Lila's version of the Parliament of World Religions:

We had a fabulous turnout for the play reading. They needed to move us from the small room we had been assigned, to one which accommodated the 130 people who came. We felt the fulfillment of our vision and intention for this offering. Our actors were superb and found the strength of their characters in the warm reception of the audience. Darwin in the Dreaming gives expression to many perspectives on the wheel of the dialog which involves Religion, Science, Aboriginal Wisdom and the Awareness which envelops it All. What is the essence of Creation? What part does Social Darwinism play in the destruction of land, people and resources? How might we shift to the telling and the embodiment of a New Story? Can we change the Past, and therefore shift the course of the river towards a better future?

The play is entertaining as well as thought-provoking. We enjoyed ourselves, and many came forward to find out more...and who knows where that might lead. I wonder at finding a new medium for expressing the ideas in this piece. Perhaps creating a pod cast as a reading of the play which people can download, and engage in the Study Guide for a group experience? We found the reading of the play engaged people’s imaginations, and with enhanced stage directions, it actually worked quite vividly. If you have any ideas about how to make this very dramatic play available (as in podcast technology, etc.), please let us know! We’re rather keen on this material, sensing its relevance in the many conversations which have been happening at this Parliament.

Mandaeans

One of the most interesting groups to encounter were the Mandaeans, a small sect of followers of John the Baptist who spread out into the world after the Romans quashed the peoples of Israel in AD 70, and then the Muslims later on. There are allegedly 6000 Mandaeans in Australia, a priest claimed, meaning there might be fewer. They must be near water, as their lives depend on repeated baptisms, which one of the priests described in detail, along with a woman writing her PhD thesis on the Mandaeans who accompanied him. It was a privilege to hear this man speak so passionately and sincerely about their practices, and how important water is to them, as this is their route to the divine. A baptism takes about six hours, and each one goes through the ceremony once to four times a year.

World Religions

Lila and I have returned from the Parliament of World Religions - 7000 people, not the expected 10000, yet still a large number of people to travel all the way to Australia - in their various garbs (robes, hats, many quite extraordinary) - 200 different religions - various kinds of clothing, hats, costumes exterior and interior. What is this about? What do people believe in? We read our play, Darwin in the Dreaming, with professional actors. It was well received. They had to move our room so that the 130 people who wanted to hear this reading could do so. The play asks "where do you come from?" again and again, as that affects how you act. In brief, if you think that you come from a series of random occurrences (random mutation, followed by selection of traits through differential survival) on a tiny planet in an insignificant solar system in one of a trillion galaxies, then perhaps the most important thing to you is pleasure - sensory stimulation, and more of it. Otherwise, who cares? Or perhaps you hold a different view. Ponder this, my friends. It makes a difference.
At this conference, we were able to sample many different opinions about this important question: Where do you come from?
As we digest other aspects of this conference, we will add posts to our new blog, ideally brief and pointed. If you would like to join that blog, you are welcome to do so here at www.DavidAndLilaTresemer.blogspot.com.

We have returned to Flinders Island, mountains and sea, and are very happy.

David and Lila are on the way to Melbourne. We have glorious travel weather, and are curious, interested and as awake as possible to the joy of this opportunity! Not many expectations are in place, mostly the open consciousness that is willing to find the appropriate resonance and delight in whomever we are connected to! Partly, I look forward to the costumes! The entertainment factor in international dress is always a reminder that we’re fundamentally in a movie, and that the costume designer had an unlimited budget for this episode. I’ll take some photos as I’m able, to prove my point.

We thought we’d start a section on our blog called “Today’s Quotable Quotes”. Our selection today comes from a radio new broadcast: “It was too unbelievable to be believed." The next, from the Premier himself, after describing a colleague who was beset by criticism. “Let the bloke have a go.” Kevin Rudd is very well spoken, very light accent, good vocabulary, and then these words pop out. Say those words out loud.

We travel from our Island, with the blessing of our mountain, to the big city of Melbourne, for the Parliament of World Religions, expecting 8000 to 10000 people. The main theme is indigenous perspectives, with subthemes of youth, sacred music, and divine feminine. We were granted a slot to present a reading of our play, Darwin in the Dreaming. We've pulled together a few really great actors, including Brian Lipson, British trained, has performed in London and has many awards from Melbourne theatre. Also James Saunders, now in a one-man show called Harry Harlow, and Rudie Chapman as "Sarah" and then the indigenous woman - who should it be? We talked with about a dozen, and decided that the best exponent of indigenous thinking/feeling/being, and one who knows the play the best - is Lila! We shall see how it goes - the whole shebang starts this evening.