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Friends – here is the second of a three-part series of highlights from the interview we held with Lama Ole and Caty about moreEC last summer.  The full interview can be found in the “moreEC Reports” – http://more.ec/events/report/.

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Q. We saw how the purchase of the Europe Center was a new stage for the international sangha, having all come together on one project.  How do you imagine that the blessing will manifest after we realize this stage of EC development together?

Ole: Many people will have benefit. Our goal is not to make institutions. It is for people to have benefit, to meet the Buddha’s teachings, especially with the Diamond Way, and to really benefit like that. Many more people will be benefited. It is the only goal.

Caty: Many more people will believe in their power. It was so strong to see people get an idea of what they can achieve if they work together. This time it will happen on an even larger scale. It is very unique with Ole. He doesn’t call it a one-time thing, but he says, “You can do that again.” What we did was not an exception. The Diamond Way sangha can do that again and again and again. To feel that worldwide unity and strength is a very good exercise. In the end of course it is all illusion; in the end it is what we dream that we manifest. It’s really great that this experience follows so quickly after the first one, and that it’s possible thanks to Ole’s words. Without Ole’s words nobody would believe that we could do it again. But now we say, “Ok, let’s do it.” This is a really great way our teachers work with our possibilities.

Ole: I am glad to have people like Caty practically helping me.

Caty: I learnt it from you. We came to some places which were in such rough shape that there was hardly a wall standing. Ole came and said, “What a wonderful place. It is so beautiful here. Amazing what you can do here.” I wondered what he was talking about. Now, 15 years later, I come to this amazing place with all walls standing and everything functioning well. It is beautiful; people come and go, working and meditating. He just sees the potential in us, and everywhere. I wish you all will feel it one day. We were very few people who saw that with our own eyes.

Ole: People will just understand that houses don’t get happy, cars don’t get happy; the only thing that gets happy is their mind. They start looking for happiness where it is – in the mind, and not in all kinds of places where it is not. If people just do that, it is one step in their maturity. It is what makes our work possible; more and more people do it, more and more find their inner power, more and more realize that not only can they benefit themselves – one person, but can benefit all – many people. This quality is really a joy for me. As people’s lama and close friend, when I see people jump over that barrier, I am impressed. This is how I feel.  Amazed that someone has learnt something that was wise.

Q. How would you advise your centers which are in full building mode, to keep a balance in supporting the Europe Center and their local project? Should there be emphasis on one or the other?

Ole: Generally we say 50-50 if they can. One foot here and one foot there. But of course it is up to people everywhere and depends upon the closeness of one’s connection. Continuing the work already in progress should continue.

We could look to Vienna for an example. They decided to work more slowly in order to be able to give to both places. They will make the outer form first, without going much into the details. That level will be taken care of gradually once this stage has been achieved.

We would not interrupt any projects that are in motion in order to get enough to complete the EC. On the other hand if people manage to make the EC a priority, there will be a lot of good energy behind all of our projects afterwards.

Caty: It’s important to do everything from freewill and surplus. There is no tax that has to be given to the organization. This is very important not to misunderstand. Everyone’s surplus is individual, and it is very important that nobody feels strange about giving. Of course it is useful to have a point of reference. That is why Ole says 50-50. But it is not that you have to; it is not a tax. We want to keep everything joyful.  We want to complete the vision of the EC because we believe it is the next step for the Diamond Way, but it should come out of surplus like everything we do.