanhur is a school of thought founded by Oberto Airaudi and inspired by his teachings: it is expressed through three bodies called ‘Meditation’, ‘Game of Life’ and ‘Social’. They respectively represent ritual tradition; experimentation and dynamics; and their social realization.

The aims of Damanhur are: the freedom and re-awakening of the Human Being as a divine, spiritual and material principle; the creation of a self-sustaining model of life based on ethical principles of good communal living and love; harmonic integration and co-operation with all the Forces linked to the evolution of Humankind.

The Constitution is the fundamental Charter regulating the Social Body, formed by Damanhur’s citizens. Damanhurian citizens dedicate their life to the application of the principles and aims indicated in the Constitution, and they make a commitment to respect and apply all its norms. The act of becoming a citizen takes different forms, depending on the choice and commitment of the individual.

The Communities represent the ideal form of union and communal living. They are inspired by the principles of solidarity and sharing. The Communities as a whole are organized as a Federation. Communities belonging to different schools of thought may affiliate with the Federation, even though they do not originate from Damanhur’s school of thought, as long as they are inspired by the same aims.

Out of the creation of a Tradition, a Culture, a History and Common Ethics, a People is born.

1. Citizens are brothers and sisters who help one another through reciprocal trust, respect, clarity, acceptance, solidarity and continuous inner transformation. Everyone is committed to always giving others opportunities to aim higher.

2. Each citizen makes a commitment to spread positive and harmonious thoughts and to direct every thought and action towards spiritual growth. Each person is socially and spiritually responsible for every action they take, in the awareness that every act is multiplied and reflected through the Synchronic Lines all over the world.

3. Through community life, Damanhur aims to develop individuals whose reciprocal relations are regulated by Knowledge and Consciousness. The fundamental rules of life are common sense, thinking well of others and the welcoming and exaltation of diversity.

4. Work has spiritual value and is understood as a gift of oneself to others. Through it everyone takes part in the material and spiritual progress of the people, carrying out assignments, as they become necessary. Each citizen offers a proportion of his or her work in activities of common interest. Every task is precious and carries the same dignity.

5. Those who take on roles of social responsibility carry out their tasks in a spirit of service, without looking for personal advantage or serving the private interests of others. Only Citizens residing in the Communities may be elected or nominated for positions of social responsibility.

6. Spirituality, research and ecology inspire all relationships with the environment, through the use of appropriate technologies, useful in improving the quality of life. Every Citizen lives in communion with nature and the subtle forces which inhabit it. Everyone is committed to respect and preserve resources and avoid as far as possible forms of pollution and waste.

7. Each Citizen respects his or her own body, takes care of it and nourishes it harmoniously, refraining from any form of substance abuse. Citizens put into practice rules of life suitable for harmonious physical, mental and spiritual development; they ensure the orderliness and cleanliness of their environment.Each individual is expected to be capable of self-control, of making mature choices and of manifesting purity in thought and action.

8. Damanhur promotes and supports research both in science and art; it fosters and encourages continual experimentation of both the physical and the non-physical, as long as it is expressed in a harmonious form. All Citizens constantly improve their education and widen and deepen their knowledge in the fields of research, art, work and leisure activities.