SOCIETY Monday, January 18, 1999
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«We do not control anybody in our movement. Everyone is free to apply our teachings the way they want!». This is what Tri-Thien Nguyen, the head of Human and Universal Energy (Spiritual Human Yoga, SHY) center of francophone Switzerland sticks to. Free will is the foundation of the movement. He had to deal single-handedly with first international SHY congress organized in Geneva, subbing off the cuff for Master Dang, the movement guru arrested on Friday in Brussels (Le Temps of 16.1.99). «All you need is to look around, exclaims Nguyen referring to the crowd that filled hall 7 of Geneva's Palexpo center. All these people are different. Everyone can have very different conclusions about today's presentations.»
The diversity of the public is stunning. At first, it's hard to figure out what unites these 6000 adepts: Hindus in yellow head-dresses or Africans in jackets, old wrinkled ladies or younger generation. All of them have lined up together. Absence of Master Dang doesn't seem to cause particular emotions, order prevails. A slight disappointment is present of not being able to listen to his teachings as most have come to meet him.
The Master is absent, but his writings replace him. Publications of his seminal transcripts, as well as those of some disciples are going away as hot cakes, for a few dozen US dollars each. One can find there T-shirts, caps and colorful bags to transport small plastic pyramid, an essential element of advanced level meditation. The texts sound scientific: in vitro studies of energy effect on cancer cells, autobiographic descriptions of witnesses. Some books touch on the changes to take place on Earth before the end of the year. Differences in this echoes to the diversity of the people in the crowd.
One lady from Mexico believes the end of the world is out of doubt. She is getting ready to climb to high places to escape the cataclysms. «The waters will rise, the sky gates will open up! The course of events can be reversed thanks to Energy and our privileged relationship with God.» Nothing of the kind is shared by a Saint-Laurent clothed businessman from Paris. «That's misinterpretation. Master Dang never spoke of such things. But no one can prevent people from fantasizing. Energy is a technique. I use it to keep well myself and help others. In complement to traditional medicine approaches, of course. I would never tell a sick person to refuse medical treatment!» For him and accompanying group from Paris, rationalism is primary. «One day, we will understand how this energy functions and we will integrate it into our scientific theories. For the time being, it's experimentation.» This Cartesian discourse is in sharp contrast to the statements of a Vietnamese emigre to US: «Once I discovered Energy, I don't need to go to doctor any longer. Cancer, AIDS - I can treat them all. No more need to pay for insurance. Just imagine how much I save with 5 kids in my family!»
Speeches continue to be delivered from the stage. Spirituality, Energy, Einstein, 4th dimension: very diverse concepts intermingle adding to a somewhat confused understanding of the doctrine which is satisfactory to expectations of everyone in the crowd in one way or the other. Content, the public doesn't seem to want asking questions. Some take notes, others nod their heads. Policemen in civilian stroll somewhat lost, puzzled by a movement with such fuzzy contours.
Tri-Thien Nguyen announced that 12 teaching centers in francophone Switzerland have no further reason for existence as the number of instructors is now sufficient; 8000 people can certainly transfer their knowledge to all and any way they wish, without any control. SHY movement is on expansion.
