Interviewer: I think you've already answered my next question, but just to clarify—why does the Twelfth Valley emphasize the second principle, which advises those coming into this world to respect nature and plant a tree every year? Was that essentially the answer?
Master Amin: Yes, exactly. It says to plant a tree each year and take care of it. If it dries up, plant two in its place and keep doing this for as long as you live. Whether you plant ten, a hundred, or more, the foundation remains the same.
Interviewer: Last year, when we were at the planting tree camp, officials from the forestry and environmental sector visited us. The Deputy of Tehran’s Watershed Management came by and was really impressed with our work. He said that seeing the scale of what we [Congress 60] are doing, even as someone in charge of these efforts, motivates him to do his job better and push himself to do something more in this regard. How did the authorities reach this point, does it mean that those directly responsible for this work—acknowledge us, accept us, and support us this much?
Master Amin: Look, this effort has gradually taken shape, starting from a small point with just a few people. A big part of it is showing up in different places—like in Isfahan, where 500 to 1,000 people gather to plant seeds for desertification prevention. These are individuals who don’t even smoke, who are well-disciplined individuals, they are polite, and have a positive energy. This creates a wave, an impact, especially on those in charge who witness it and see the changes [in these people]. All these changes stem from Mr. Dezhakam’s teachings and the DST method, which has gradually brought about these changes. First and foremost, a person’s inner world must be thriving before they can work to improve the outer world [the environment]. From my own experience, I’ve learned that people act based on what’s inside them.
If someone’s inner world is in chaos, they tend to disrupt their surroundings to feel a sense of balance and relief. On the other hand, if their inner world is thriving but the outer world is in disorder, they feel uneasy and want to restore balance by improving their environment. The one in turmoil seeks to create more chaos, while the one who is flourishing seeks to spread that prosperity.
The transformation within the members of Congress 60 has happened through Mr. Dezhakam’s DST method—it has healed and strengthened them from within. As a result, they carry this sense of prosperity outward and want to contribute to the world’s betterment. The officials recognize this. When 500 people with a thriving inner world gather with the intent to build and restore, it creates a powerful wave and leaves a significant impact. But all of this has been made possible through the worldview and teachings that Mr. Dezhakam has instilled in us over the years in Congress 60.
Interviewer: One point that was frequently mentioned is that after planting the trees, you continue to take care of them—you water them and make sure they’re doing well. You don’t just plant and leave them until next year.
Master Amin: Exactly! That’s precisely what the Twelfth Valley text itself states—you must plant trees and take care of them. We are simply following that principle. You see, sometimes people do things just for show—to be seen. They plant a tree, people notice, and once their goal of being recognized is achieved, they think that watering the tree is like extra, unnecessary work.
Some members used to come to me and say, “Sir, we don’t pray anymore, we don’t perform our religious rituals”. I would jokingly respond, “Why should you? You’ve already been cured” (laughs). Your problem is solved, so why would you still turn to God, pray, or worship? Back then, you prayed because you had troubles”. Then, after a moment, they’d realize, “No, that’s not right” (laughs). And they understood it themselves!
Interviewer: Do you see any gaps or future prospects for the tree-planting camp? Is there anything you feel should be added, or is it complete as it is?
Master Amin: In the past couple of years, with the approval granted by the Dideban’s [Watchers] Council, irrigation has become part of Congress 60’s training program. Now, once a month or every two months—depending on the need—legions go out into nature, hold their meetings there, and water the trees instead of gathering at the usual meeting spots.
For example, instead of holding a meeting at the representative office, they spend an hour and a half watering trees, then sit in nature, have tea, and conduct their session. This has now been officially approved, and I believe it’s a strong foundation.
Tree planting is a one-day event, usually on Fridays, but irrigation is an ongoing process. That’s why watering sessions are now scheduled during Congress 60’s regular meeting hours. For example, instead of meeting indoors on Wednesdays, the members go to nature, water the trees, and replant any that have dried up. Since the Twelfth Valley is already part of our teachings, it must fully integrate into our training system to unlock its full potential.
Interviewer: Do you think the quality of learning in that environment will be different for the members?
Master Amin: From my own experience in the early years of Congress 60, there were only two legions back then, and we knew everyone. Sometimes, we would go out into nature, have discussions there, and hold our worldview sessions in an outdoor setting. It was a beautiful and refreshing experience. I think it’s like another type of juice—just another one of Congress’s unique flavors, offering a different feeling and color.
It reminds me of my [English] language class days. Although, no matter how many classes we took, we never really learned anything (laughs)—which is true for most people, actually! Back then, once or twice a semester, we had something called "Cinema Day." Instead of sitting in class, they would take us to the cinema, and we’d watch a movie for an hour and a half—usually Indiana Jones’s movies. But the movie was three hours long, so halfway through, it would cut off, and we had to leave. Next session, we’d start from the beginning again and watch until the same point. We were just happy there was no regular English class!
Of course, I mention this as a joke, but for Congress 60 members, these nature-based sessions bring a completely different energy. In the early years of Congress 60, this approach had a positive educational impact on us, and I believe it will be the same for the members today.
Interviewer: So, it will feel different. Now, a slightly historical question—was there ever a period in history when humans were most beneficial to nature? A time when they showed great respect for it?
Master Amin: In general, the further humans have progressed, the more damage they have caused to nature—and this problem has only worsened over time. A hundred or two hundred years ago, humans destroyed the environment one hundredth or less than the amount of damage they impose on the environment today. Back then, people lived in harmony with nature. Their livelihoods were based on agriculture and animal husbandry, and they didn’t produce pollution in any aspects.
The natural cycles were intact—nothing was wasted, and resources were used efficiently. But today, we’ve reached the peak of environmental harm, and it’s crucial that we reverse this trend. Humanity must adopt new lifestyles and scientific methods to start reducing pollution and repairing the damage. One of the most important ways to do this—something I want to emphasize as we wrap up—is tree planting.
Interviewer: So, if this lack of respect for nature continues, drought will continue as well?
Master Amin: Yes, our outcomes are directly tied to our actions, and we do not own this planet. The COVID-19 pandemic was a stark reminder of this—it showed us that we are not the masters of the Earth. A single disease, a single event, can come and wipe out so much. (pauses) (Yeah, go ahead and open the door, then come back in a couple of minutes—I’ll see you then.)
How many questions have we covered so far, Hamed?
Interviewer: Four. I have one more, a personal question.
Master Amin: Go ahead.
Interviewer: If you had your own private garden where you spent all your time, what would it look like? How would you design it, and what plants would you have in it?
Master Amin: we have it right now.
Interviewer: Sorry, I have written the question this way, if you had your own private garden, where you would spend all your time, how was that garden, how would you decorate it and which trees did you plant in it?
Master Amin: If I had a garden where I intended to spend all my time, I would make sure it was a beneficial part of nature. I would try to create a Self-sufficient energy system. It would be a blend of knowledge, tradition, and nature.
For example, there would be a traditional clay oven (tanour), but also solar panels for renewable energy. There would be a space for animals, maybe chickens, and a system for converting waste into biogas. The goal would be for the garden to sustain itself—using solar energy, recycling its own waste, and minimizing harm to the environment.
In fact, we are already working on something like this. The land that Mr. Dezhakam purchased, where D-sap is being produced, is built around these principles. We are actively applying these methods there.
What I mean to say is that as human beings, we should strive to be useful members of existence. If you have a garden, it should not be destructive to its surroundings. I do not mean being obsessional, ideally, it should be both beautiful and practical, a place that contributes positively to nature.
An alert and vigilant person, the one who is not asleep [absent], in my opinion, is someone who takes what they have learned in life and applies it. If you acquire knowledge but don’t use it, you are like the bee that produces no honey. Do you know what a honeyless bee is?
Interviewer: No, I don't, sir.
Master Amin: A wild bee—one that just stings—doesn’t produce anything useful. It’s not creating anything. So, if you’re not useful, you’re definitely harmful.
Interviewer: If you were free to choose, where would you like your garden to be in the world? Which place would you love the most?
Master Amin: I generally love places that experience all four seasons. For example, I really like where I’m from, Hidaj, because it has four distinct seasons. Thankfully, those regions still experience all of them. Unfortunately, in Tehran, we only have three seasons—spring, summer, and autumn. Winter seems to have vanished. But I prefer places with all four seasons. Personally, I’d love a place where winters are around minus twenty to thirty degrees, and summers are around thirty degrees. A place with snow in the winter and ice, but also where you can enjoy water activities in the summer. That’s my ideal choice.
Interviewer: What trees do you like the most?
Master Amin: If I’m talking about beauty, I love weeping willows. But, really, all trees are beautiful. I also really love cypress trees [coming from] Tabriz and the poplars in Hidaj. As for fruit trees, I like walnut trees and date palms. I love them all.
Interviewer: Sir, do you have any final thoughts or a summary to share?
Master Amin: To summarize my point: the sunlight reaches the Earth, but due to the pollution on the surface, it cannot escape. Dark surfaces like soil absorb the most sunlight and convert it into heat, which is a major cause of global warming. Planting trees helps because it prevents sunlight from hitting the soil and turning into heat. Right now, the ice on the Earth’s surface is melting. Ice is white, and the white surface reflects light. Although the Earth will still heat up, when the ice melts and turns into soil, it absorbs light and turns it into heat. So what should we do? We can’t cover the earth with ice, but by planting trees or vegetation that are compatible with the environment, we can reduce the amount of sunlight absorbed by the surface. Green plants absorb far less solar energy than dark soil. This helps lower the amount of solar energy that gets absorbed. Additionally, trees filter out the pollution in the atmosphere and purify greenhouse gases, preventing sunlight from getting trapped in the Earth’s atmosphere. Instead, the sunlight can reflect off the surface and escape. Therefore, the most effective action we can take is to increase the [green] coverage of the planet’s surface. If we do this, the issue can be solved. Along with that, the third line of the this triangle is to reduce pollutants—tackle the sources of pollution. Many things generate pollution, and we need to address them as well. But first, this step is essential.
Interviewer: The best thing a person can do for the Earth is simply to plant trees.
Master Amin: Yes, planting trees and combating desertification.
Interviewer: And not causing damage.
Master Amin: Yes, reforesting. If anyone has the ability and the opportunity, taking part in this effort is a significant step forward.
Interviewer: Thank you so much.
Master Amin: Thank you, Hamed.
Translated by Elahe
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