The fourteenth session of the 85th round of the Congress 60 educational workshops, held for both travelers and companions, commenced at 10:00 a.m. on Wednesday, October 1, 2025. The session was conducted under the guidance and chairmanship of Mr. Hossein Dezhakam, with Ms. Forough serving as the secretary. The topic of the session was “Order, Discipline, and Respect in Congress 60.”
Hello friends, I am Hossein, a traveler.
I hope you are all doing well — thank God, I am fine too. Today, there were thankfully a great number of liberations. We managed to finish everything on time, though I had to sacrifice my swimming session today because of all the work related to you!
Well, today is Wednesday, October 1st, 2025. The time is four minutes to ten in the morning, and we are at the Academy building in Tehran. The fifth Didebans’ (Watchers) Meeting of the year 1404 (2025) was held on Monday, September 29th, at 2:00 p.m. in the Simorgh building, under the supervision and chairmanship of Mr. Hossein Dezhakam and with Mr. Khodami serving as secretary. The topics discussed and reviewed in that meeting were as follows:
1. The Oath Ceremony for New Didebans (Watchers):
We had several new Didebans who took their oaths — Mr. Javad, Mr. Abdollah, and Ms. Hajimir (a female traveler) — and each received their Dideban’s scarf.
Other issues were also discussed, including proposals for establishing new branches for female travelers in several cities. These proposals were postponed for further discussion and decision-making in upcoming meetings.
The Didebans present at the meeting included Mrs. Kamandar, Ms. Hajimir, Mr. Ali Ashkezari, Babak, Mehdi, Ali Majdian, Reza, Mehdi Sedighi, Mohammadreza, Alireza, Asghar, Ahmad, Majid, Javad, Abdollah, and Ali—all dear friends who attended the session.
That concludes my report for now.
The agenda for today’s meeting is “Order, Discipline, and Respect.”
Now, let me give you a brief update on our ongoing work — particularly our research projects. As I mentioned before, we have received invitations from over forty or fifty international conferences across the Americas, Europe, Asia, and other regions, covering various topics. From these, we selected ten to participate in. One of these conferences focused on epilepsy in the United States, another on addiction treatment in Orlando and Philadelphia, and one more related to the U.S. but being held in Barcelona, Spain. Our article which will be presented in Barcelona focuses on D-sap [a syrup created by Mr. Dezhakam, made up of apples and grapes and has a special formula], which involved the experiments and analyses we conducted — including components like Lactobacillus, probiotics, and micronutrients that are highly beneficial and constructive for the human body.
We were invited to present our findings there. The presentation and the materials we submitted were received so positively that, even though the official conference is scheduled for 2026, the organizers sent us an email expressing their appreciation and requested permission to publish our speech, summary, photos, and biography as a demo presentation on their website ahead of the conference date.
In fact, for the first time in the field of pharmaceutical sciences, when we presented a paper, I was selected as the Special Keynote Speaker—a great honor—and they wanted to announce it on their website beforehand.
The upcoming conference is only a few months away, and in most of these conferences we participate in, we are invited as keynote speakers. Our research work continues to progress steadily.
Our study on amphetamines (tested on mice) has been accepted for publication, and we are now awaiting its release. We are also conducting similar studies on fentanyl and opium, and we are planning to begin our work on alcohol and heroin soon.
The topic we are discussing today involves three key concepts: respect, order, and discipline. But before addressing these, we must first understand an important truth: we ourselves determine how others perceive us. It is we who decide whether people respect us or not. It depends entirely on our own behavior.
Someone said, “People laugh at my beard.” [A wise man] replied, “Then your beard must indeed be laughable — otherwise, no one would laugh at it.”
Therefore, we must examine how we behave so that others will treat us with respect. This involves order, discipline, and respect.
For example, order means that if you have an appointment at ten o’clock, do you actually arrive at ten? or eleven? Or if you have decided to wake up at a certain hour and perform a specific task, do you truly follow through? In essence, order makes tasks much easier. It allows for proper planning and smooth execution of one’s duties.
One of the great benefits of prayer is that it teaches us order. Every day you perform certain rites at a set time, and that trains you to be orderly. There’s something many of us don’t know — most men don’t know it, and many women don’t either. When men speak to women, or women to men, there are certain manners and courtesies to observe; respect must be maintained.
A woman doesn’t say to a man, “qorbānatān beravam” (literally, “may I be sacrificed for you” — i.e., “I’m at your service”), and likewise a man should not say that to a woman. If a woman calls a man, the man can’t answer back with “jan!” [meaning dear] as if they’re lovers — I sometimes call someone “Mohammad, traveler,” and he replies “jan!” and I say, “Am I your wife or your girlfriend that you call me ‘jan’?” The proper response would be something like “Yes, please” or “Go ahead.” In short, terms of endearment must be used in their proper place.
Saying “I’m your servant” (i.e., “nokaretam” / “chakaretam”) makes no sense — what do you mean, “I’m your servant”? Here isn’t some old slum part of the city, where people used to use these expressions in the past. These expressions aren’t part of contemporary culture. And expressions like “damet garm” (roughly “good on you” / “thanks”)—well, what does that even mean? I associate that kind of slang with people who smoke hashish; it’s not appropriate in formal or respectful conversation. So there are some phrases or slangs we should simply stop using.
Also, consider how you enter a closed room: you should knock. Until you are invited—until someone says “befarmā” (“please come in”)—you are not allowed to open the door. I was once sitting in my room when someone knocked and then immediately opened the door. I said, “Why didn’t you wait for me to say ‘come in’?” Even at home, whether it’s your daughter, your son, or your spouse, you shouldn’t fling open their door as if you’re catching a thief. Even if you are their mom or dad, you are not allowed to enter their rooms before they invite you in. You might accidentally walk in while they’re changing clothes or preparing something. You should knock and wait; if they call out, “Come in,” only then should you open the door.
As I’ve mentioned before, when you enter a room—especially an office—you cannot simply walk in and sit down right away. Suppose you enter a government office: there may be many empty chairs, and an employee or manager is seated there. You can’t just sit without permission; you must wait until you are invited to sit. Sitting down uninvited can be seen as quite disrespectful.
I remember once attending a legal proceeding. We had a civil case and went to the courthouse. As we entered the judge’s room, I was accompanied by another man who held an important position. He walked straight in, didn’t greet anyone, and immediately sat down in front of the judge, who was writing something. The judge glanced at him briefly and went back to his notes. I remained standing. The judge then looked up and said, “Why don’t you sit down?” I replied, “May I have your permission?” He said, “Please, have a seat.”
Now, see how beautiful that is? I sat down, and then the judge turned to the other man and said sharply, “Who told you to sit?” This shows that no matter how just or impartial the judge tries to be, that small act—the way you behave—remains in his mind. Did you show respect? Did you ask permission? You cannot simply act without invitation.
The same applies to speaking: if someone hasn’t asked you a question, don’t interrupt or answer prematurely, and do not give extra and unnecessary answers to a question. Many other criteria are important in communications.
When you go to an office, sometimes the staff member will stand up, take your file, and go out of their office to help you—because you treated them with respect. But if you’re rude or dismissive, they might delay your work or do it poorly. It all depends on us—on how we behave.
When you get into a car, you should always say “hello” to the driver. Even if you take Snapp, and even if the driver is younger, it doesn’t matter—the person who enters must say “hello.”
Even if I were a hundred years old and walked into a room full of children, I should still say hello to them first, because I am the one entering. The same applies when you get into a taxi or any vehicle: it’s their space, and you are the guest. When leaving, you should say “goodbye” or “thank you.”
These small gestures are deeply meaningful. Some people get in without saying a word—no greeting, no acknowledgment. And when they leave, not even a simple “thank you” or “take care.” We must learn to use words like “please,” “excuse me,” and “I’m sorry.” That is the essence of respect.
Even at home—when your spouse serves you tea, say “thank you” or “I appreciate it.” When they cook a meal, say “thank you.” When they iron your clothes, say “thank you, that was kind of you.”
Or when the husband does some shopping—say he brings home a watermelon—don’t snap, “What kind of garbage did you buy? You’re useless!” If you do that, he’ll never buy a watermelon again. Or if he brings home apples and you scold, “These are rotten!” he’ll never buy apples again. Instead, you can say, “Thank you for buying these; next time, try to pick a better one.” That kind of tone encourages, not discourages.
Our manner of dealing with people determines everything. Sometimes our behavior is demanding or entitled. But being married doesn’t give anyone the right to be disrespectful or unkind. You can’t say, “It’s their duty.” It may be their duty—but where is your courtesy?
Even a Snapp driver who takes you somewhere—yes, it’s their job, and they’re paid for it—but still, saying “thank you” or “I appreciate it” shows your refinement and respect.
There is a well-known rule in top-tier hotels — the five-star ones and above — which says: “The customer is always right.” No matter what happens, they follow this principle. Why? Because the customer pays, and that payment keeps the business alive and prosperous. Therefore, the customer’s satisfaction must always come first; there should never be room for dissatisfaction. In every interaction, they maintain the belief that the customer is right.
Now, let’s apply that idea to our homes. Just because it’s our own child, daughter, or son, it doesn’t mean we can act however we like. Certain boundaries must be respected.
For instance, you do not have the right to pick up someone’s phone and go through it. You can’t just take your spouse’s phone, open it, and start checking who they’ve called or messaged. Sometimes people even disguise names — “Susan” might be saved as “Mr. Reza the mechanic,” or “Soghra” might be listed as “the architect.” If someone wants to hide something, no amount of snooping will stop them.
You also cannot take your daughter’s phone and look through it. That is not proper behavior. People often justify it by saying, “I’m searching her phone for her upbringing.” But upbringing doesn’t mean this [spying].
Education and upbringing mean spending meaningful time together: Have you ever taken your daughter to the park? To the cinema? Have you gone for a walk together? Do you know how she’s doing in her studies? There are thousands of aspects that form true parenting — none of which involve searching through her phone.
Even with your spouse, either you trust them or you don’t.
If you don’t trust your spouse and feel compelled to monitor them, the issue lies not in their phone but in your relationship and behavior.
In my own home, when my phone rings, I might say, “Could you please bring me my phone?” My phone has a case — like a small notebook — but my children never open it to check who’s calling. Why? Because I have never done that to them. I have never looked into their phones, their closets, or their rooms. I have never allowed myself to invade their privacy.
All of these things are part of law, order, and discipline — principles we must learn and live by. Upbringing is not intrusion. Because no matter how clever or careful you try to be, people will always find ways to outsmart and deceive you.
In my opinion, no trick or manipulation ever truly works. The greatest and most effective strategy in life is honesty. No amount of deception can ever equal the power of truth. Honesty and sincerity are what truly matter.
That is why maintaining order, discipline in our relationships is so vitally important.
It all depends on how a guide treats their pupils — the same kind of behavior will be reflected back to them. I will never forget the first time I appeared on Channel 5, back in 1998 or 1999, during the national “Anti-Narcotics Week.” It was a live television program, and several medical specialists were present. During that program, I openly stated for the first time that I used to be an addict, and that the existing methods of curing addiction were flawed.
May God bless the late Ali-Qoli; he asked me, “Mr. Dezhakam, since you just said you were once addicted, don’t people look down on you? Don’t you feel embarrassed that people might say, ‘you are an engineer and people may say: ‘oh, Mr. Dezhakam, the engineer, has been an addict or they may tell your children: ‘Your father was an addict,’ don’t you feel embarrassed?
I told him, I make people respect me. Not through force or authority — not with a whip — but through my behavior, my actions, and my words. Respect cannot be demanded; it must be earned. We can make people respect us or lose respect for us through how we act and conduct ourselves. If our behavior and conduct are improper, no one will truly respect us.
Order brings clarity and comfort to life. In Congress 60, all branches must start their sessions exactly at 5:00 p.m. If I find out that even one branch starts five minutes late, I immediately replace the agent, border-guards, and other officials. The meeting must start precisely at five o’clock. If the chairperson isn’t present at that time, the secretary immediately steps in and takes over. This level of discipline has made everything easier for us — everyone is now used to punctuality. That’s what order means. Otherwise, one day the meeting would start at 5:30, another day at 5:15, another day at 5:20 — complete disorder.
I once attended a meeting at the Ministry of Interior that was supposed to start at 10 a.m. Ambassadors from various countries were invited. It should have started at ten sharp, but it didn’t — they delayed it because a certain high-ranking official hadn’t yet arrived. It finally began at 10:50. When you announce the meeting starts at ten o’clock — it should start at ten.
Whenever we have a Congress 60 conference scheduled for ten in the morning, I start it exactly at ten. People sometimes say, “So-and-so hasn’t arrived yet.” I reply, “Then they haven’t arrived. We’ll start anyway.” That’s what order and discipline means. Once this principle is followed, everything becomes easier for everyone.
There are times when you must not act emotionally but rationally. For instance, our recovery period is ten months. Since the founding of Congress 60, not once have I granted “liberation from addiction” to a single person who was even one day short of the ten-month mark. Some have traveled long distances — from Bushehr, for example — spending a great deal of time, effort, and money to be present, yet if they are one day short, I say, “I will not grant it.” They protest, “But I came all the way from Bushehr!” I reply, “It doesn’t matter where you came from — if you’re one day short, I can’t do it.”
That’s discipline. If I granted liberation [from addiction] even one day early, soon it would become two days, then three, then four — and everything would fall apart. Now, everyone knows the rule and feels comfortable with it. If a guide checks and sees that a student is even one day short, they are sure that Mr. Dezhakam won’t grant it.” [they have to wait to pass the required time of ten months].
The forms and papers you bring — in the past, some didn’t include photographs, and yet we still granted their certificates of liberation. That soon became a trend. So, we established a rule: from now on, no photo, no liberation from addiction.
Now, let me emphasize another important point: pay attention from this moment onward. Some people submit forms with multiple photos — one on the 30-CD form, another on the liberation form, another on the 40-CD form — but these pictures are often from twenty or thirty years ago! Your photos must be recent and identical across all documents, because no file is accepted without proper photos. This too is part of discipline.
If we start signing files that lack photos, everyone will start doing it. If we make exceptions — for instance, granting liberation even one day before ten months — everyone will learn to expect leniency. The same goes for the transcription of CDs. If we are careless about it, everyone will follow that pattern.
Sometimes a guide reports to me, “My pupil hasn’t written twenty CDs.” I ask, “Then what kind of guide are you? Why didn’t you dismiss him from the legion? Why did you bring him here without fulfilling the requirements?” The guide answers, “I told him many times.” I reply, “You should have removed him. I will not accept him.”
I am now drafting a written rule for this — when someone fails to transcribe the required CDs, their case will be referred to the marzban (border-guards). But often, the marzbans also say, “Alright, let’s forgive him this time; go and transcribe them next time.” Then the same person fails again. For those who repeatedly neglect their duties, we must establish and enforce a clear rule.
I’ve said before: In Congress 60, we do not accept illiteracy. And look how many have become literate — people aged fifty, sixty, even seventy years old have learned to read and write, all because of discipline. Many of them later thank God for it. Some used to say, “I can’t transcribe CDs.” I would tell them, “Then I cannot accept you.”
Once, a man came whose hands were both amputated from the wrists. Yet he transcribed forty CDs and submitted them. I asked, “How did you write them?” He said, “I placed a cushion in front of me, lay down, held two pens between my arms, and transcribed the CDs that way.” That is discipline.
We do not make exceptions. Some people behave like ostriches [in Persian, Shotor-Morgh, which means a camel-size hen, Shotor means camel and Morgh means hen], when an ostrich is told to carry a load, it says, “But I’m a bird”; when told to fly, it says, “But I’m a camel.” For a while it even became fashionable to make excuses: “I’m not literate,” “I’m only semi-literate,” “I have MS,” “My hands tremble — I can’t write.” I tell them clearly: “If you want to be part of the system of Congress 60, you must commit to this work. The body, the mind, and worldview — worldview requires transcribing CDs, just as body requires the opium tincture (OT) treatment.”
If you can do it — welcome. If not — you may leave. That’s what discipline means.
If someone’s file is missing even one photograph — even if they’ve come all the way from another province — I say, “Go back; I won’t grant your liberation from addiction.” Not because I’m harsh or vengeful, but because discipline matters.
Discipline spreads through every level of an organization — it is contagious, just like a disease. But so is disorder. Disorder spreads quickly; so does order. It all depends on how you apply it. If you enforce discipline, it will take root. If you don’t, it never will.
The discipline that exists in Congress 60 is like the power of a giant millstone—a vast, steady, grinding stone that turns endlessly and refines everything placed beneath it. It grinds the wheat into fine flour, and if a pebble happens to fall in, that too will be ground to dust. The meaning is profound: within this system, everything finds its proper order through the force of discipline.
Everyone here is, metaphorically, all Congress 60 members are like wolves “in the hunting ground”, yet within this system, they remain calm and peaceful. Outside of Congress 60, many might live with aggression, deceit, or chaos—but when they enter this environment, their demeanor changes completely. They lower their heads, behave respectfully, and conform to order, because the atmosphere of discipline is contagious and transformative. Just like that massive millstone, it slowly but surely shapes everyone who comes near it.
I remember one of the members from the early days—a very polite, pleasant young man who often accompanied me when we visited different branches. We never ask about one’s religion or job. For a long time, I didn’t ask about his background, but one day curiosity got the better of me. I said, “Amir, what was your job before?” He smiled and said, “I was a robber.” I asked, “What do you mean by that?” He replied, “We used to carry machetes and go to drug dealers pretending to buy opium or heroin. We’d take their goods, use the machetes blade, and run.”
I was shocked. I could never have imagined that this calm, well-mannered man had once lived such a life. But the truth is—he was that “pebble” that entered the great millstone, and under the pressure of discipline, he was transformed into fine flour. That is the power of order and structure; it refines the roughest stone into purity.
One of the reasons Congress 60 has reached this level of harmony and respect is precisely because of this culture of discipline. When something is established here, everyone follows it. That collective commitment is what makes the system strong.
Even in countries like the United States, discipline is highly valued. I once read that President Trump gathered his generals and dismissed those who were overweight. His reasoning was simple: How can a general lead troops if he cannot discipline himself? No general should be forty or fifty kilos overweight. I jokingly said, “Perhaps he has learned that rule from Congress 60!” because here, too, no one who is obese can become a guide. If you are physically unfit, you cannot be a role model of discipline for others. This, too, is part of order.
Today, Congress 60 operates smoothly — without conflict, without argument, without resistance — all because of this underlying system of order and self-control.
I was speaking with Amin recently, and I told him: I believe the average lifespan of Congress 60 members is fifteen to twenty years longer than that of the general population. One day, this will be scientifically proven. Why? Because:
• They have completely stopped using drugs.
• They have returned to full physical health.
• They have quit smoking entirely.
• They control their weight—since every kilogram of excess weight shortens one’s life by about a year.
• They eat consciously: fruits, vegetables, eggs, and nutritious meals.
• They avoid alcohol and pills.
• They engage in regular exercise and maintain cleanliness, neatness, and dignity in dress and behavior.
• And their worldview has changed, they speak truthfully, avoid deceit, and reject greed or manipulation.
Just today, for example, I granted twenty recoveries from Jones’s legion (weight loss and proper eating legion) and nineteen from cigarettes. The number of recoveries from overweight will surpass the number of liberations from addiction [using the DST method] in the near future.
All these transformations—physical, mental, and moral—are born from discipline, order, and respect.
Thirty kilograms of excess weight means a disorder in physiology; it is a disorder in physiology! You sit, and you cannot lift yourself from the ground. Thirty kilograms of excess weight is like having three bags of rice on your shoulders, on your head; it is a disorder in physiology; this is what excess weight means. Smoking cigarettes means a disorder in the respiratory system; you introduce smoke and toxins into your lungs, blackening your lungs with cigarettes. Drugs are a disorder in physiology and many other things.
In any case, what we need is to reach a general conclusion: we must definitely observe discipline, the guide must be present on time at Congress 60, men who speak with women should know what they are saying. They must be careful with their words. Women who speak with men should also keep this in mind. These are a set of social etiquettes, which we will discuss in the etiquette section. We must observe these.
So, when talking with our relatives, our friends, or our colleagues, we must speak differently with each person; it is not correct to say: “I make no distinction, I am honest, it makes no difference to me whether it is a king, a minister, or a cleaner.” Why does it make no difference? It makes a big difference. A cleaner’s job is hard work, a very honorable job; they work from dawn for minimal pay and are fully respectable. But you cannot speak the same way with everyone. You speak differently with your teacher, differently with your student, differently with an official, and differently with your friend. It is different everywhere. Every word has its place, and every point has its time [a verse of poem by Hafez Shirazi]. We must learn this and apply it in our lives. God willing, we will be able to learn discipline and order. Thank you for paying attention to my words.
After the Jones’ guide’s contribution, Mr. Dezhakam added:
Thank you, everything was good; only the part where you said we have to consume “30% protein, 70% carbohydrates”—that is not correct. We do not follow that at all. If I realize that you want to calculate it that way, I will immediately close your legion. That may have been how it was done in the past, but we absolutely do not calculate how much carbohydrate, protein, or fat to consume. No. As I said earlier, we have our breakfast with eggs, eat salad at noon, and whatever we want for our main meal. The same for dinner [first we have to eat salad and half an hour later, we eat dinner]. If we start getting into calculations, it ruins everything. So, if I have said it somewhere beforehand, just remove it right now, we no longer calculate how much protein we are taking today, how many calories—we don’t. Let us live our lives normally.
Anyway, you are a very good guide. I also congratulate your students. The interesting point here is that the same program we implemented—30 kilograms, 40 kilograms, 70 kilograms of weight loss—the same program was followed, and it resulted in weight gain. This shows that the body is intelligent and knows what to do. It is really remarkable. The important point is that whatever the body consumes, it either loses weight or gains weight accordingly. This is an important point: the system is completely intelligent.
After the contributions about the agenda, the secretary election was held to assign the three new secretaries for the next 14 sessions [the first for the first seven sessions, the second for six sessions and the last one [the reserve secretary] for one session].
https://www.congress60.org/News/445374/%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-%D9%86%D8%B8%D9%85-%D8%A7%D9%86%D8%B6%D8%A8%D8%A7%D8%B7-%D9%88-%D8%A7%D8%AD%D8%AA%D8%B1%D8%A7%D9%85-%D8%AF%D8%B1-%DA%A9%D9%86%DA%AF%D8%B1%D9%87-60
Translated by Elahe