A “SEKEM Day” was organized by the SEKEM Friends Association Germany for their members and other interested parties to get to know news about SEKEM and to exchange ideas. Dr. Roland Schaette, Chairman of the SEKEM Friends Association Germany, tells about insightful discussions and lectures around the topic “creating out of nothingness”.
Every year again it is interesting to see which ideas and impulses arise and who comes together on the SEKEM Day. On April 30, more than 200 guests gathered in the Kurhaus Stuttgart Bad Cannstatt with an eager joyful mood. During the whole day visitors could buy SEKEM products like textiles, tea, date confectionary and much more. Hence, the participants couldn’t take home only impulses, but also tangible items from SEKEM.
The conference’s topic „creating out of nothingness“ was introduced by the „silent“ speaking choir of Freies Jugendseminar Stuttgart, under the direction of Jidu Pasqualini. Afterwards, SEKEM founder Dr. Ibrahim Abouleish explained his view on choices of action between the past (the life that developed from the collective) and the future (individual initiative as awareness process). The future always challenges the “new”, which every individual has to look for in the context of his destiny. The question, “how did I become what I am” helps to realize the living space in which we were brought together with other people. Besides, activities and skills can be developed that help to get along with all people and cultures. Hence, the path becomes free for the future and its impulses.
From a community of “I’s” to a community of “We”
The afternoon discussion, led by Dr. Martin Kiligus, was exciting and informative as well. Dr. Ibrahim Abouleish, Patrizia Birkenberg, Gerald Häfner and Prof. Dr. Wolfgang Schad talked about development processes, community and future. Patrizia Brikenberg stressed on the meaning of processes within group dynamics as a community development project. The question, “how to build bridges to a living integration?” was answered by Dr. Ibrahim Abouleish with an execution about the development process in which a community of “We” can arise out of a community of different “I’s”.
Gerald Häfner added that our “I” isn’t yet what we expect it to be. The “I” is missing the ability to step out of what it became to start a new beginning. Therefore, we need the help of other people, who support us to get out of our habits and risk a new start.
“We can start every day new.”
Prof. Dr. Wolfgang Schad contributed to the discussion by saying that the “I” needs to be defined new. The future lies in the unknown and in uncertainty and induces us thereby to decide today, what should happen. But the future isn’t predictable. This causes uncertainty and indecision of the “I”. “And out of this inability of the “I” its future ability arises”, explained Dr. Schad. This leads us to an active dealing with the present, which stands between the good describable but stagnated past and the uncertain and open future. This presence is always in motion but yet still comprehensible. Accordingly, the conclusion and recognition of the SEKEM Day 2016 was: “We can start every day new.”
Dr. Roland Schaette
Chariman of the SEKEM Friends Association Germany
Photos: © SEKEM Friends Association Germany
SEKEM Friends Association Germany (German)
SEKEM Day 2015