Sabine Lichtenfels - in the Name of Grace

DIARY SABINE LICHTENFELS

COLOMBIA GLOBAL CAMPUS

// February 2010

Here you find the diaries of Sabine Lichtenfels.

Follow the link below to the website of Tamera for more diaries from other participants.

Saturday, 6th of March

Farewell.

For a few minutes, I sit alone in the village and enjoy the silence. How seldom we had time for a few minutes on our own!

Inside myself, I feel greatly touched. I am full of gratitude. Grateful that we had protection and could provide protection. Grateful for the many conversations and contacts.

Once more, the spiritual ring of protection had formed, in addition to any questions we have for creation, in addition to all the turbulence of the sou, that asks again and again: How is it possible for people to kill and even dismember other people? What happened in the soul that people are capable of such cruelty? In all its simplicity, I see the only way: it is love, compassion and the opening of hearts, even in difficult situations, to create the joy of life.

There is only one way of survival: that people come back to this simple truth and solidarity from the heart.

In order to understand how deep the division is and to understand how simple the divine source of love and truth is, it's good for every peace-builder to visit such a crisis area one time. To learn what is happening in your own soul, if you meet people who are treated so cruelly. What happens in your own soul, if you begin to love them, and how the soul will be looking for deep answers.

What does it mean to create a magnetic field of healing in this context?

All of us, especially those who were here for the first time, had to go through the gate of doubt. All of us had to realize with shock, how protected we are in Europe, and recognize that there are no more excuses. Our world, the Western world, is partly responsible for what is happening here! Much more than many of us want to admit.

The products we buy: How many people are tortured and/or expelled so that we have our wealth? How can we connect the planetary communities in order to create the field of global education that we desire so much?

Yesterday, I received a letter from the Austrian "Versöhnungsbund". They propose that we join forces with them in order to give more people the opportunity to visit San Jocecito. Yes, I would be grateful if we could form a movement here. Not only do we help them, they also help us to settle on the fundamental truths of life and love, and think and apply them everywhere.

How powerful is the truly open heart, which is no longer shy in front of the large corporations and governments. How powerful the motion, if trust, truth and solidarity become the base.

It tk a long time before the full confidence was gained.

First discussions are taking place, where the Indigenous people are opening carefully and telling their true stories. Already at age 12, young people are being seduced and lured with money to work for the mafia of drug trafficking and smuggling of coca. Once started, there is hardly a way out. They live in constant danger. If they are discovered, they face the harshest tribal punishment. If they want to get out, they are also risking their lives, because they know too much, and they are destroyed. What is our responsibility, as we act in the name of healing and forgiveness?

What if young people among the paramilitaries suddenly realize, what a mad system they are part of? Is there a way back for them?

They are almost children, and are tempted to kill others because they are paid a bounty. And they are encouraged by a president has convinced many people in the country that he supported peace.

A peace pillar stands in his garden, the same one that many in the peace movemen havet. What is this peace, that inlcudes threats, killings and so-called "security" by paid, armed men?

The Peace Community of San Jocecito is almost like the little Gallic village of Asterix, that with all its "naivete" steps out of the system of violence. It is touching, when suddenly, after hours of wandering through the jungle, you meet the sign at the entrance of the village of La Union. There, at the gates of San Jocecito, you read the words: "private property. It is forbidden to carry any weapons in this village whatsoever. We do not take part in any way in any form of war. "

Thursday 4 March 2010

At six in the morning we left Los Mulatos. We arrived in La Union, after a six hour march. This was a challenge for me, because I feel weak. Still, I've eaten nearly nothing for four days. But prayer and vision have helped me.

However, compared to our pilgrimage last year, it is quite alright, and it is a good exercise for inner vision work. Arley asked me to go in front along with Bladimir, which did me good, as I had to be strong, and there was no time for complaints.

They showed us three places where people have left the path and stepped on a mine. It is such an absurd situation: We are walking through beautiful forests, nature surrounds us in wealth and splendor, and yet it is not accessible. On the way, we pass the military camps, and there are probably guerilla hiding in the bushes.

Oh, human being, how alienated you have become!

But in many places, the road is beautiful, large, red fleshy flowers are on the sides. Some large trees remind us of the original forest. Bladimir shows us his place of birth, a small wooden shack. Louis Eduardo lived in the immediate neighborhood.

The farewell was moving. So many hearts have opened up in time.

After my talk about love, which I had begun with a quotation from 1 Corinthians, there was some turbulence. Some responded with upset, especially a man who is new in Consejo. He was afraid that the youth would become too exited. Yet I spoke with the tongues of angels and very carefully. But I am used to the fact that our subjects always reach a limit. I was more than grateful when Arley later told me that he is very happy and satisfied and that he has noticed that this issue has done the youth well. A member of the Consejo admits to me later that the days with us here were the happiest time of his life. In a women's meeting in the evening with Bori and Phoebe, it was quite easy to raise the theme of love. The women know that it is the core issue. "Most women here are in the very early stages of pregnancy," they say. I ask whether they stay with the men, and they say no. No, by then the men have left them. Lucia says: "Actually, it is absurd that we tolerate so much. There is only one woman in the Council. It is essential that we learn to speak, and above all we must help the youth."

Lucia is a beautiful woman of 31 years with two daughters, who are already 15.

It is a very opening meeting and we regret that it was not possible earlier. One woman says that she has joined the community because they had the hope that they would come together for community and a non-violent struggle. My performance, when I had sung Venceremos in the Kiosko, reminded her of that desire. She explains that her own son was attacked a few days ago in Apartadó, that he was stabbed with a knife from behind and wounded. The man wanted to kill him, but there were others who helped him. Then, we went to the house where the man lives. His mother came out and said that she knew that her son was not a good person and that he has done other evil things. "If you want to kill him, please do not do it in my house."

Silvia told her then that she did not want to kill the man, because they come from the peace community. She did not want revenge. She was glad that he escaped and that nothing worse happened. They would fight for life. What joy to see early Christian souls!!

Back to the last day in Los Mulatos.

We have actually managed to complete the work on the Cosmogramms for the stone circle! Now, one stone stands for the balance of forces, another for the ring of power, one for the unification of different cultures and one stone for youth. We have set up a beautiful fireplace for the ring of power. This is a great start!

On the stone down the river, where Louis Eduardo was captured, there is an emblem made by Bladimir. It shows a tree that looks a bit like a man. It is cut down, but its roots are so strong that it can not be killed, and a new shoot is coming out of it.

At the entrance, there is another emblem showing a torch-bearer, sitting on a seed and carrying the light. Enormous, what power these two pieces of art have!

In the group on ecology, architecture and technology, Bori, Christopher and Bernd have created a site plan. They have turned out to be real urban planners.

Under the leadership of Ben, Roberto, Saskia, and Juliane, the youth group made the whole school beautiful. It has a futuristic appearance in the middle of the jungle. It is touching, how much the youth have contributed.

We conclude with a final prayer to the stones. Then, we start packing and there are last talks. Suddenly, we are all called again to the Kiosko, the great venue. Now, there's a surprising and moving Closing Ceremony. So many overflowing hearts that it's hard to endure. It's huge, what has happened in those few days of opening the heart and confidence. An alliance, which hardly can split seems to be growing. Let it germinate. Let this place become a true and comprehensive result of the global campus.

Tuesday 2 March, 2010

The days are coming to an end. One feels sometimes like being in an emotional washing machine. Yesterday, we heard the speech of the former Bishop Dario Soto from Medellin, who came to visit us with his wife. The community has been waiting for his visit for a long time. He is a very committed man. For the two of them, the climb was so difficult that it took them two days, and on the last few miles, Jesus Emilio carried the woman on his shoulders.

His speech is moving. He describes how he has worked with street children, as he has separated more and more from the institution of the church and is now in the process of starting his own communities. He got married a few years ago and says that the law of celibacy is not acceptable. He gave a lively discourse on Jesus as a revolutionary and that the Bible indeed suggests, that Jesus now lives on in all people who are engaged in creating communities.

He talked about gays and outcasts, about women and their way as priestesses... a true revolutionary. He talked about the fact that there are, of course, difficulties with Rome, but that there are also some who give him courage and tell him that he is exactly on the right track.

His wife is moved to a vibrant Christian community here. "The earth can only survive if they develop communities that build the spirit of consistency and genuine respect for all living things." They also talk about contact with Mother Nature.

Monday is the day of the Ring of Power. In a speech, I introduce the ring of power, speak about the work on the stones and the cosmograms and about the movement for a free world. Early in the morning, we light the fire, and I have the impression that the village is slowly charging with energy.

Then we have a day of meetings with the Conseijo. Eduar again expresses the firm confidence that he has toward us and that he has the feeling that nothing can separate us. He speaks movingly about the fact that he had visited many communities, and almost all have failed due to the topic of love. I tried again to explain how deep is the battle of the sexes and that it is a global issue to really come to truth and trust in this area.

In the evening, we asked Eduar to give his vision of Los Mulatos in three years. How deeply he is taking up the planetary thoughts! He says that he knows that there will be a difficult situation and that he does not know whether they will all still be here when we come next time. But since they are in such close connection with Tamera, they know that their vision will live on, whatever happens.

Ben and Martin passed out our gifts. I give a short performance in an invented language on the topic "Los Mulatos in three years." I have just enough of not being able to speak the language, and an artistic presentation helps me over this bottleneck.

Eduar then hands me the cross that they made after the murder of Luis Eduardo Guerra. He says that nothing can ever separate us and that they want to give us what they hold most sacred.

I take it, very moved, and search for words. It will probably find a place on our altar. We now come very close to the soul of Louis Eduardo. He has fully grasped how deeply you have to get out of the system, if you want to end the violence on earth.

I give Eduar my necklace with the ring of power symbol as a farewell gift. He said he wanted the emblem, and for me it was very clear after some struggles, I want to give him something that is very close to my heart. He would like to participate every Monday in the ring of power.

We go to bed early, because this day has once more moved into our souls.

Today, the bomb that some children had found a few days ago was defused. For this, the military came to the place. Jahel of the Pueblo of Defonseria had to go alone to lead them to it. Now we had the question of whether one of us should accompany him. They said, very frankly, that it was dangerous, since the guerrillas were in the area. But Mafu and Andrea were ready to go along. My inner voice made it clear that nothing will happen.

We went into prayer. What if something happens nevertheless? This is the situation they are living in daily. On the way, they see a snake.

After two hours they are safely back. "A smoke bomb," you tell them calmly. But it is the same type of bomb, which has killed people here.

Sunday 28 February 2010

The first part of the Global Campus is over. According to most people, they are very happy and they all say that they have learned a lot. Their hunger for knowledge relates, understandably, more on the practical field, because they really need to know how to get light, plant the gardens and build.

Patrick gave a wonderful lecture on the topic of health. It was simple, yet very complex, which also made the social and political thoughts very visible. Saturday was a day for saying goodbye.

The Padre has left us. Surrounded by many indigenous people, he rode down the valley. What a man! How he combines revolutionary acts with humility and the power to reconcile. That is unique. He is truly a person seeking the truth. Bernd's presentation on water made him so excited that he immediately used it when he gave a talk on the next day.

He let go about a cup of water. Each was asked to say a simple statement of thanks to the water. Then he asked someone from the indigenous people to say something about the earth. He also always finds a nice way to include others, so that they do not feel excluded.

The coming days will be devoted especially to the youth. What is it, what will they want from the generations that follow us?

A conversation with two women in the peace community: It was touching for me yesterday to see how deep the theme of reconciliation is working here. I suddenly felt reminded of the early Christians. "We need to understand that God is also in difficult situations for us. He is also in the dark, not only in the light. There are very few people who still know that they are not alone. "

From here she gets strength:

"Forgive your enemies, for they know not what they do."

She speaks with passion about the temptations of Jesus in the desert. She always lights up more and describes how she has observed a small seedling, and thankfully has found that God is always everywhere, but that we generally do not notice.

The other woman who has been sitting here listening to the conversation now begins to speak. She speaks of the desperate situation, when her husband was murdered. She was left alone with three children and suddenly became very ill. She had infinite pains in the face and head, and no one could help her. Sobbing, she starts telling me how their children were sitting in front of her, hugging her and saying, "Mom, you can not die, too." Suddenly, one of the children said: "If God exists, then he can help you. We need to pray properly".

They fell on their knees and prayed. They fetched water from the river, prepared a prayer. They laid their hands on her head took a little water and prayed fervently. Suddenly she felt something like a breath of wind on her head. Something was pulled out of her head and the pain was completely gone. It was unbelievable. Even later, when difficult situations arose, she remembered that God exists.

I seem to be in the middle of early Christianity. It is always touching to think with what authenticity, autonomy and intelligence, the people think and talk.

There are more and more people taking up planetary thinking. At the top is Eduar, but some others are also starting to think these thoughts more and more.

Of course, I often think about the questions: What really arises because of the full protection?

For me, today, it's almost impossible to imagine that we could fail to keep these people here from destruction.

I would like to leave the stone-setting, together with the beautifully decorated fireplace, and let the fire from the ring of power become an increasingly common facility.

Saturday, 27. February 2010

In the evening, I'm still sitting in the restaurant to write the last words, for our friends will walk up the mountain tomorrow morning to send off the next message. So many more core experiences are tumbling through my head.

Children who find a bomb in the middle of the road!

The military, which runs past here in the valley.

Misreporting in the press on the death of Louis Eduardo Guerra.

Besides the incredible break strength. The cheerful mood of the people and the joy of learning and study.

There is so much to say. In all, you realize that we are making a deep path, always associated with fever or mild diarrhea. For us, it is a new experience to constantly be so close to death and yet, so close to life.

Eduar gave a moving talk, when he told us about the life of Luis Eduardo Guerra.

Discussions in small circles over the question of what happens after death?

And his speech about the future was moving. He is,mentally, very close to the idea of the planetary community.

Firday, 26. February 2010

It is early morning. All around us are the sounds of jungle birds and the whistling of many roosters. The first chattering and singing people are emerging from his hammock, after more or less sleep. At night ,the bodies try to digest what they have learned during the day. Some of us are already sitting in the little schoolhouse for the morning study and meditation. In one hour, the morning attunement for all will start.

We are in the process of creating international understanding. I begin with a meeting with the Nasa. It is clear that they all hope that we will help them as much as we help the peace community here, and it takes a while for them to understand that it is the greatest help for everybody that we help Los Mulatos to become an initial training place for all. But it seems that more and more of them can see that we are a small, unique peace community, which deals with all our difficulties in a large global system of violence just like them.

After a powerful start for the Global Campus and the first introductory speeches of Father Javier and me, which I have kept in feverish condition, the group splits. The greatest interest is naturally in the areas of solar technology, ecology, health. Every day, we meet intensively for one hour with the core group that wants to build Los Mulatos. Its plans have to be drawn, the water situation is examined, it needs proper planning, almost like a master plan for the site. All are committed to it, even the indigenous people think intensively: Where is the place for the animals, how can the water leave the site cleaner and livelier than when it entered? Which plants are medicinal plants? They want to make plans for the monastery garden in the chapel, a small village square, school and library, kitchen, restaurant and lounge. Of course, a football field should not be missed. All this in the middle of the jungle with no access roads, with a first little path. It feels like the early pioneering days of Tamera and something more extreme. They really want a kind of natural chapel and meditation area.

Thus, Saskia, Bernd and I are working on the preparation of a small nature temple with a fireplace where they can make the fire for the ring of power on Monday mornings.


Sunday, 21. February 2010 



Today, once again, we commemorate the people who were killed. A prayer at the place where Luis Eduardo Guerra was arrested. The padre told details about the situation, they try to create the memory as vividly as possible. 



In the middle of the river, in the place where he was arrested, we again heard the interview with Luis Eduardo Guerra. He was an intelligence resistance fighter who tried to show the farmers and all the displaced people an alternative. 
"We will not be the only community, the world will see our brothers and sisters worldwide that are connected with us in dignity, solidarity and communal life," are his words. People from the Tamera community look at each other in silent joy. Yes, life goes on, we are in the service of a great worldwide movement that is dedicated to the life, truth and compassion among us.


Then we go to La Respalosa, where another family had been murdered. The Padre says: "Anyone who dares to create something truly new, will face great opposition, we must learn to live without fear and not let ourselves be intimidated." 
In his speeches, he creates an image of Luis Eduardo Guerra as someone who has followed the message of Jesus. "Nobody can take my life, I give it when it is time to recover it." 



Again and again I can only look in awe at how they try to deal with so much death. If I were in their situation I would know of no better way. They take it as a source of strength to connect to a larger vision and ideas that would normally have no chance in this difficult situation. 



This morning, a young man came to us, Julio, who has been shot in the leg some time ago. He came to us with a cheerful energy and said that he absolutely wants to come to Tamera. "That which you see here," he said, "is a gift to you, because it was inspired by you." 



Sometimes I see examples for studying the principle of the magnetic field. In December, when they started building, we studied the theory of why and how a new piece of information reorganizes all the parts of a whole. Each particle knows its place and knows where it belongs. That is what seems to be happening here. The entire community has been formed anew. They have gained a new focus and new enthusiasm. That gave them the power to create a small miracle and build half a village in such a short time.

Saturday, 20. February 2010 



In the early morning, the pilgrims moved to Los Mulatos. At five o'clock, we got up and started on our way. The evening before, I did not know whether I would be able to make the long walk, as each step hurt my back. I went into deep vision and prayer. 



Somehow, I was able to make it, because I knew that my inner guidance wanted to have me up in Los Mulatos. The community had been moving around me, Patrick gave me acupuncture, Ben gave me a back massage, Bernd gave his spiritual support, Saskia brought food and similar care, and Bori played the Comandante and made sure that I did not do too much. I felt loved in a beautiful manner that was beneficial. 



In the morning my back still hurt, but I felt better anyway. The sky was overcast, and at night, it had rained for the first time in months. It seemed like a blessing. 



I connected with the vision and power sentence: "I am the power, the ease and health, which manifests itself through me, because I let them work through me." 



It was like a miracle, I could actually implement the vision of this pilgrimage which I have prepared for months. Last year, it had brought us all to the limit, and so I had trained myself  over and over again to envision that we all would indeed be physically exhausted and challenged, but that we would make the way with ease and joy, much easier than last time. 



And so it was. My back was very mobile and I was able to go up the hill with steps that would have been impossible the day before. The path was, for me, a unique prayer of thanksgiving. The whole day was cloudy, so it was not so unbearably hot. 



My thanks also applied to the fact that we were able to assist the community of San Josecito on this, for them, historically significant day. For the Padre, it was the day for which he had been waiting for years. 



They have prepared the whole event very systematically: first remember the past and heal it, and then take a glance into the future... traveling toward the future after having seen the sadness and the pain and not denying it. After an approximately seven-hour march through beautiful forest areas, which impressed us mainly through its various sounds, we arrived in Los Mulatos. 



What a surprise. I was speechless. In the place where, the last time, there was only one ruined house and a small wooden chapel at the place where Louis Eduardo Guerra was murdered, at exactly this place, there was now a whole square. It looked like a "test field" to me. A large Kiosko where we can meet, a school building which now will be used as a restaurant, several smaller kiosks for various people there to hang their hammocks, and a wooden house in which a small group of people already lives. The way is neatly framed with blue and white stones. Benches, simple laundry cabins with buckets and temporary toilets make it possible for the Global Campus to actually take place. 



Again and again, they said that all of this was inspired by Tamera. They want to start a political Ashram and run a station for the Global Campus. 



Interestingly, this place, as it is set up now, immediately evokes the joy of thinking. And it has revolutionary strength and charisma. They were able to build it in such a short time, and that shows me that they really want something... courageously, forcefully and decisively. 



The Padre says, this is the way that we continue the life and work of Luis Eduardo Guerra, who was murdered here. It had always been his vision to develop alternatives to the system of violence. When we construct a peace model here, then we are showing that life is invincible. He lives among us. 


16.2.2010

An hour before the bus trip to San Jose. Next, in short words: a powerful encounter with Gloria Guartas, who starts now to campaign for the Left Party. We were impressed once again by their global thinking. Also noticeable, how many impulses she has received in Tamera and included in her political actions. She hopes to become - together with her friend Piedad Cordova, a woman with charisma - a senator in parliament.

She also knows that their chances are not very high, but she laughingly says that we must leave no stone unturned. She is a true politician with a heart. Her commitment comes from compassion. Her her reports that young people are now openly encouraged to become informants were shattering. They are offered money when they name friends who are in the Guerilla to the secret service.

Gloria showed a moving image of all of South America. She sees the most positive example of effective political development in Bolivia. Here, the government is encouraging the process of building public, self-sufficient communities. The constitution of the government expressly demands a collaboration with the forces of nature. The large corporations are outsourced.

In the evening, a very friendly visit to Taita Orlando Gaitan. He was very clearly happy to see me. The communication was not quite so easy for me, because we had to speak in Spanish English and German. He represents the wisdom of Colombia and is very obviously a channel for the transformation process.

Today, I had an eventful night with lots of dreams. I woke up three times, because I had to breathe deeply. As a result, I feel rather porous and weak, but spiritually very open. I'm curious to see where this goes.

The morning attunement, from which I have just come, was beautiful, and as a sign of resonance with the soul of the country, in the moment when I finished the meditation, a small hummingbird circled about us. Miguel said that these are usually very shy birds.

I perceived it as a true shamanic soul that watched with curiosity what we were doing there.

15. 2.2010 Ring of Power in the courtyard. Momo-Jana speaks powerful words. It is a strong feeling to know our friends in Tamera are connected to us.

In the morning, we have a conversation with Fernando. He tells us what happened to him since he returned from Tamera. Different worlds met. We get more insight into the difficulties and hopes through which he has to work. He came to believe that he can not stay with us. But we were able to experience a first miracle. Fernando opened up more and more, and with the decision to tell us everything, other doors opened up. Eventually, we succeeded in reaching the Cabildo, which is] the Government of the Nasa, by phone, which had not been possible for months. Previously, they hadn't wanted Fenrnado to come to San Jose, because he was not a public representative. Now, the supervisors agreed and said that they want to help resolve all misunderstandings. The grandfather, who had been sick so far, was well that now the decision was take that Fernando will be with us.

It seems to me a deep story of guidance. It is as if life gives us such encounters, so that, together, we can climb to the next higher level of order.

14.2. 2010

After the first night, we celebrated a little morning attunement on Sunday morning, in the courtyard of the inn, a beautiful little garden, where countless herbs and flowers remind me of a monastic garden.

I take the leaf of a flowering yarrow in my mouth. The beautiful surroundings give[s] me the wonderful feeling of having arrived at home. Great and powerful, the soul of the country emerges in us.

The group is in a cheerful mood of expectation. Last things are taken care of. In a geistig hour, Martin leads us in a beautiful way into the history of Colombia. We encircle again and again the question: What is our contribution to healing in this country? How can we, as a small group of people, help so that people in danger are protected?

In the afternoon, a small group travels to a mountain peak. Monserrate was built at an elevation of 3200 m with a church that honors the Black Madonna. The Madonna was probably brought here from Spain. All over, the country tells the story of colonization. On the summit of the mountain, telephone towers are erected, two of them curiously in the shape of pentagrams.

In the church of Our Lady, I linger a while. It gives me a nice opportunity to connect with the soul of Colombia. It feels as if it is connected with the Andes, and I feel deeply involved in the fertility of the continent. We sat in silent meditation for a while before the Madonna with the Child on her lap; the sovereign has his three fingers upwards to remember the trinity.

Suddenly, I feel the call to acquire a small figure to be placed in Tamera in front of our small altar. I find a small shop, walk in, and right behind me, the door is closed. I come just before closing time. And there I see a small black Madonna, which is adjacent to a character who looks remarkably like Fatima in Portugal.

In the evening, the group meets to rehearse Spanish songs. Bori and I lead thoughtful discussions on the question: How healthy is our relationship with the indigenous population?

13.2.2010

Late Saturday evening, Barbara Kovats and I arrived in Bogota and were warmly greeted by our group in the pension Amandamahi. Margerida, the head of the board, has managed to create an oasis of calm and strength in the middle of the city. We were the last of our group. Fernando from the Nasa Indians and Claudio from Brazil had arrived already. In the evening, we had our first exchange. The group talked about their visit with Taita Orlando Gaitan, who had invited them to a ritual that is performed regularly here in Bogotá. It took place in a beautiful new temple in which the prophecies of the Mayans are honored in the decorations on the walls, as are the signs of early Christian values. They celebrated the whole night in the manner associated with the sacred forces of Mother Earth.