August 5, 2023
Dear Hossein,
I am pleased that your time at the farm was so productive and enjoyable. Between the photos and videos you shared, I felt like I was there with you. And I had no idea that the D. Sap production was such a large operation. I’m sure your daily swim in the pond provided a welcome break. I hope your temperatures were more moderate than what we are experiencing here in Florida and most of the United States. This is our hottest summer on record. Rita and I have been forced to shorten our daily walk outside and to only walk in the shade behind our apartment building early in the day as many people are experiencing heat stroke. The editing of “How are you” is complete and I have written a first draft of the Introduction. The manuscript you sent was in near-perfect shape and required only some minor reformatting that I am suggesting. I do want to review the Introduction again after a week or so to see if I want to make any revisions or additions. I’ve attached my suggested edits for you to review. Let me know if this is the kind of Introduction that will work well for the book. Thank you for sharing the published articles on the DST method and methamphetamine treatment. These are important milestones in the history of Congress 60 and an important contribution to the addiction treatment literature. They are also a part of the growing body of written literature on Congress 60, whose influence will grow in tandem with such publications. I am also delighted with your report that the research with Bristol University and Dr. Arvin is progressing. When I think of addiction recovery within Congress 60, I think of three dimensions of transformative change: 1) neurological reset via the DST method that breaks the cycle of craving, obsession, and compulsive drug seek (a process of brain repair amplified by physical activity), 2) enhancement of global health and character reconstruction (worldview) via education and peer support within Congress 60, and 3) citizenship and service (repair of the person-family-community relationship. I see the DST method as the foundation upon which these larger personal transformations unfold over time. While the DST method is unique, what is also unique is the balance between these three areas within Congress 60. As you’ve often pointed out, use of DST method alone will provide results but not to the degree as seen in Congress 60 due to the components added to the DST method. I hope these other elements will not be lost as the DST method is applied to other medical disorders. Please extend my warmest regards to your family and to all members of Congress 60. And my deepest appreciation to Ehsan for his faithful translations of our communications over these many years.
Friends and Brothers Forever,
Bill