The fifth session of the 83rd series of Congress 60 educational workshops, specifically for travelers and companions, commenced at 10:00 AM on Wednesday, November 20, 2024. The session was led by Mr. Hossein Dezhakam, with companion Nahid serving as secretary. The agenda was “The tenth Valley and its Impact on Me”.
Hello friends, I'm Hossein, a traveler. I hope you all are doing well, and I am also doing well, thank God. Today is November 20, 2024, and we are in the Academy Building in Tehran. The time is 10:04 AM. Thank God we had good rain last night; it's raining everywhere, which is a divine blessing and a good sign that we won't face water shortages, God willing. We didn't face it last year, and hopefully, we won't this year either. May the dams be full of water, and everyone's pockets be full of money. (Mr. Dezhakam laughs) You said the latter with more emphasis, God willing.
There are a few points I need to mention before moving on to the agenda. If I want to talk about our research, my last lecture was in Maryland, USA, at a global conference on breast cancer. I gave a speech there about ten days ago. The results were extremely positive, and from that conference, we were invited to another conference in one of the cities in Poland. Our other work continues in a similar manner. The heroin experiment on mice has begun at the Pasteur Institute. The heroin was synthesized by the Chemistry Department of the Azad University in their lab for use on the mice, which were provided by the Pasteur Institute. This study is ongoing and involves several phases.
Of course, we fully understood addiction 27-28 years ago, and everything about it became clear to us, as discussed in the book “Crossing the Zone 60 Degrees Minus Zero”. book is now in its 70th edition, with each edition consisting of around ten thousand copies, reprinted several times a year. The 70th edition with ten thousand copies means that we have been consistently discussing all aspects of addiction for the past 27-28 years. We now have more than eighty to ninety thousand cured individuals, a number that can't be found in the USA. This is because even in the USA, there is no belief in the definitive treatment (cure) of addiction. Not only in the USA but also nowhere in the world is there a belief in the definitive cure of addiction. Even in our own country's universities, there is no belief in the cure of addiction. Addiction is considered a mysterious and incurable disease with no solution.
We have been tasked with establishing the scientific foundations and documentation on multiple fronts. As part of this effort, we conducted animal studies on rats due to their physiological similarities to humans. The study focused on five substances: opium, heroin, alcohol, amphetamines (commonly known as crystal meth), and fentanyl. While fentanyl is not available in Iran, it is widespread in the United States, where it has led to a high number of overdoses and fatalities globally. These experiments were carried out at the cellular and molecular levels to examine the body's immune pathways, observing how they are affected by substance use and how they change during the treatment process.
The experiments are conducted entirely in England, either at the University of Bristol or the University of Cambridge. We may not hold significant influence or power to partner with such prestigious institutions, but they recognized the value and importance of the work we are doing. As a result, they agreed to collaborate with us and carry out our experiments. These universities are exclusively responsible for conducting the experiments, and they will also lend their reputable names to the research.
For instance, the IPSE conducted by the University of Cambridge on rats includes 80-90 experiments, each costing approximately ten to fifteen thousand pounds. These are live-cell experiments. Under normal circumstances, when blood, spinal fluid, or brain tissue is extracted from a rat or human, the cells die immediately and perish within a few hours. Most experiments are then conducted on these dead cells. However, this approach doesn't allow us to observe the continuous processes within living cells. It's akin to scenes in movies where people die and are frozen with the hope that, perhaps a hundred years from now, cures for their diseases will be discovered, and they can be revived.
We have many samples. But even if these are revived a hundred years from now, what purpose would it serve? Their families and everyone they knew—parents, siblings, friends, acquaintances—would all be gone. Still, this is the nature of such experiments. The same concept applies to what we are doing: after the cells are separated, they are frozen at minus eighty degrees Celsius. Later, they are brought to the laboratory, where the ice is gradually thawed in stages, and the cells are cultured. This process continues for varying durations—three months, four months, fifteen days, twenty days, and so on—to observe how the cells function over time. For example, to illustrate, we halt the DST process when we reach 0.3 cc, correct?
Let’s consider a scenario where a person has an illness. When we stop the treatment, does their physical and bodily system continue to recover or not? The IPSE experiment clearly demonstrates that the answer is yes. The cultured cells remain active and continue recovering, indicating that gene expression is being reset—just like in the human body. This finding helps us understand the recovery process, though it is very expensive. Nevertheless, universities are fully conducting these experiments on our behalf because achieving such results is highly valuable for them as well.
We have conducted similar experiments in collaboration with the University of Bristol and the General Hospital in Bristol, England. We performed the experiments, and they replicated them too. The same approach was taken with the University of Madrid and institutions in the USA. The results of our work on epilepsy in rats were exceptionally promising, and we have applied this research to various substances.
Even through IPSE, which involves studying living cells to establish robust cellular and molecular foundations, we have confirmed that addiction disrupts specific immune system pathways or gene expressions. By employing the DST method, we can re-regulate these pathways and restore them to their natural state. This is the work we have accomplished and continue to pursue.
In addition, blood tests were conducted on samples treated with different methods and compared with blood tests from individuals in Congress 60 who underwent treatment using the DST method. The results are being compiled into a research paper, which is currently in the review process. Reviewers are providing feedback, and we are actively revising and addressing their comments. The paper will be published soon, marking yet another significant milestone in our journey forward.
In the United States, influential figures such as William White, Dr. Sarapass, and other medical professionals have been intrigued by Congress 60’s impressive success in addiction treatment and its highly durable recovery outcomes. This interest prompted them to explore the differences between Congress 60’s methods and their own.
They began a research project to compare the treatment approaches used in the U.S., including methadone, naloxone, naltrexone, buprenorphine (B2), and rapid detoxification. Their system has collected extensive data and statistics. Additionally, they reached out to us for detailed information to better understand and compare their methodologies with those of Congress 60, aiming to identify the key factors contributing to its remarkable success.
On one hand, there are extensive surveys, psychological studies, and paper-based research being conducted. On the other hand, cellular and molecular research is underway to provide a comprehensive understanding for the global scientific community. This dual approach is an ongoing effort, with continuous activity in the field of research.
We hope that, through collective effort, we can introduce advanced research equipment that is currently not available in Iran. This would allow for more effective evaluation and analysis of genes, which is a significant part of our work.
Another important point is that in various sections of Congress 60, we use questionnaires for different purposes. For instance, we have questionnaires for newcomers, for the second journey, for the 30 CDs’ program, and more. These are used across many areas.
From now on, no unit or section is allowed to create their own questionnaires or modify existing ones. Any changes to the questionnaires must go through me for approval. This includes situations where the portal wants to implement new changes and issue a new questionnaire, or if the family group, travelers' wives, or other parties create their own questionnaires. Allowing independent changes would lead to confusion. Additionally, there are certain elements that should not be included in the questionnaires at all.
You bring up an important issue regarding the privacy and security of individuals in Congress 60. It's essential to uphold the highest standards of confidentiality to protect the participants, especially when dealing with sensitive personal information. Recording details such as home addresses or phone numbers in questionnaires could compromise their privacy and lead to serious negative consequences if that information falls into the wrong hands or is accessed by unauthorized individuals.
Our main goal is to ensure that the identity of each participant is safeguarded, and disclosing information like last names or addresses goes against this principle. While certain personal information might be necessary for guides or specific roles within the organization, it should not be a part of the general questionnaires that are accessible to others or stored in the portal.
That's why I said, and it has been the same way until now, that nothing has been shared outside Congress 60. However, from now on, wherever a questionnaire is being created, it must first be shown to me. I want to emphasize that under no circumstances should any questionnaire be issued by any group or department without my review. I need to look over the questionnaire to ensure these kinds of mistakes don’t happen.
Another issue is about D.SAP, which I’ll explain. So far, we’ve published three very important articles about D.SAP in reputable international journals. Since it’s stored in 5-liter containers, you might notice a white film forming on the surface of the D.SAP. This is a specific type of fungus that is actually very beneficial. In the past, when something like this appeared on vinegar, people used to call it "the vinegar's offspring" and considered it very valuable. Some even referred to it as "donbe," saying it was highly beneficial.
These fungi are extremely useful and edible, especially while they are white. If the color turns green, that’s when you should notify us. But as long as it’s white, it’s not only safe but actually more potent, beneficial, and effective than the D.SAP itself. That’s the first point.
The second point is this: sometimes when you eat honey, you might notice a bee inside it, but you don’t throw the honey away because the bee is the producer. Similarly, when D.SAP is being made, you might see something surprising when you open the container—it could have up to two million vinegar flies inside. These aren’t regular flies or mosquitoes; they’re vinegar flies, which play an essential role in the production process.
These flies actively contribute to creating probiotics and lactobacilli in the D.SAP through their activities and interactions. Occasionally, you might even see a small part, like a wing, in the D.SAP. Although we filter and strain the product thoroughly, if you ever spot something like that, don’t panic or think there’s an issue. It’s just like finding a bee wing in honey—it’s entirely harmless and, in fact, a natural part of the production process.
When you notice white specks or particles in D.SAP, there’s absolutely no issue—it’s perfectly fine. In fact, the longer D.SAP is stored, the stronger and more potent it becomes. Of course, none of you are wine drinkers, but in the past, aged wine would become significantly more valuable over time. D.SAP works in a similar way. (Mr. Dezhakam’s laughter)
Well, these were just some points I wanted to share with you.
The clinics in Isfahan were initially meant for an experiment, where there would be a clinic with about 10 to 15 patients, and a guide would oversee the process, ensuring that the DST method was applied and practiced there. However, over time, it evolved into something else. They gradually rented spaces, expanded, and eventually, financial issues started to arise. There were issues related to the budget, and one of the guides was, for example, using the clinic’s funds for personal expenses, pulling out cards for himself and his family. Other issues also came up, so we decided to simplify things and shut them down.
While we still collaborate with clinics, we’re phasing out some of the cities where the clinics are abundant. Moving forward, we won’t be granting new licenses for clinics, and we will gradually review all existing ones. Because in Congress, our services are free. Even the guides at the clinics working with us were offering their services for free, including their legions. But still, issues arose, and we concluded that it was in everyone’s best interest to proceed this way.
The agenda is the Tenth Valley, and I’ll share a few words about it. From a book perspective, what page is this on? Human being’s past attributes don’t remain the same because he is continuously changing. continuously changing.
"A hundred thousand virtues, from all sciences,
The soul doesn’t know its own oppression.
It knows the properties of every essence,
But in explaining its own essence, it’s like an ass."
This poem is by Rumi. I’ll repeat: A hundred thousand virtues, from all sciences, meaning a person may know countless amounts of knowledge. The soul doesn’t know its own oppression, the person doesn’t know his own soul. It knows the properties of every essence, this is referring to how a person knows the properties of things like sulfuric acid, or the essence of an ant, or the properties of potassium and calcium. But in explaining its own essence, it’s like an ass—when it comes to understanding itself, it knows nothing about its own essence.
The story here is that human being’s past attributes don’t remain the same because he is continuously changing. What is ongoing? Humans are ongoing, yes, humans are ongoing. What else is ongoing? Everything is ongoing. Nothing is fixed. The characteristic of this world is instability, meaning nothing is fixed. The only thing that is constant in the world is the very property of instability; nothing is permanent. Everything is in a state of change. Now, how can we say that humans don’t change? Just because I was addicted for thirty years, does that mean I must still be addicted? Just because I was sick, does that mean I must still be sick? Just because I was uneducated, does that mean I must still be uneducated? Many people, even in their seventies or eighties, have become educated in Congress 60. This idea is not truthful.
Just because I am poor now doesn’t mean I will always be poor. Just because I am wealthy now doesn’t mean I will always stay wealthy. We are constantly changing, always in a state of change. What it means is that the past characteristics are not true for humans, because they are ongoing. For example, I was once in Narcotics Anonymous. At first, I went there, saw the rules, and observed some things that didn’t align with my own preferences. However, it’s a very good group, and they have done excellent work. They existed long before us, and we have learned a lot from their experiences. They have provided great help worldwide. There are 154 or 150 countries where they are active, and they are working in Iran as well. Their services in Iran are excellent because they have saved many people from addiction. Given the resources they have, they have done great work.
But Congress60 is a paradigm shift; it opened a different door. There, it is suggested that if I am addicted, I must remain addicted for the rest of my life. They say, "Hello friends, my name is Hossein, I am an addict," even though I've been sober for twenty years. But I still say that I am an addict. This is the past characteristic in a person, and they believe it is true. However, Congress 60 says that past characteristics do not apply to a person. Who would dare say that Dezhakam is an addict now? Not based on my appearance, nor my behavior, nor my actions, and I have no temptation. I, and all of you, who could anyone say that you are an addict? Not by your appearance, not by anything. If someone in Taleghani Park saw you, they would believe everything except that you were drug users. If you participate in a meeting, they would believe everything except that you were drug users.
The members were in Isfahan on Monday, meeting with the Deputy Political Governor, Majid, Babak, Asghar, and Mehdi. They were surprised and asked, "Are you telling us that you, Asghar, were addicted?" He said, "Yes, I was an addict." Majid, were you also? "Yes, I was too." They couldn’t believe it. These people, who are so respectable and esteemed, were once drug users? Who would believe that they were addicts? Because the past characteristics don’t apply to a person, because humans change. Even if a person is in the deepest hell, the most sinful person, they can still change. It only takes them to turn around. Sometimes we are heading toward darkness, we are going toward ignorance, and we keep going. But all it takes is to turn toward the light and move in that direction. Surely, God will help.
Even the most sinful person, someone who is in the deepest hell, can still change. It is not true that because you have sinned, you must remain sinful forever. They can change as well. This is the mercy of God. Of course, they must repay the harm they caused, make amends, and return to the right path. If this were not the case, then no one would ever be able to change. A thief would always be a thief, a sinner would always be a sinner, an addict would always be an addict, a debtor would always be a debtor, and a rich person would always be rich. Life wouldn't work this way—everything can't be fixed. Someone can't always stay young, always old, or always a child. Everything is in a constant state of change. It didn't stay the same before, and it won’t stay the same now.
This, in fact, teaches us a lesson. It’s telling us that human being’s past attributes don’t remain the same because he is continuously changing. If you're facing a problem right now, whether it's poverty, debt, illness, or any other issue, you can get out of it. You can change your situation. All you need is a little patience and effort, and you will get out. You are not condemned to remain in that state forever. I, for example, was at the peak of addiction at the age of 48, and by 50, I was at rock bottom. I mean, I had lost everything, reached the zero point. I could have continued like that for another three or four years, and may God rest your loved ones, I would have ended up like that too. But in that situation, I turned my life around.
Now, look at where we've reached together. The result is at least eighty to ninety thousand people have been treated. As for how many more will be treated in the future, only God knows. So, it tells us, "O human, if you have reached a problem, if you're in a difficult situation, if you're in a dead end, if you're in a dangerous state, if you feel like everything is lost, you don't have to resort to suicide. You can change everything. You can turn things around. This is the power of a human being." All the prophets came for this very reason—to save those who are lost and guide them toward the straight path.
Therefore, the past trait is not true for a person because they are constantly changing. Everything is in flow, life is in flow. So, if someone is a consumer today, they can get out of this state. If someone is ill, they can recover. If someone is in debt, they can get out of it. Whatever situation they find themselves in, all it takes is to turn toward the light, trust in God, make a decision, and move out of the darkness, including addiction. I will not speak further about this, as we have CDs, brochures, books, and your own experiences. I hope you will participate in this and thoroughly discuss this matter this week.
One more thing I’d like to remind you of: we have some celebrations that all of you should pay attention to. The members also have music group practices; they are practicing because Congress is not only about therapy but also about art and sports. It’s important to keep the members busy so they can reach freedom. However, we need to be careful about one thing: it’s not for your own sake but for the sake of Congress 60. For example, if you see that it’s the Fatimah days, we can’t come and clap, cheer, play music, or have a live orchestra, or play 'Ninash Nash.' We must pay attention to this. We need to be in tune with the crowd and follow the laws of the country.
So, now it’s the Fatimiyyeh days, Muharram, the anniversary of someone's passing, or a memorial ceremony where, according to the country's system, mourning ceremonies are held, or a commemoration of death, martyrdom, or whatever it is. We must respect this. We need to understand this ourselves. The music group that is going to perform must understand this. The songs they want to play must be considered. We must automatically respect this. We’ve been working for twenty-seven or twenty-eight years, almost thirty years. Thank God, thank God, we haven’t been given any warnings.
In Taleghani Park, there’s the Sacred Defense Museum, and also the martyrs’ memorial, with five or six graves. Women come there to exercise, men are working out, and women are doing aerobics separately. Nobody has any objections because we’ve considered the rules and respected the boundaries. Everywhere in Congress 60, we must observe what Congress 60 does. If we don’t follow the rules, Congress 60 can be shut down with just one phone call—I'm saying this without any hesitation.
So, we ourselves must pay attention to this matter and follow it. Wherever we are involved in activities or work, we need to ensure that what we do does not harm Congress 60. Many people come here because they are ill, and our sole task is to treat these patients. We have no other purpose but to help individuals who are substance users reach recovery. That’s it. Therefore, make an effort to observe these rules. If there is a mourning ceremony, during Fatimiyya days, Muharram, or any similar occasion, we must respect that and adhere to these religious norms. Thank you all for listening to my words. I am grateful to all of you. Thank you.
Translated by: Marjan
December, 1, 2024
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