Wednesdays Workshops: "How Do I Use the Website, Social Media, and Artificial Intelligence in Congress 60"
In the name of the Almighty
The Twelfth session of the 85th round of Congress 60 educational workshops for travelers and companions was held with the guidance and guardianship of Mr. Hossein Dezhakam, and with Ms. Nilsa serving as secretary. The agenda for this session was “How Do I Use the Website, Social Media, and Artificial Intelligence in Congress 60,” and it began on Wednesday, September 17, 2025, at 10:00 a.m.
Hello friends, I’m Hossein, a traveler.
I hope you’re all doing well; thank God, I’m fine. Today is 26 Shahrivar 1404 (September 17, 2025). It’s about 10 a.m., and we are here at the Academy building in Tehran. This week is Marzban Week, and right after this agenda, next week agenda is “how do Congress 60 members make use of Congress 60’s website and Instagram?” Last week I wasn’t here to present the gifts to the Marzbans (border guards), so I’m leaving this task to the agents, and I’ll continue with a few words about the website.
Here are a few points to mention: On Monday we held the Didebans’ (Watchers) meeting. This was the fourth meeting of the solar year, held on 15 September at 2 p.m. in the Simorgh building, with Mr. Dezhakam serving as the Guardian and Traveler Ali as the secretary. The topics discussed in this meeting, based on the decision of the Congress 60’s Base— Mr. Dezhakam—and with the approval of the Didebans’s Council, were as follows:
First, four guardians will be appointed for the four main groups of Congress 60: female travelers, male travelers, female companions, and male companions. They will continue their work under the supervision of the Chief Guardian of Congress 60—Mr. Hossein Dezhakam. In the future it will be determined who the guardians of these four groups will be.
Second, it is mandatory for newcomers to obtain the book Crossing the Zone 60 Degrees Below Zero and the Worldview booklets 1 and 2, and they must be provided in the second newcomers’ legion session. In the past, when someone joined Congress 60, there was an educational package, but recently it was discontinued in order to avoid extra costs. We decided that newcomers should benefit from the materials gradually. However, we have now realized that this obligation should not become a financial burden for newcomers [because of the difficult financial situation in the country]. For example, recently a woman has bought an ice cream bar for about 100,000 tomans; if we calculate the cost per kilogram, it would be around 1,600,000 tomans. With this difficult economic conditions, we have tried to keep the prices of the books as low as possible. The book Crossing the Zone 60 Degrees Below Zero, with color printing and other features, would normally cost over 500,000 tomans. But with all our efforts, we are keeping the price around 200,000 tomans, or just slightly more. This is the least we can do to ensure that newcomers are not financially burdened. In any case, these resources are essential and mandatory so that newcomers can benefit from them and put them to use.
Third, with the approval of Congress of Didebans (Watchers), Traveler Ms. Hajimir from the female travelers’ group was selected as a Dideban. Our Congress of Didebans is predominantly male; there are female companions and travelers too, but Didebans have generally been men. The only women who have served so far are Mrs. Anni (the elder) and Mrs. Anni Kamandar, with Mrs. Anni (the elder) no longer able to attend due to health issues. In this session, it was decided that from now on, female Didebans will also be included so that the group is no longer male-dominated, and the presence of women in Congress 60 will be strengthened. God willing, this decision will be realized, and in the future, we will see more women among the Didebans.
Finally, Traveler Mohsen Rahchamani from Mashhad was selected as an Assistant Dideban, Traveler Ashkazari as the Dideban of the Parks, and Traveler Behrouz Fallah from Tehran as an Assistant Dideban, while Traveler Zarkesh was introduced as the Dideban of the Sardar Legion. The Didebans present at the session were: Mr. Amin Dezhakam, Mrs. Annie Kamandar, Traveler Ashkazari, Traveler Babak, Traveler Mehdi, Traveler Ali Majdian, Traveler Reza, Traveler Mehdi Sedighi, Traveler Mohammad Sadegh, Traveler Alireza, Traveler Asghar, Traveler Ahmad, Traveler Majid, Traveler Javad, Traveler Abdullah, and Traveler Ali Khodami, who served as the secretary of the session.
Currently, we have about ten branches for female travelers, while male travelers have around 155 branches. In many cities, women do not have any branches and face constraints. We try to improve this situation. Despite having ten branches now, some female travelers must travel regularly to different cities. They visit Kerman, Mashhad, Qazvin, Shirvan, Qeshm, and Isfahan every week or every other week to supervise the work. Sometimes they travel thousand kilometers per week by car, plane, or train to be able to oversee the activities. Establishing a branch especially for femal travelers is very demanding. God willing, we will be able to carry out these activities in other cities too.
Another point is what is called the Last OT Ceremony, before coming to Tehran for getting their liberation from addiction [command]. In this ceremony, travelers come to the branch, and their guides drop the final dose of OT into their mouths, as if it were something sacred—as though the guide’s hand were blessed. Such practices must be stopped. Pupils should take their final OT dose themselves and then come forward to receive their liberation commands.
Another point: I have repeatedly said that I am a scientific personality. I am a true scientist; it is not easy to find someone with my level of expertise. I claim to have solved the most complex problems, including long-unsolved issues of addiction, which I have addressed successfully. I have also solved problems like obesity, smoking, and other diseases using my methods and approach. Therefore, I am a scientific figure, not a spiritual leader, mystic, or mentor. These roles do not appeal to me. My relationship with you is that of a teacher; I do not accept the idea of being a spiritual father or having disciples. We must move away from superficial behaviors. I provide an educational framework, and I am your teacher. If you want to learn from me, learn from my scientific approach; there is no need to consider me a spiritual or parental figure.
Some may say, “He is our father,” but I am the father of my own children, and everyone has their own father. I am glad that many people have listened to my words and avoided sharing my photos in the social media. However, some have shared them online or turned them into songs and clips, which I do not approve of. This spreads a negative and toxic atmosphere that society cannot accept. While older generations might have appreciated such approaches, today’s society does not.
Currently, I am invited as a keynote speaker at many conferences, such as in Spain for pharmaceutical topics. However, I only accept invitations in the U.S. and decline others from China, Korea, Japan, and some other countries. The best U.S. conferences have invited me to speak about epilepsy. I am a researcher and have found some methods and are currently working on them. However, I can’t accept you as patients personally because I’m not a doctor.
I ask that you refrain from promoting me or Congress 60 on social media. If anyone creates pages using Congress 60 symbols—such as the Congress 60 logo, shawls, or the Dideban, Agent, or Marzban symbols—do not follow them. These are like poison for us. Viewing me as a spiritual figure is not appropriate for Congress 60 and doing so carries risks. Focus instead on our scientific work and principled research, and avoid such spaces. Recently, some social media pages and songs have appeared, and I do not approve of these activities at all. I have even instructed that my previously posted photos be removed, and if some remain, I am unaware of it. I have no need for publicity; the quieter it is, the better for my work. This allows me to devote more time to research and to develop Congress 60 more effectively. I do not seek fame or recognition, and I ask you to fully respect this principle.
Another point is that at the Jones’s Legion, it was previously claimed that our weight remained constant. I had suggested a three-day fast before, but I am now canceling that recommendation. In the Jones’s Legion, we do not use any sudden withdrawal or quasi–withdrawal methods. In fact, we don’t follow any specific fasting or restrictive diet—for example, three days of eating only eggs, three days of pumpkin seeds, and three days of something else. If someone at Jones’s Legion maintains the same weight for six months, it actually means they are not strictly following the program, so their weight doesn’t decrease. It’s impossible for someone to follow the program exactly and not lose weight. It might happen for a month or two, as the body tries to adjust, and then the weight starts to decrease. At the Jones’s Legion, weight is reduced gradually; the body itself burns fat and sheds weight when the program is followed precisely. If someone doesn’t lose weight for six months, it’s because they are not strictly adhering to the program—for example, not eating their salad regularly, not maintaining the correct intervals between meals, skipping walks, mistiming the salad and meals, or eating snacks. These details are very important.
The next topic in Congress 60 is “Service”. You earn points as opportunities to serve are given to you. For example, someone assigned to issue Congress 60 membership cards earns a point; someone appointed as a Marzban (border-guard) earns a point; participation in OT [distribution section] also earns a point. Service is, in fact, a value—a point. In other words, it is something meaningful granted to you that reflects your learning and growth.
It’s just like when you participate in a class, such as English or art—you are learning and earning points. In the same way, when you take on a service role, you also learn and earn points. When someone takes on the role of a Marzban, they are actually serving, going through a management course, and gaining a lot of experience in the process. We cannot celebrate people serving at all levels— for example, we don’t give special recognition for being a security guard, a secretary, or even for issuing cards. The service we give you is, in itself, a point. Many other people wish to be given a responsibility and to be engaged in meaningful work. So, don’t say things like “I’m serving with difficulty,” because these opportunities are given to you as points to help you learn, grow, and develop. While serving, you learn how to interact properly with others, manage yourself, and many other skills. From our perspective, all of this is part of the learning and educational process.
Nowadays, it has become common to give a certificate of appreciation every time. Some people treat certificates of appreciation as if they were as basic and ordinary as food or water. We have a system for recognizing different tasks in different areas, but it can’t be applied everywhere. So, who should give certificates of appreciation to the Marzbans? In some places, there is a higher authority [an agent], but which branch should give certificates of appreciation to the Marzbans? And who should give them to the Agent? The Agent cannot give one to themselves, and neither can the Marzban.
The best form of recognition is the envelopes we provide (note: these envelopes may contain a small amount of money and a personal note). Don’t hand out certificates too often, so that they remain meaningful and valuable. Remember that gold is precious because it is rare, but if it were everywhere, it would lose its value and become like tin or iron. So, reduce the number of certificates. Park celebrations are held in the parks, where others show their appreciation and thanks to the park Marzbans and Agents.
Another point concerns the forms. All forms must be A4. To reduce costs, do not create your own versions, cut them in half, or change them to A5 or smaller sizes. Sometimes, I notice that the backs of liberation sheets are being used for other printing to save paper. Forms should never be printed on scrap paper, even if the back is clean and blank. Always use forms photocopied on clean sheets.
Another instructive issue concerns two members of Congress 60: Saeed Namaki and Kamran Sharifian. Their term as Dideban had ended. Unlike others who left service after completing their role, these two stayed in Congress 60 and continued to serve. Even though they were no longer Dideban, they returned and continued contributing. They also served at lower levels, taking on roles such as session guest speaker, secretaries, assistants, and counselors, among other responsibilities. So, when a position in Congress 60 is given to us and later taken away, we shouldn’t think, “My term is over” or “I can’t go higher.” This is a lesson that should serve as an example for all of us. If you were a guide and have now handed over your legion, go become a Marzban—it’s even better if someone who has been a guide for four years can continue serving the people as a Marzban. This is a very important point.
Here is a story: A lamb was swimming in a stream when a wolf came and asked, “Why are you stirring up dust?” The lamb replied, “You can’t make dust in water.” The wolf insisted, “Why are you stirring up dust in the water?” The lamb answered, “If you want to eat me, go ahead, but one can’t make dust in water.” This story illustrates a lesson for Congress 60. Sometimes, someone who has received a lot of help might say, “I can’t help because I have a daughter about to get married.” If you don’t want to help, that’s fine—but don’t keep repeating it as an excuse. Helping is not mandatory, but using excuses to avoid it is like trying to stir dust in water: it simply doesn’t work.
A very important point is this: someone may come, plead, beg, and want to become a Pahlevan [a Congress 60 member who donates 10000 dollars for the sake of Congress 60’s research studies and constructing new buildings and branches], and I say no your family is more important. I only allow someone to take on the role of Pahlevan if they truly have the capacity, their family agrees, they don’t have financial problems, and there are sufficient resources. Under those conditions, I give permission; otherwise, if anyone comes just offering money, I don’t accept it. I also mentioned that anyone who has paid any amount can reclaim it if needed. Even if you became a Pahlevan and made the payment, you can reclaim it up to six months later if you decide you no longer want it. We immediately return your money.
Another matter, as reported by Mr. Zarkesh, is that this year the largest contributions in Golrizan (the money donation ceremony) came first from the Sardar Legion members [a Congress 60 member who donates 100 dollars for the sake of Congress 60’s research studies and constructing new buildings and branches], followed by the Donors a Congress 60 member who donates 1000 dollars for the sake of Congress 60’s research studies and constructing new buildings and branches], and then the Pahlavans. Congress 60 continues on its path, and thankfully remains active in various areas. The contributions from the Sardar Legion reinforce the very foundation of Congress 60. Newly established branches are not allowed to start construction for the first three years, since an early focus on buildings can cause many of their core goals to be overlooked. Currently, several branches meet the necessary conditions and are constructing their own facilities. Fortunately, Congress 60 is financially stable, but the members have also reached the level of maturity (wisdom) needed to use the blessings God has given them wisely, spending them on the right path.
Our agenda today is the Congress 60 website. It is necessary that this year all site agents take their formal covenant. hey should also introduce three or four Marzbans to formally receive their shawls. I hope that the Instagram and website pages, in both Persian and English, now officially introduce their site agents and Marzbans. I have previously spoken about avoiding unofficial Congress 60 pages and websites. Unfortunately, many senior guides have visited, followed, and joined them. Being role models, when older members participate in pages that do not follow Congress 60 rules, newer members see this and assume it is acceptable. Therefore, please exercise great caution regarding this matter.
In the future, we should dedicate a week to the topic of Artificial Intelligence (AI). I have spoken about AI a few years ago, and most members have started to engage with it. Now, every Congress 60 member should be able to work with AI, because if they don’t, they will fall behind—this applies to both men and women. However, what AI says should not be taken as absolute truth. The answers provided by AI are not divine revelations (absolute truth); some may be correct, while others may not. This is especially true for translations, where meanings can vary, so a skilled human should always review the results. AI can only provide answers based on the information it has. If it lacks adequate data on a topic, it cannot give a reliable answer. Do not think that AI knows everything—it doesn’t. AI searches and looks for information. For instance, if you ask about a specific pen, it will search websites and gather meanings. But for topics that have no research or data, AI cannot respond accurately. Now, if you ask AI about ways to treat addiction, it may give explanations that are partly correct and partly wrong. It might mention treatments like Naloxone, Naltrexone, or even approaches like free fall, and describe many other methods that are actually inaccurate. If you ask whether addiction has a cure, AI might simply say no, reflecting the information it has. Similarly, if you ask AI whether there is a cure for Multiple Sclerosis (MS), it will say no, based on the information it has. This shows that not everything AI says is absolute truth. So, we should discuss AI in the upcoming session and make it a formal agenda for the next sessions.
In the past, there was no official website at all, and many organizations, even governmental, didn’t have websites. I don’t exactly remember the year, but it was during the early years of Congress 60 when we decided to create a website. The site we built worked like this: whatever information or content we wrote had to go through one person, then another, and by the end of the week it would be posted. It was a very difficult and complicated process. Later, Shahrouz joined, and gradually we took on the responsibility ourselves. I told the website team that I wanted the site to be like a stew pot, where we could add potatoes, chickpeas, and meat whenever needed. If we didn’t want the chickpeas or potatoes, we could remove them. In other words, we could add more water, adjust the salt, and have full control over everything.
In the beginning, Shahrouz was managing the website. Over time, an English version of the site was also created, and the visits were very high. Back then, there was no chat or instant messaging yet. I said I wanted to create a space on the site where people could talk, discuss, and write together. Thus, we set up a Discussion Forum. Around 17 or 18 of the Congress members were in charge of it. But we saw that the talks were unintentionally drifting into religious, political, and other kinds of debates that brought nothing but trouble. So, I decided to temporarily close the forum until further notice. Now it’s been more than twenty years since we closed it, and we realized that such forums create problems and lead to clashes of opinion.
It is good to know that we work in Congress 60 because we all share a common goal and focus on common points. God willing, this should continue in the future. The common points include addiction and public health, quitting smoking and its treatment, ensuring that the Jones’s Legions work effectively, and living together peacefully and harmoniously. These are our shared points, and we work on them. Politics is not our common ground. People may have different views and beliefs—some are communists, some deeply religious, some believers in God and some non-believers. Everyone has their own opinion, but for us that doesn’t matter. Whoever comes into this community (the Congress 60 community) should not be questioned about their faith. In this community we help people heal; their religion, faith, government, or politics are not important to us. That’s why in Congress 60 we enjoy being with one another and we don’t fight. We don’t ask each other what our religion is or what we believe in.
In a Legion, pupils may hold very different views—some may be deeply religious and strongly support the current government, while others may hold the opposite opinion. Yet, they have no conflicts with each other and do not argue. The law is important, but enforcing the law is even more important. We have set many rules, but they often are not enforced; wherever a rule is enforced, it usually requires force or pressure. In Congress 60, however, we enforce the rules without any force.
In the virtual space, we want to look at issues from different perspectives and focus on the spiritual aspects of Congress 60. Of course, Congress 60 is spiritual and helps people, but it is not sacred. If it helps people to come out of darkness, that is good and valuable; but it does not heal, and we do not kiss doors, walls, or anyone’s hands. These things are like poison for us because our main goal is to cure addiction and the state of well-being we achieve. Our work is entirely scientific and practical, not purely spiritual. We are invited to the most important and sensitive international congresses and interact with medical professionals from various specialties. Fortunately, inside the country, scientific centers like faculties and universities—including Isfahan University—collaborate well with us. We also have our own university, in Qeshm, which is being organized to enter various fields. God willing, it will reach its goals, accept students, and provide programs like engineering courses related to addiction issues. So, we should always stay on the scientific path and keep working to expand our knowledge.
I also address spiritual matters, discussing the Soul, the Self, and the life after death. This information helps us live better, and we strive to learn it in order to improve the quality of our lives.
When I say that nothing belongs to anyone and everything is entrusted to us, I mean that we do not truly own anything: houses, gardens, factories, bank money, gold, dollars, or any other assets are all entrusted to us. A wise person knows that everything in their hands is entrusted to them, and they should use it for themselves, their family, and to help those in need. Is there anything wrong with not misusing this trust and also helping others? No. This way of thinking guides us from childhood to adulthood toward saving, using resources wisely, and serving others.
If you adopt this mindset, you won’t resort to tricks and schemes to take advantage of others, or endlessly accumulate wealth. What’s the point of gathering money when it’s not truly yours? We see people hoarding their wealth, refusing to share it with anyone, even to the point of wasting it. In other words, if you accumulate riches, you should use them to help others. I say this to teach you not to spend your life hoarding wealth, because after you die, your possessions will be used up, and no one will come to your grave—not even to honor or remember you. At first, a few might come, but soon, no one will. I teach about the afterlife so that we can apply its lessons in our daily lives.
This matter is very serious. A close relative once shared this story with me. He said that my uncle had immense wealth—so much that only God knows. He raised horses in Dubai, owned numerous properties in Shiraz, and had huge fortunes and investments in Canada. When he wanted to eat meat, he chose the finest game meat and the best oils—but he wouldn’t give any to his child. His son was fifty years old and living in Canada, yet he hadn’t received a single coin. Eventually, the father gave his son a power of attorney to sell properties and manage some affairs, since he wouldn’t give him money directly. Holding a grudge, the son transferred all the assets to his own account and sold everything—the houses in Dubai, Canada, and even the home where his father had lived. Then he disappeared. For five or six years, the father couldn’t see him. The father realized all his wealth was gone; everything had been taken by the son because he hadn’t been given directly. He hadn’t given money to his daughters, his sons, or his sons-in-law. Everything was sold by his son. The father went to court so many times that he eventually suffered a stroke. After the father’s death, when asked to pay for the funeral, the son refused, saying: “This is my money, and I won’t spend it.”
Sometimes situations like this happen to teach us a lesson: not to cling to the world. It’s good to have money, save, buy a house, enjoy yourself, and do other things, but always remember that these things are entrusted to us—they are not truly ours. Remember that your children, and everyone who comes into your care, are entrusted to you. The only thing that truly remains with us is love and affection. If there is love and affection, we will be together in the next world and it will be meaningful; without it, nothing remains for us.
Thank you for listening to me.
https://www.congress60.org/News/440760/%DA%A9%D8%A7%D8%B1%DA%AF%D8%A7%D9%87-%D8%A2%D9%85%D9%88%D8%B2%D8%B4%DB%8C-%D8%AC%D9%87%D8%A7%D9%86%E2%80%8C%D8%A8%DB%8C%D9%86%DB%8C-%D8%A7%D8%B2-%D8%B3%D8%A7%DB%8C%D8%AA-%D9%81%D8%B6%D8%A7%DB%8C-%D9%85%D8%AC%D8%A7%D8%B2%DB%8C-%D9%88-%D9%87%D9%88%D8%B4-%D9%85%D8%B5%D9%86%D9%88%D8%B9%DB%8C-%D8%AF%D8%B1-%DA%A9%D9%86%DA%AF%D8%B1%D9%87-60-%DA%86%DA%AF%D9%88%D9%86%D9%87-%D8%A7%D8%B3%D8%AA%D9%81%D8%A7%D8%AF%D9%87-%D9%85%DB%8C%E2%80%8C%DA%A9%D9%86%D9%85
Translated by: Companion Samira, Legion 18, Sheikhbahaei branch of Congress 60, Isfahan, Iran
Edited and revised by Elahe