Kornelia is co-leading the Diamond Heart Europe 4 group (DHE4), which is now open to new members. We interviewed her to find out more about her journey with the Diamond Approach and also about DHE4.
1. How did you first find the Diamond Approach?
In 1995, two teachers of mine recommended to me some books from Hameed, and I bought The Void and Essence. It was Christmas. In January, three weeks later, I knew – together with my partner – this was our next step. It was completely clear.
2. When you were starting out, what were some of the challenges that came up for you?
I was pregnant, and so when we decided to join the new group forming in Europe, I couldn’t participate at the beginning. I needed to find my way with having two children, so it wasn’t possible to be present every group meeting. I also didn’t have time for daily practice; being a mother, it wasn’t possible. But I would remember, when I turned on the water tap, to start sensing my arms and legs. [This is one of the main practices of the Diamond Approach. -Ed.]
3. What has kept you engaged with the Diamond Approach teachings?
There was never an end to being interested! I observed the teachers and the organization, around the question of integrity—I had been engaged in another spiritual path earlier, where things had turned strange. I knew the teaching was good, but were the teachers good people? Were they truthful? Did they have integrity? That was something I observed was true. And I had a chance to meet Hameed, because I helped organize the Quasar retreats. Meeting Hameed and Karen was very confirming.
I also appreciate that the Diamond Approach is open-ended and respectful to every other path. You can have a realization, but you don’t take it completely seriously—it is one realization among many possibilities. It has this kind of open-endedness, and also there’s humility and simplicity because it’s just one realization among many. Also, as the Diamond Approach says, it’s just a concept—and a concept can also break down! It’s not believing that that is the absolute truth.
4. What advice would you share with someone who is interested in attending an introductory event?
I would invite them to try out inquiry; inquiry is quite intelligent in the way it is a combination of holding and freedom, so that everyone can be himself or herself. Try it out, and see if there is a correspondence with the flow of your soul.
5. Tell us a little bit about the new DHE4 group that you think might feel relevant to someone who is considering trying it out.
We have open inquiry evenings, at no cost, where people can come to check out not only our group but the Diamond Approach in general, and see if there is resonance.
With DHE4, our original plan was to meet in person at a very nice retreat center in the North of Germany, where I have been going for 26 years. The field there is very supportive for our practice. We are looking forward to being in person again, and have that support of the environment for our group's field. The group is international—with several nationalities—and we have many young people in the group, as well as older. It’s a nice mix that’s quite beautiful. We plan to have two retreats a year, for a week each. There may be some talks in between, and possibiltities for meeting online.
6. How do you see the Diamond Approach helping humanity and the planet?
In my twenties I was engaged politically, and wanted to change the world and make it better; then there was a moment when I felt “No, I can only change myself; I need to find peace in myself." And that was the start of my spiritual journey. I stopped trying to change people. It was about becoming peaceful, friendly, and heartful. And that is the contribution of the Diamond Approach: to have personal transformation. Every student becomes a field of more freedom.
Learn more about the next DHE4 open inquiry evening, or learn about the open DHE4 group.