PG: Why is the Peace Village called "Odali Utugi", and what is the significance of this name?
Dhyani: We call the Peace Village "Odali Utugi" or "Hope Mountain", so that people will have hope in their hearts to know that peace is possible. In a traditional sense, by coming to a "peace village," people can correct attitudes of mind and behavior which create suffering. The Peace Village assists each individual to come again to right relationship. The Peace Village is also like a dimensional doorway for people’s continued prayer. It is a generator of energy for many beings. On the Peace Village, the past, the present and the future can be revealed, especially in the Arbor.
When people come here, they have the chance to give thanks for the gift of life, and pray for the removal of suffering and illness. Remarkable teachers come here, people who are very rare and extraordinary. They really feel the pulse of the land and they very generously energize the manifestation of the Peace Village by their very presence and their support over so many years.
PG: What kind of things would you like to see developed?
Dhyani: First of all, I would like to see community members work together to grow some food and create their own kind of banking system so that 20% of the food that’s grown, and whatever people earn, is put aside for community needs in the future. These resources would be available in case someone is ill, or in case we want to have a big ceremony or gathering. A real sense of community comes when people pool some of their resources, their time and their energy, and are accountable to each other. The Peace Village is a symbol of what a real village is; a community of like-minded people who are willing to work together in a cooperative way.
Among indigenous people the most important thing you have is your word. It is important that people are accountable and say, "I will do this. I will follow through." For non-native people, to come to understand the importance of the word is a process. I talk about these principles in greater detail in "Voices of Our Ancestors."
PG: So, as a community we need to view our word and action as inseparable?
Dhyani: Yes. This is really the growing edge
for people who are involved; to make that transition so that thought, word and
action are consistent—that people really walk their talk. Everyone who’s part of
our community, everyone who walks the Earth, has a responsibility to return
things. This is the growing edge for people to understand.
PG: So the Peace Village returns energy to the Earth?
Dhyani: The Peace Village returns energy to the whole universe. During some of the ceremonies you can actually see the webs of light growing all around. It’s amazing.
PG: How does the Peace Village effect peacemaking in far away places where there’s a lot of war, like Bosnia or Africa?
Dhyani: One way our activities reach out to the international community is through direct consultancy, sharing methods of peacemaking with communities throughout the world. But, the most significant way we benefit the Earth is through the medicine. Through the lay lines of the earth, through the atmosphere, we directly impact the energy of the environment through our prayerful activity.
If someone wants to test the idea that their thoughts have a connection to the environment, they can experiment at home with two plants. Tell one plant you love it and are thankful for it, and tell another plant it's ugly. See what happens.