January 8, 2024
Dear Hossein,
I am glad to hear that you are well and as involved as ever. The two forthcoming publications you note will add to the body of research being disseminated by Congress 60. I look forward to reading them when they are published. The collaboration with Bristol University continues to reap many benefits. The experiential knowledge that is the foundation of Congress 60 is now being enriched by the scientific knowledge emerging from your own laboratory and your collaborations with other research scientists. This combination of experiential and scientific knowledge has the potential to open new avenues in the treatment of addiction and other life-threatening disorders around the world.
This is the first time you have shared information with me on the companion present ritual within Congress 60. Please tell me how this ritual developed and the purpose for which it is intended to that I may share this information with others. This is a lovely ritual, and I will be happy to participate in it by giving a gift of money to my wife Rita this week. She is quite deserving of such a gift given her devotion and support over so many years.
I will share the book chapter I am co-authoring with Dr. Best as soon as we have a draft of it complete. I think the book is set for release in later 2024 or early 2025.
I look forward to seeing the video on the University construction. This is such an important project that will extend the reach of Congress 60 far beyond its current boundaries.
In the U.S., we now have a role comparable to the Congress 60 Guide which here is called a “recovery coach” or a “recovery support specialist.” The coaches are primarily people in recovery who have gone through a training program and been certified to perform this service. There are fees required to pay for such training that not all people interested in this work can afford. I am presently involved in working with a group of people to create a scholarship fund to pay for such training for those who cannot afford it and to also pay for some of these individuals to support their entrance into college or university. Are there specialized training programs comparable to your training program for Guides that people working in other addiction programs in Iran are expected to complete before working as counselors or coaches? Are there fees or required to participate in such training or scholarships available to help such individuals get accepted for such training?
We are having unusually rainy weather for this time of year in Florida. Our rainy season usually ends around November 1, but this year the rains have continued well into the new year, including some severe storms, which are quite unusual for this time of year. I think Mother Nature is expressing her displeasure with the human activities that are threatening her.
Please extend my warmest regards to your family and to all members of Congress 60.
Friends and Brothers Forever