A personal reflection after the DUP Camp Vietnam 2024
by AnnJil Chong
“We have a special task for you.”
“The most peaceful task of all time.”
“We would like you to weave the Dances of Universal Peace letters onto the branches, setting the stage for their beautiful display later,” Note, one of the organizers, said with a warm smile.
This undertaking marked the beginning of my profound journey at the International Dances of Universal Peace (DUP) Asian Camp 2024, held from December 1st to 7th in the captivating Thai Hai Traditional Village, Vietnam.
Attended by 152 participants from 22 countries, including Palestine, Colombia, Spain, Netherlands, New Zealand, Turkey, India, Indonesia, Thailand, Philippines, Japan, and the United States, I embraced each role I played.
Whether volunteering, standing as the sole Malaysian participant, invocating consciously, listening deeply, or reconnecting with cherished friends and mentors, these experiences enriched my life and fostered meaningful connections, allowing me to touch others’ lives and be touched by theirs in return.
This year’s program was centered around personal growth and community development, themes intricately integrated throughout the agenda. Each day at the camp was meticulously organized with a specific focus in mind by five esteemed senior instructors: Arjun Calero, Malika Elena, Munira Elizabeth Reed, Roxana Campos Araya, and Juan Nuraddin.
Their dedicated focus created shining moments that inspired us to soar to new heights and embrace the endless possibilities that lie ahead.
December 1st : When Fire meets Water
Since our earliest ancestors learned to make fire, the flame has been worshipped as the essence of divinity and the source of light. Guided by the Thai Hai Village Head, we gathered in a circle to light our first flame from the temple. As this light passed from one person to another, rhythmic cymbals filled the air, creating a symphony of appreciation.
Every bow at heart level and each shared glance spoke volumes of humility and gratitude for one another’s presence.
Each spark not only illuminated but also instilled hope, softly reminding us that even in the darkest times, a dedicated community stands ready to uplift each other, nurturing the bonds that fortify us as one.
Once everyone had received the light, the Village Head, along with Arjun and Roxana, used it to ignite the campfire, serving as a symbolic inauguration of the event.
We commemorated this special moment with a fire dance. Colorful fans reflected the flames, casting patterns against the night sky. Cymbals and drums echoed as everyone moved in sync, fostering unity—a reminder of our connection despite different backgrounds and our pursuit of common goals with renewed energy.
In return, we offered the Thai Hai community water from 22 countries. As a universal symbol for the soul, water takes many forms and embodies various moods and qualities. Each drop represented our deep connection to our roots and celebrated the unique cultural heritage of us. This gesture symbolized unity, diversity, and shared history.
The transparent bottle stood proudly as an emblem of our collective DUP journey. Watching the water levels rise felt like weaving a tapestry of rivers that transcended geographical boundaries to unite into a vast, boundless ocean.
December 2nd : Setting in
In the DUP Laboratory 1 session, experienced leaders formed five groups. This setup offered participants like me a wonderful chance to immerse ourselves in each group as dancers, experiencing the unique transmission dynamics that each leader introduced.
With her guitar in hand, Kamala’s soothing voice resonated with the words, “Take o take me as I am, Summon out what I shall be, Set your seal upon my heart, And live in me.”
This beautiful hymn by Scottish composer John Lamberton Bell transcended mere melody; it served as an invitation to surrender to the Universe. It gently encouraged us to welcome transformation with open hearts and embraced the promise of change, all while nurturing gratitude for our renewed selves.
This dance became a tender prelude to the entire camp journey, guiding us with compassion and grace.
December 3rd : Exploring the subject
The concept of “Nafs,“ or the self, as explored through the spectrum of our psyche, presents us with the potential to transcend our most basic instincts and attain our highest virtues.
Sufic psychology eloquently delineates seven levels of Nafs as identified in the Quran. At its lowest stage, Nafs-al-ammara is particularly characterized by negative traits, such as worldly desires, often acting without reflection or hesitation.
Our intention for the day was to become more conscious of these negative traits within our ego, thereby entering a stage of self-criticism. The higher self maintained vigilance over our conscience by continually reminding us of wrongdoing.
We shared our deepest, most vulnerable shadows with each other and created a sanctuary—a safe haven where our shadows could be released and illuminated. It was akin to the sun, shining with its own brilliance, and the moon, reflecting that light with its gentle receptivity.
Collectively, we ascertained that by revealing our hidden selves, we were able to transform obscurity into illumination and motivate one another throughout this journey of self-discovery.
The day culminated in the vibrant Vietnamese Gala Night, where the team beautifully sang Thich Nhat Hanh’s poem “Two Promises”: “I vow to develop understanding, in order to live peacefully with people, animals, plants, and minerals…”
This reminded us that our world is already rich with abundance and inspired us to pause and reflect how the relentless pursuit of materialism can harm other beings and upset the fragile balance of our environment.
December 4th : Deep diving
Originating from the non-physical realm, our soul must initially undergo a transformation to become less subtle and more concrete.
During this process, it becomes the state of the vegetative soul (Nafs-al-nabatiyyah), enabling the form within the womb to perform functions akin to those of plants, such as nourishment and growth by converting external substances into its own essence.
As development progresses in the womb, it evolves into the animal soul (Nafs-al-hayawaniyyah), acquiring mobility. At birth, this animal soul reaches completion as various desires manifest in the form.
It, however, is not until adolescence that the soul transitions from potential consciousness to actualized consciousness with the emergence of the rational soul (Nafs-al-Natiqah).
The beats of the djembe played by Arjun resonated deeply within us, stirring an innate connection to our origins and stripping away layers of societal conditioning.
With each rhythm, we shed preconceived notions and embraced a raw, unfiltered, animalistic existence (Nafs-al-hayawaniyyah). In this shared space, the boundaries between individual identities blurred as we moved in harmony with one another.
The experience was both grounding and liberating—a return to simplicity where the only focus was on being present in the moment. This collective journey back to our primordial nature (fitrat) allowed us to acknowledge our inherent instincts while also recognizing the potential for growth and transformation that lay within us.
As Arjun’s rhythms softened into silence, we emerged from this trance-like state renewed, conscious that although our paths may diverge, they are all rooted in this shared human experience.
December 5th : Transformation and healing
We accessed the realm of mysticism and re-established a connection with our five senses (i.e., vision, hearing, taste, smell, and touch) through the practice of meditation. Similar to the growth of a tree, meditation commences with a solitary thought and extends into various others; its culmination serves as a seed for subsequent intellectual development and contemplation.
The invocation and dance sessions were seamlessly integrated with the meditation practice. Collectively, we reached a milestone of 88 minutes of guided meditation, marking a significant achievement, especially for those experiencing sitting meditation for the first time.
Arjun imparted to us the insightful principles encapsulated in the acronym ELSA, which stands for Embrace, Let go, Sense, and Act, to cultivate a greater sense of mindfulness and emotional intelligence.
This involves acknowledging reactivity as it arises, releasing the accompanying mental narrative, perceiving the sensation as it dissipates within our bodies, and responding with compassion and wisdom to the situation at hand.
Listening to Eilda’s story of Palestine deeply touched our hearts. Her narrative highlighted the incredible resilience of those enduring amidst chaos, emphasizing the profound bond people share with their roots and heritage.
As we absorbed Eilda’s experiences, it became clear how vital these stories are in nurturing understanding and empathy among diverse communities. They remind us of the importance of solidarity and support during challenging times, urging us to consider our roles in contributing to global peace efforts with compassion and care.
Through the Mother Earth Ritual, we humbly seek forgiveness from Mother Earth.
We extend our sincere gratitude to our mentors, Arjun and Roxana, as well as the Organizing Team for arranging a designated space adorned with beautiful flowers, where each participant had the opportunity to present their offerings to Mother Earth and express gratitude for her abundant provisions.
We gently placed our offerings into the earth, symbolizing a gesture of reciprocity and recognition of her nurturing presence in our lives.
As we gathered together, a sense of reverence permeated the atmosphere, reminding us of our collective duty to care for and protect our planet.
The ritual concluded with a moment of silence, allowing us to contemplate how we might contribute to healing and preserving Mother Gaia for future generations.
December 6th : Integration
While concentrating on internal development, we also assessed the strategic direction of DUP in Asia. Our efforts were organized into seven groups, each dedicated to topics such as networking, communications, and kundalini. These groups engaged in discussions about the current situation, identified challenges specific to each country, and proposed effective solutions or recommendations to enhance our operations and outreach.
The insights gained from these sessions proved invaluable in shaping a comprehensive understanding of the region’s dynamics. The outcomes of these discussions have laid a solid foundation for implementing strategic initiatives that align with DUP’s overarching goals. We remain committed to continuously monitoring progress and adapting our strategies as necessary to maintain relevance and effectiveness in this rapidly evolving landscape.
December 7th : Celebration
On this remarkable day, the Vietnam Team passed the torch by formally transferring the camp altar to the Thailand Team.
This gesture marked the conclusion of two consecutive years of camp and heralded an exciting new chapter, with next year’s DUP camp set to unfold in Thailand. The Thai team stood ready to embrace this responsibility with enthusiasm and creativity, inspired by their predecessors’ accomplishments.
As we look forward to next year’s camp in Thailand, let this milestone encourage us all to reach beyond our limits, explore new possibilities, and create lasting memories that will inspire generations to come.
