Q. Previously you spoke of a deteriorating society and the urgency to restructure the community*. Is your monastic initiative part of that strategy?

* See "The First Steps"

A. Compare it with the Dark Ages where the Roman Empire collapsed. Only through the founding of monasteries European culture could be saved. I indeed think, that the current situation is comparable.

Q. What is the central idea behind it?

A. That all compassionate action originates from the Source. Hence, the foundation being a contemplative life - continuously returning to the Origin - while subsequently committing yourself to the suffering of the world.

Q. In a time of progressive individualism, in which "everybody knocks together" his or her own religion, the Reborn Order with its monastic rule seems to be an anachronistic initiative.

A. Inner and outer necessities very soon will totally change this picture. Deep down the suffering of being alienated is tremendous. People long for Wholeness on all levels of existence. The Reborn Order meets these needs by offering "Unity in Diversity".  

Q. How to achieve "unity" in a world, that is totally disoriented?

A. The world is dominated by collective self-addiction. Because you don't know true fullfilment, you need more, more and more. It is suicidal. So, to kick off the habit is of utmost priority. By allowing your pain to enter your innermost core, the cry for becoming healed is unstoppable. It is a matter of life or death. You HAVE to go within to find your Original Wholeness.

Q. Can't you do this "on your own". Why joining a monastic order?

A. The Reborn Order is for all those, who deep down understand, that there is no such thing like "individual salvation". We are all interconnected, hence longing for Wholeness spontaneously includes "all sentient and non-sentient beings"*.

* See "The First Steps"

Q. That obviously plays a major role with regard to your policy of admittance.

A. That's right. Only those who subordinate their own Self-realisation to the Healing of the entire Planet are welcomed as potential members of he Order.

Q. So, a strong motivation being a conditio sine qua non.

A. The survival of the world - as we know it - is at stake. That means, that only the best are good enough to fullfil the role as forerunners/leaders. "The best" in the sense of selflessly dedicating yourself to the common cause. Your drive should be "serving the Whole".

Q. What criteria are used?

A. Think of one of our Guidelines: "Strive for Enlightenment, restructure your life and serve others". Obviously, surrendering to the Great Mother is the ultimate guarantee for continuous renewal.

Q. Furthermore?

A. Read the 7 Guidelines of the previous page. Add to it, that you should have mastered your major personal and relational problems to a considerable extent; that you can prove to have contributed to the wellbeing of others, while not having any debts, certain problems with the judiciary system and the like.

Q. Other monastic groups are rapidly deteriorating. What makes you so sure, that your initiative will flower?

A. Starting point should be our existential suffering: being cut off from reality: our True Self, our strength, our bodies and nature, our suppressed emotions, femininity, love and sex. If you don't, then you are only repeating mantra's from the past. The old orders have indeed no future.

Q. Because they identify with images, concepts, ideas, dogma's, symbols and ambitions, only?

A. They revere a concept of God, rather than Its Reality. If, on the other hand, you relate to the Living Source - The Great Mother - everything will be continuously regenerated.

Q. Would that mean, that you have to be a "believer" right from the start?

A. Every tradition has preserved a memory of the Original Mother. Think of "Nirvana" in Buddhism (besides Kuan Yin), MatriDevi in Hinduism, the Madonna in Christianity, Tao in Taoism, Hokhmah in Judaism, Allah in His (Her!) aspect of Mercy and even Atheists with their concept of Nothingness.

Q. Which means?

A. That you only have to (re)connect to the feminine principle in your own tradition to discover, that we are all connected. It is a sound foundation for joining the Reborn Order.

Q. How is that reflected in daily worship?

A. The Eternal Feminine is Source of interconnectedness and bonding. She represents love, care, inclusiveness, durability, respect, justice and cooperation. That makes a monastic order based on a feminine world view different from all existing ones. Thus, f.i. our Shrine includes images from all traditions, so do prayers. A truly interreligious practice. 

Q. Do you have sources from which you have got inspiration?   

A. The foundation is The Original Tradition with the Great Mother/Goddess/Green Man mythology. These theme is widespread, not only in Western culture, but in other cultures as well. It found its successors in Celtic, Hellenistic, Roman, Gnostic, Christian and even Islamic traditions.

Q. Could you give some examples of other cultures?

A. Our policy is, that every culture reconnects to its own tradition. If people from India want to found a Transformatorium it will be eager to relate to their (matri-centered) mythology. The same is true for the rest of Asia, Africa, Latin America (f.i. Indios) and so forth. It depends on them what priorities they want to emphasize.

Q. Would you like to see Transformatoria in the Third World, as well?

A. Absolutely. However, not with the intention of bringing our Western "culture" to them. In many ways they are the teachers. Our first prove of true solidarity will be to adapt our lifestyle to theirs. Our whole effort, furthermore, will consist in helping them to restore their core values, spirituality, integrity, health, self-reliance, community life and co-prosperity.

Q. So, Transformatoria will reflect a whole range of different options.

A. Right. Besides a common denominator, shared by all, our monasteries could f.i. be focussing on nature conservation, taking responsibility for the saving of bio-diversity. However, they simultaneously could contribute to offering a meaningful life to our youth, to the elderly or to women groups, as well.   

Q. Are there any similarities with existing monastic institutions?

A. We have an open mind toward all our predecessors. In that sense we try to connect to the existing tradition. At the same time our approach is "innovative", based on a totally new spirit, vision and commitment. We have the secret of transforming decline into renewal. F.i. wearing a green cape/poncho used to be something unknown thusfar (laughing).       

Q. As you said above, the Reborn Order has "two faces", one within and one without. Could you explain a little further?

A. This is indeed its core aspect. You see, deep down there is a realization, that in order to heal the world, you have to continuously go back the the Source where all healing is orginating. Religious people would say: "we cooperate with the Mother's Work of Salvation".

Q. Dying to the old in order to become reborn?

A. Exactly. Insight into the Essence of the Mother is crucial. In Her Vacuum everything old, sick and ugly is destroyed, in favor of renewal on all levels of existence. In particular, nowadays, accumulations of all kind are not tolerated anymore. Spiritual life, therefore, means cooperating with the "Law of the Universe".

Q. Are you optimistic, that people will be attracted to a life, in which they have to leave behind many aspects of modern life?

A. People increasingly get crazy of "modern life". They have to cope with countless concerns, that have been all imposed upon them. Think of mortgage, employment, two job families, finances, the overkill of (trivial) information, lack of perspective e.g. meaning of life. That's why they get stressed, dumb, depressed or burn-out.

Q. You mean, they would welcome your initiative.

A. I indeed think that countless people - if they had the chance - immediately would favour a more simple life. A life centered on real values, joy and fullfilment. Because many cannot cope with the increasing deterioration, they certainly would welcome a structure - like our monastic rule - which helps them to redefine their purpose of life, as well.   

Q. Back to the Source!

A. Right. Once your New Self has been born, you subsequently become part of Her web of life - Heaven, earth and the (new) community - once again. The Reborn Order is taking the lead by putting this into practice, showing mankind the direction to which it has to go, if it wants to survive.

Q. As I have understood, there are two possibilities of joining the Reborn Order.

A. Correct. There are "settlers" and "nomads". Both are called Wise Women and Green Men, having received the same training*. Some constitute the core of the monastery, managing the daily life of the community, while the latter have found their mission in serving/educating people worldwide. 

* See "Universal Training"   

Q. What is the procedure in case I want to join?

A. Traditionally, monastic orders used to require a candidate (novice) to spend considerable time in adjusting him/herself to the life of the community. However, considering the fact, that we have only a decade to prevent the worst of climate change, we don't have much time, anymore.

Q. What does that mean, practically?

A. Candidates spend half a year in noviciat, committing themselves to the daily monastic schedule, based on The Integral Way* and the life of the community. After this period of time, they will be offering the possibility of receiving the "Universal Training"**. This will include 7 more weeks.

* See "The Integral Way"

** See "Universal Training"

Q. You call your centers "Transformatoria". How will they look like and where they will be founded?

A. In the chapter "Transformatorium" you will find a description*. It is adjusted to Western culture, hence the prominence of Celtic spirituality. However, as said above, Transformatoria founded in other parts of the world will certainly relate to their own cultural background. In all cases, the common principles remain the same, though.

* See "Transformatorium"

Q. Such as?

A. A life of worship, meditation, simplicity and service in solidarity with the poorest of the earth. All Transformatoria share a common planning e.g. architecture, like simple round houses in a circle around the sanctuary, which is a copy of an ancient passage-tomb, everything on sound ecological foundations.

Q. Could you elaborate?

A. To set an example is of utmost priority. Many people have lost perspective, lost hope that renewal can be possible. Hence, making things visible, tangible, is something that has to spread all over the globe. Obviously, to become part of nature, once again is crucial, hence our emphasis on natural health, organic agriculture and renewable energy.

Q. How will the project be financed?

A. Every community is self-reliant and has to finance its own project, while an annual percentage of all revenues is transferred to the Headquarters (HQ). Apart from the common shared 7 Principles, some additional central guidelines and the above-mentioned training, members make their own rules according to basic community democratic principles e.g. consent.    

Q. Furthermore?

A. The communities have to finance their projects through donations themselves, acquired through their service - Spiritual Service, Health Service and Community Service - offered to the people. Once you decide to become Green Man or Wise Woman, you are expected to donate generously, according to your level of wealth.

Q. What about the gender problem?

A. Gender is a delight, not a problem. We are problably the only one, who favour a definition of gender according to "Cosmic Law". In which masculinity is corresponding with "death and rebirth", while femininity is reflecting "the web of life". Healthy relationships evolve, when women occupy a power base in community, while men turn to serving the whole.

Q. How would hat work out in your monasteries?

A. Patriarchy has had a devastating impact of minds and hearts of people. Not in the least on woman's minds. Originally, being an emancipation of their "animus", they have almost entirely adjusted to a life of self-centeredness, greed and ambition. This is our starting point. It means, that men and women will be treated totally equal, letting life decide how relationships will further develop.

Q. What are the possibilities for those who have families and/or children?

A. Obviously, the Mother favours love-relationships and having children. So, provided the daily schedule will be fully observed, personal problems don't get the upper hand and a surplus value is generated to pursue our mission, personal relationships are included. Unfortunately, the intensity of our commitment makes having children impossible.   

Q. Sad indeed!

A. Very much so. But don't forget: we very much commit ourselves to the wellbeing of (deprived) children worldwide. Moreover, our friends e.g. support circles, together with their families and children are always very much welcome to visit us, whenever we have time.

Q. Where can future candidates find more information?

A. Well, this entire website is at their disposal. Start with the beginning and follow your particular interest. You will certainly find where you are looking for.

Q. Thanks very much for your time.

A. You are welcome!

Mother's Blessing,

Han Marie Stiekema         
Initiator, teacher, supervisor

Mantra
"May I, through Your Bottomless Darkness,
become profoundly renewed"

"Möge ich, durch Ihre Bodenlose Dunkelheit,
von Grund auf erneuert werden"

"Moge ik, door Uw Bodemloze Duisternis,
ten diepste vernieuwd worden"