In September, I’m returning to the Temples of Humankind in Damanhur, Italy. It feels like an understatement to claim that this is a place of power, mystery, and majesty.

Yet, I’ve found this to be true for myself and those I’ve met who’ve traveled within the extraordinary to the Temples and the community of Damanhur. All of this was founded on such lofty dreams that they are almost unbelievable, yet there is a thriving community of 50 years which suggests otherwise.

Every component of the Damanhurian physical structures, philosophy, spiritual practices, businesses, and community living are built around an intention to empower the reawakening of humanity.

So all beings may recognize their Divine nature, activate their extraordinary potential, communicate directly with the cosmic wisdom, and participate in living in harmony with nature and one another.

It sounds lofty, familiar even, given such intentions are shared by many people on the planet. “Now is the time and we are the ones.” That is sentiment for some, an intellectualized idea for others, and a daily commitment to engage an innovative, radically new way of being for a few.

Damanhur was founded by Oberto Airaudi, known as Falco, who also served as their spiritual guide until his death in 2012.

Not viewed as a guru, but rather a man who had reawakened ancient memories, researched alchemical technology, and encouraged others to awaken inner mastery through study, research, shedding the societal conditioning, and expressing their higher human potential.

There are many fantastical stories I could share about Falco and what he and many Damanhurians have achieved. That’s the type of discovery and mastery I’m talking about. It’s fantastical and apparently quite possible. If you’re interested in journeying to Damanhur with me in September, you’re going to hear about AND witness manifestations of these stories.

Falco was 10 years old when he had a vision of a new civilization with extraordinary temples at the center of the dream. (What were you dreaming up when you were 10?)

As he grew, Falco remembered ancient knowledge, experimented as a healer, artist, philosopher, and alchemist, and explored the potential for bringing this dream into form. In other words, he explored how to make the impossible possible.

This vision grew over time and Falco traveled the world to places of power, such as Japan, Africa, Peru, and India, looking for the perfect place to build this Temple which would serve as an antennae and magnifier for cosmic communication. It would also serve to enhance other sacred structures built upon power places, such as the pyramids, Machu Picchu, and Stonehenge, and connect all more strongly to the cosmos.

Falco was seeking the intersection of four Synchronic Lines. These are described as rivers of energy that spiral horizontally and vertically within the planet and around the poles to link Earth with the galaxy.

Imagine these as spiraling cosmic super highways carrying spiritual energy known as dreams, intuition, creative ideas, and ways of thinking across the universe. A complex, multidimensional communication across planets and celestial bodies sharing information and enhancing potential.

Falco found two places in the world where 4 synchronic lines intersected.

One in the Himalayan mountains and the other in the Valchiusella valley and foothills of the Italian Alps. Interestingly enough, this valley was just North of Falco’s birthplace of Turin.

In 1978, a small group of Damanhurians began constructing the Temples of Humankind within the mountain.

By hand and in secret, they built where 4 Synchronic Lines intersect within the black asteroidal mylonite inside the mountains. Governmental geologists later described this strong foundation as some of the oldest formations on the planet, formed when Earth’s original mantle congealed.

One by one, 9 halls were dug within the mountain. Alchemical metals, sacred geometry, hidden doors, energetic circuitry, sacred symbology, and artistic depictions created a wonder to behold.

As Falco intended, the Temples of Humankind and so many aspects of Damanhurian life reveal what a shared dream, positive outlook, and expanding human potential can create. These discoveries go beyond what is deemed possible by society and elevate all who enter.

The Temples may be described as a living library, a three dimensional history of humanity, a modern cathedral honoring all wisdom traditions, a portal to the cosmic intelligence, and an alchemical vehicle. All of which acknowledges the preciousness and potential inherent within all humans.

Whatever descriptors are used, I know one thing to be true. When you enter the Temples of Humankind you realize all of this and more. The Temples, the Sacred Woods, the circuits, the open temple, the Crystal Spiral Labyrinth, and the powerful land offer you far more than words can depict.

I could speak for hours about Damanhur and only scratch the surface of what is happening there.

I met the Great Mother coming out of the ladies room in the Frankfurt airport over a decade ago.

It was a quick meeting, prompted by a poster of a bridge over the Po river in Turin. Highlighting the temple of Mother Mary which had once been a temple dedicated to the Great Mother. I had just been there, on that bridge, days before in the midst of my time visiting the Temples of Humankind in Damanhur, Italy. So, here I stood. Ladies bumping into me, all of us murmuring ‘excuse me’ in German.

I was transfixed as I received Her message – flooding my system on many levels.

It was beautiful, powerful, and surprising. And then it was over. So, I ran to board my connecting flight and headed home. Never realizing the fullness of the Path I had been invited to walk. Or how my relationship with all that She is would strengthen my capacity to be in the world and with the world.

The myth of the Great Mother travels across the world, appearing in many traditions.

A myth is a story that may or may not be true. It is designed to be considered deeply, rather than be believed. Going beyond culture context, myths offer a path to self expansion. A myth is a transitional metaphorical construct leading one to a more expansive, unified, spiritual truth.

That’s a mouthful, yet it describes my relationship with the Great Mother perfectly.

As Joseph Campbell writes, “It would not be too much to say that myth is the secret opening through which the inexhaustible energies of the cosmos pour into human cultural manifestations.”

Don’t you just love that? Inexhaustible cosmic energy poured into you.

The Great Mother offers more than a story.

She represents an archetypal pattern of energy that is available to be experienced, much like I received in that airport. Working with archetypal energy allows you to directly receive transmissions without the need for an intermediary. Universal principles encoded and translated easily by your Soul.

Aspirational Dreaming.

It’s a thing. Consider how many times you are presented with someone who does something truly amazing or simply appealing. And you notice a response in your own being. A quickening. A feeling of thrill or aliveness in your body. Or a sense of “Wow!” that floats itself forward with words to express your admiration or interest. Perhaps it’s a private, tiny voice within that says …

“I’d like to do that.”

However you get “sparked,” times like these are noticeable if you’re paying attention. It’s important to differentiate between noticing admiration or being impressed by someone’s achievements, commitment to excellence, or a personal quality like intelligence, curious enthusiasm, or a potential for joyful love.

There’s a bit of aspirational noticing in these moments as well.

Yet, you don’t feel inspired to leap out of your chair and yell “Yes! I too will swim from Cuba to Florida without stopping at the age of 64!” For those of you who are missing that reference, check out the movie Nyad on Netflix. I first heard Diane Nyad interviewed on the Chasing Life podcast with Sanjay Gupta. “Wow!” I thought. “That’s amazing.”

After watching the movie of her epic swims (yes, plural), I’m still amazed.

And have absolutely no desire to get off my comfy couch and dip my toe in a pool, let alone swim across an ocean. (If you haven’t read about my courageous weeny swim with dolphins in Hawaii, you can do so here). So, that’s a hard no. No fizzle of excitement and longing to aspire to that feat.

Inspiration, even when faced with someone’s aspirational character, does not a dream make.

You’ve got to tune into your own oracle. That spidey sense that lives within you and knows how to track the clues on your Soulful Map. While sometimes it is clear, your inner knowing often whispers in goosebumps, single thought sentences, or an unsettled feeling in your solar plexus.

That’s a typical signal for me.

When my solar plexus starts getting squirmy and I’m thinking “uh oh,” I’m aware that something is coming down that garden Soul Path and aiming right toward me.

Requiring me to pay attention, take some Tiny Actions toward whatever nudge is appearing, and say “yes” even if my eyes squeeze shut and I cross my fingers behind my back.

I’m sitting in a silent Soul Sanctuary. Quietly communing with the wonder of this space.

It’s a bit mind blowing to review the journey that got me here. My original plan was to continue as psychologist and executive director of a nonprofit agency serving DYFS adolescents until I retired. Funny how Life has a way of inviting you onto a new path. Even funnier that you say yes. Innocently stepping onto an entirely new trajectory that at first masquerades as something similar to the path you’ve been living.

Not all Journeys have clearly marked paths and signs. I think that’s by design.

I’m not sure I had the vision or the courage back then to head in the direction I’ve been led. Although with hindsight, I must’ve had a huge trust and a fair amount of courage to walk away from the security of a job that allowed me to grow personally, empower others, and create change in the wider community. Thank the Angels who whispered there was another way even though I didn’t know who was talking nor where that “way” would lead me.

That was in 2005 and there were many twists and unexpected turns that landed me here today celebrating Soul Sanctuary’s 12th birthday.

I’m awash in gratitude. Allowing the images of the people who have walked through these doors. Seeking solace, expansion, community, and above all, love. I’m moved deeply by the way everyone has seeded Soul Sanctuary with trust, courage, desire, and movement toward a broader life. And how tears, laughter, and determination have watered these seeds. I’m thinking of all the people who have helped me in so many ways, and those who share the gift of the work we do at Soul Sanctuary with others. It is so very helpful and really generous. I’m awash in this generous spirit in this very moment.

Entering an energetically enriched conscious space such as Soul Sanctuary naturally invites and empowers healing and transformation.

I’ve witnessed a lot of transformation in myself, my offerings, and the way in which transformation occurs within people. It has become easier, more gracefully fluid, and quite astonishing to witness how that which creates suffering may fall away to reveal that which is ready to blossom.

It’s a quiet year without fanfare, this 12th wonder of a birthday for Soul Sanctuary. Yet there are gifts to be given and worthy children to receive them.