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The tenth session of the 85th round of Congress 60 educational workshops for travelers and comanions, chaired and supervised by Mr. Dezhakam with Ms. Nilsa as the secretary, commenced on Wednesday, July 27, 2025, at 10:15 a.m. The topic of the session was “From Obedience to Command.”
Hello friends, I am Hossein, a traveler.
I hope you are all doing well. By the grace of God, I am also well. Today is Tuesday, August 27, 2025, and the time is 10:24 a.m. Shahrivar is the last month of summer; soon we will step into autumn, and before we know it, winter will arrive, then spring again—a never-ending cycle of renewal.
Now, the agenda of today is “From Obedience to Command.”
Congress 60 has no police force, no security unit, and no judiciary. None of these exist here. Everything functions on the basis of shared principles among us, because all members serve one another with love, with the intention of helping and supporting others. For this reason, rules are respected. There are certain regulations that, fortunately, are observed very carefully in Congress 60. One such rule is that lower-ranking members must listen to and follow the instructions of those in higher responsibility.
For example, when a Marzban (border guard) issues a reminder or gives an instruction, everyone must accept it—no matter who they are. In the military, we had the Dezhban (military police), whose duty was to maintain order among army personnel. Sometimes the Dezhban could be just an ordinary conscript soldier, but even if a colonel—someone of very high rank—had, say, an open button, an untucked shirt, or some disorder in appearance, that soldier had the authority to correct him, and the colonel was obliged to accept it. The colonel could not say, “I’m a colonel and you’re just a soldier.” Because at that moment, the authority of the Dezhban superseded rank. Even a general could be stopped and corrected if necessary, and he had to comply.
In the same way, within Congress 60, if a Marzban gives a reminder to a guide who has been serving for twenty years, the guide must respectfully respond, “Yes, understood,” not dismissively say, “Child, I was a guide long before you were even born,” or “I was already a Marzban when you hadn’t even come into this world.” No—the rule is that they must accept the admonition or reminder. And, to this day, this regulation has been implemented in a very beautiful and effective way in Congress 60: whoever has a responsibility in any position must be respected. This is the essence of obedience.
Obedience does not mean that once you are promoted to a higher level, you no longer need to follow instructions. In every role and position, when a directive is given, it must be carried out. If not, the first and second times you will be reminded, but by the third or fourth time, you will simply be removed from that role, no matter what your position is. This is not like a government office where you, as a worker, can protest by saying, “I have insurance, I have years of service, I won’t leave until you give me my retirement benefits.” Congress 60 has none of that. Here, the principle is simple: if you are unable or unwilling to listen to your superior, if you no longer understand your responsibility, you are immediately replaced. No exceptions.
Another matter is about the research reports, which I have not yet shared with you. In recent months, we conducted a study on epilepsy. The experiments were carried out on mice, in collaboration with Bristol General Hospital in the United Kingdom. A portion of our work—specifically the PI/Annexin V assays, which are designed to examine living cells—was done jointly with the University of Cambridge.
During our research on epilepsy, there were also groups from Spain and the United States involved in similar studies. From among all those groups, the very first article to be published was ours—and it successfully reached a conclusion. Meanwhile, many of the other teams are still searching for a potential drug to treat epilepsy. They have been pursuing this line of research for twelve or thirteen years and still have not achieved definitive results and they are still searching to find a solution for epilepsy. We joined their efforts only recently, yet our article was the first to be published.
Now, let me explain: articles coming from Iran often face serious obstacles. Many journals reject them outright, while others demand rigorous verification processes. This is not a political issue—it has nothing to do with the Iranian government or strained relations with the United States. We should not attribute this problem to “the government.” The real issue lies within the academic and research community itself. Because so many fake or fraudulent papers have been submitted in the past, the credibility of research from Iran has been badly damaged.
As a result, any paper from Iran must undergo strict verification. Some journals refuse them entirely, simply saying: “We don’t have the patience for this.” Others agree to consider them, but only after extensive verification, which also requires significant costs. Everything is determined by the Western institutes.
They check every small detail. This is the level of scrutiny faced when submitting a paper from Iran. And yet, despite all these obstacles, our epilepsy research article was successfully published.
Our next article was on ulcerative colitis, published as a Short Communication. It was connected to the topic of wound healing—that is, the repair or recovery of damaged tissue.
To clarify, ulcerative colitis refers to inflammation and ulceration in the large intestine. The word colitis itself means inflammation of the colon, and ulcerative colitis specifically refers to a condition where the colon develops open sores or bleeding ulcers. In our research, we studied both colitis itself and, in collaboration with the University of Cambridge—where our IPC (cell-based) experiments were conducted—we also addressed the broader issue of wound healing.
In these studies, we investigated how our own DST method as well as opium tincture (OT) could contribute to the healing of wounds. The question was: how does this system promote the process of wound healing?
Now, wound healing is not limited only to ulcerative colitis or the intestines. If there is bleeding in the stomach, it helps to stop it. If the spleen is bleeding, it helps control that as well. If the duodenum (the upper part of the small intestine) is bleeding, it too can be stopped. In fact, anywhere in the body where bleeding occurs, the mechanism that controls and repairs the injury is referred to as wound healing.
This article was also connected to that line of research. It was published in one of the major American journals.
Another point is that we are constantly receiving invitations to international congresses and conferences. I cannot give you the exact number, but we may have received between 50 and 60 invitations to attend global and international scientific gatherings. All of these are connected with our published papers. For example, regarding addiction, we were invited from the UK to participate as keynote speakers. We were also invited to conferences in Orlando and Florida, as well as many times from Spain, China, and numerous European countries. Naturally, we cannot attend all of them.
Among these, one of the most important was related to addiction in Boston. This is the world’s largest congress on healthy approaches to addiction treatment. At this congress—which is currently ongoing—we submitted two papers. Both were accepted immediately, outside the usual review process. Normally, papers must go through a two-month evaluation and peer review. But in our case, they accepted them outright without any review at all.
We were also invited to pharmacology and pharmaceutical science conferences. Overall, the number of invitations we receive is very large, but we selectively choose which ones to attend, based on their quality and the opportunities they present. In other words, it is no longer the case that we apply to attend congresses ourselves. Now, the situation is such that we are invited to attend their congresses and present our research.
As for journal publications, the trend has also shifted. Nowadays, journals themselves write to us, asking us to submit our articles. They even offer us discounts and propose collaboration. This shows the position our research has reached.
Of course, there have been some delays in publication. We faced some complications and challenges that slowed down the process. Nevertheless, the papers are gradually being published. Currently, we have four or five additional articles in the pipeline, awaiting acceptance.
Next week, the Addiction Science Congress will begin. We will also participate there, presenting a very important panel—one that offers a new perspective on treatment and recovery in addiction. In Boston as well, I gave a lecture. While the organizers always invite us to attend in person and offer full facilities, often we cannot travel. Instead, we record our presentations and send them to them, which they play during the event.
These are some of the works I had not previously spoken about, but they are well underway. For example, Professor William White has been writing a series of papers, one of which has already been submitted to journals. It focuses on Congress 60 and examines how treatment and recovery take place here in Congress 60, he also presents a fresh perspective that brings together all current methods of treating addiction in the world and comparing and contrasting all these methods in one frame.
Some groups claim, “We only treat through spirituality.” Others insist, “No, treatment must be purely pharmaceutical.” But Congress 60 is unique because it integrates medication, therapy, recovery, worldview, spirituality, social support, sports, and the arts. For instance, we have a large and active music group, as well as strong athletic teams. Just today, our Congress 60 rugby team placed third nationwide in the seven-player championship in Zanjan. We will present the trophies to our athlete members here. For some time, they were less active, but now they have resumed their efforts, and God willing, they will win first place both in the seven-player and the fifteen-player divisions. I am confident that if they continue transcribing Congress 60’s educational CDs consistently, they will surely reach that goal. Congress 60 and I will provide any support needed for rugby team to flourish.
Another paper is also in progress, authored by several professors in the United States together with the Chestnut Research Institute. They are comparing the treatment method of Congress 60 with the recognized scientific approaches used in the United States. They want to understand how Congress 60 has achieved such remarkable results, since our system fundamentally challenges old structures and outdated ideas.
For example, in most treatment models around the world, the dominant philosophy is avoidance. A doctor, to treat your obesity, may tell you, “Don’t eat bread, don’t eat pasta.” Likewise, addiction treatment programs in the world often instruct patients: “Don’t pass by places where drugs are present, don’t look at drugs, don’t meet old addicted friends, don’t revisit old environments reminding you of drugs and addiction.” Always, the emphasis is on avoidance.
Congress 60 takes a very different approach. Here, individuals who once used opium are now actively working in clinics. They help doctors, they handle OT distribution, they monitor and supervise the OT distribution without any problems [craving or temptations]. Our philosophy is not avoidance.
Another important paper, co-authored by Dr. Sarah Pass and several colleagues, is also forthcoming. It will provide clear scientific evidence on how treatment in Congress 60 truly works.
Let us return to today’s agenda—this is something that all of us must work on.
I regularly receive reports from the branches. For example, in a recent report about the Saveh branch, it was noted that the spirit of love, enthusiasm, and hard work was missing there. The inspection team had visited, and their report was not positive. Therefore, I am announcing right now that, until further notice, the Saveh branch is no longer permitted to accept new students. We must first reorganize it—either by transferring its members to another branch or by making other arrangements.
If the local people and members of a city do not take responsibility for themselves, then we immediately give the necessary warnings. And if the problem persists, we close that branch at once. We only set up our presence where there is demand, and the members are nice, active and valuable. If it is not, we simply shut it down and direct people to neighboring cities.
All branches must learn to stand on their own feet and to serve with sincerity, with love, and with gratitude—just as they once received liberation from addiction, they must now value it and preserve it.
This morning, someone came to me. He had suffered from ulcerative colitis—bleeding ulcers in the colon. He once had to go to the bathroom fifteen or sixteen times a day, with constant bleeding and complications. Now he is healed, his condition is under control. And yet he comes to me saying, “I cannot sleep well, what should I do?” I said to him: “Man, you should be dancing with joy every day! You had such a serious disease, and now you are healed. And you are worried about a little sleep?!”
Another lady came—she had ovarian problems, liver issues, multiple tumors throughout her body. She has recovered. Instead of celebrating that, she says, “I still don’t sleep well, because my husband’s recovery is not going well, and it affects my sleep.” I told her: “Look at how much has been restored in your life! That is worth millions, even billions. You must value what you have.”
This is the point: when we reach liberation and freedom (from addiction, from illness), we must know its value, we must honor it. When we reach liberation from addiction, we should recognize that it was achieved because others served us and helped us. Therefore, we too must serve humanity in return. Most of our members understand this: they realize what they have gained, and how they reached it.
I know people who have quit drugs cold turkey 20 or 25 years ago. Still today, when they wake up in the morning, they say: “Thank God, today I have not used drugs.” And they know that by evening, the struggle continues. They still feel vulnerable and immediately bring themselves to a meeting. They attend sessions faithfully, they have craving or temptation, and they must avoid many things.
But here in Congress 60, members have been healed comfortably, freely, joyfully. They no longer feel any craving for drugs. This must be valued. The fact that your guide works tirelessly for you—this must be valued. The fact that the Marzbans (border-guards) give instructions—your response should be “Yes, understood. I obey.” This is the true meaning of obedience.
When obedience is present, we can achieve results. Congress 60 is like a great symphony orchestra: every part works in harmony toward a greater purpose. If that harmony did not exist, we could not have so many active branches today. Everywhere, construction projects are underway. Donors (those members of Congress 60 who donate 1000 dollars), Pahlevans (those who donate 10000 dollars to Congress 60), and all members are all participating and contributing (to the development of Congress 60). The support is widespread. Only a very small number fail to value this, and they are the only ones who harm themselves by doing so.
When the Congress 60 branch was established in Saveh, it had to be protected and maintained with full commitment and determination. Whenever orders come from higher authorities and they visit, the proper response is: “Yes, of course, understood. It will be done.” This is how we learn leadership—by first practicing obedience. The one who becomes a leader is the one who has first been a good follower. A person who refuses to follow orders is revealing ego, selfishness, and arrogance. When told, “Do this,” and they respond with, “No,” that is simply their ego speaking. Instead, they should say, “Yes, of course,” because the instruction comes from a superior.
No one has absolute authority without accountability. Every one of us is answerable to someone above us; there is always a higher and a lower rank. The only exception is God. Beyond God, the Absolute Power, everyone has a superior—even the prophets received commands from One higher than themselves. The only being without a higher authority is God Himself. Therefore, when we fail to learn obedience, it stems from ignorance and arrogance, from imagining ourselves too great, too wise, too all-knowing.
That is why, in Congress 60, we must all learn the principle of obedience. Without it, no one will ever reach leadership. And those who do reach leadership—whether as agents (those who responsible for Congress 60’s branches) or in higher positions within Congress 60—carry greater responsibility, precisely because they are the ones who obey. Those who do not obey will eventually be brought to the attention of the leadership, and decisions will be made accordingly.
God willing, all of us together can teach obedience to those under our care, creating a vibrant and effective system. When the system functions properly, results will follow, and we will be able to help more human beings.
The ultimate purpose of Congress 60 is to help people break free from addiction, and to support families so they can live in peace and harmony with a member in recovery. This is the essence of our mission. The goal is not to become a Guardian or an Agent, no! It makes no difference what role you serve in. The true goal is service: the more one serves humanity, the more noble and chosen that person becomes.
God says in the holy Qur’an: “Indeed, the most honored of you in the sight of God is the most righteous of you.” Notice—it does not say the closest to God are the Christians, or Jews, or Muslims. It does not say men, women, young, old, rich, poor, mystic, or ascetic. No—it simply says, “The most righteous among you.” The one who is the most obedient, the most devoted, is the one nearest to God.
The same applies in Congress 60. The one closest to its core is the one who is the most righteous, the most service-oriented. And all of us, one day, will finish our service. We serve for a time, and then we step aside for someone else to continue. When that day comes, we must not resent it or withdraw in anger.
My hope is that together we can address these matters, discuss obedience openly in this session, and carry the conversation forward. Thank you all for your attention—I am truly grateful.
Before moving on to the 11th Law, we have a covenant — the Dideban’s (Watchers) Assistant Covenant. Mr. Asghar, please come forward and let’s give him a round of applause.
Mr. Mansouri:
Hello friends, I am Asghar, a traveler.
We are grateful to God for granting us the opportunity to serve, and I also thank Mr. Dezhakam for creating the conditions that make service possible for all of us. I am here today to introduce Mr. Bahram, with the permission of Mr. Dezhakam, as a Dideban’s Assistant. Thank you.
Mr. Dezhakam:
If he wishes to say a few words, let him. Tell us what his role will be. Have you mentioned what his occupation is?
Mr. Mansouri:
Yes, I have.
Mr. Dezhakam:
Then explain it as well!
Mr. Mansouri:
As has been made clear, and according to the law passed by the Council of Didebans, an Assistant to the Dideban, when present in branches or other locations visited by the Didebans, carries the same authority as the Dideban themselves. His opinions are to be regarded as the Watcher’s opinions. He is responsible for overseeing inspections and ensuring the implementation of Congress 60’s regulations, making sure these laws are carried out in the best possible manner. I wish him success in this role, and I hope he will be successful in this position. Thank you.
Mr. Bahram:
Hello friends, I am Bahram, a traveler.
First and foremost, I would like to congratulate Mr. Dezhakam and all dear members on the latest success of Congress 60 and on the achievement of the Congress 60 Research Team with their article on epilepsy. I am deeply grateful to Mr. Dezhakam, who—as he himself often reminds us—teaches that God does not grant the privilege of serving His creation to just anyone. He has made it possible for us in Congress 60 to find the means of service, so that each one of us may serve others. Truly, it is a blessing to be able to serve within Congress 60 and to assist those who are suffering. I am very thankful to Mr. Dezhakam.
Mr. Dezhakam: Now we move on to the rugby champions who won third place in the country.
Let the rugby athletes come forward, along with their officials. If the Secretary of the Sports Council is present, please join us as well.
Is the Secretary of the Sports Council here, or not?
Is Mr. Hakimi absent?
Mr. Dezhakam:
Rugby players, please come forward. Let some of you stand on this side and some on that side—both sides, please. Mashallah, mashallah, mashallah.
I will now read your official certificate. This is the Championship Decree issued by the Iran’s Federation of Sports Associations:
In the name of the Creator of Kindness. It is a championship certificate, [and the names are recorded along with the teams national IDs].
In recognition of your achievement in the National Adult Open Championships on August 23, 2025, representing Tehran Province, Congress 60 “group A”, and for securing third place, you are hereby awarded this Championship Decree. It is hoped that, with the guidance of God Almighty and through continued effort and dedication, you will succeed in advancing and developing the sport of rugby.
All the certificates are Signed byAbbas Nategh Nouri, President of the Federation of Sports Associations of the Islamic Republic of Iran.
These championship certificates will later be personally handed out to the players by Mr. Salami.
In the past, rugby and archery were managed separately from other sports. However, now both rugby and archery fall under the Sports Council; they have representatives and operate under the Council’s supervision. Mr. Salami is responsible for rugby, and Mr. Amin oversees archery, but both are accountable to the Sports Council.
It is important to note that all rugby players must maintain proper records of their CDs (transcribe the educational CDs of Congress 60), which I will have inspected and verified. If the records are not maintained, it is unacceptable. We are very happy that rugby has achieved national championship status, but responsibilities must still be fulfilled.
Secondly, I am giving Imān the opportunity to reduce his waistline—seriously! A Congress 60 coach cannot have an overweight belly; it simply doesn’t make sense. It is absolutely unacceptable and must be corrected. I am very serious about this; it is part of the rules. For example, if a guide is five kilograms overweight, I do not allow them to serve as a guide or Dideban. Now imagine the national rugby coach being 40–50 kilograms overweight!
Take this seriously. I am giving you the chance, but otherwise, changes will be required. Check yourselves and your teammates—this is 100% mandatory. Otherwise, frankly, you will be removed from the game.
Finally, congratulations. First, be a disciplined and well-organized member of Congress. Second, be champions and role models, and act accordingly. I entrust all of you to God Almighty. Of course, I will present your awards later.
Closing Remarks – Mr. Dezhakam:
Even I, myself, could not have built Congress 60 properly if I had not been obedient. I followed the instructions of my guides and mentors, I listened carefully, and I practiced obedience—and that is how I reached a position of leadership. This truth applies to all of us.
Translated by Elahe
